One of downtown Mobile’s major hotels has begun a comprehensive renovation that will give it “a fresh, modern aesthetic” – and a flagship steak-and-seafood restaurant – by early 2024.

Charleston-based Avocet Hospitality, which purchased The Admiral Hotel in June 2022 for a reported $21 million, announced the makeover on Monday. Avocet described The Admiral as “a pillar of Mobile’s community, embodying its history, culture and atmosphere.” Avocet declined to give an estimate of the cost of the renovations.

The hotel opened in 1940 as The Admiral Semmes, and stands on Government Street next to Government Plaza, just a couple of blocks from the Mobile Civic Center. Avocet said its facilities include 156 guest rooms.

The hotel was built in 1940 and has seen some ups and downs in the decades since, including a short stint as a retirement home and several years when it sat dormant after being damaged by Hurricane Frederic in 1979. In the late 1960s, an aspiring songwriter named Jimmy Buffett played in “The Admiral’s Corner” bar for $10 a night plus tips.

The site last underwent a major renovation in 2014. At that time, according to Press-Register accounts, the Hattiesburg-based Thrash Group had purchased the property for a little over $4 million and invested more than $10 million to freshen it up. (Some reports said the makeover cost as much as $27 million.) Distinctive features included a space for active beehives. Following that renovation, the name – a tribute to Confederate military leader Adm. Raphael Semmes – quietly was shortened to The Admiral.

At the time of the 2022 purchase, Avocet signaled an overhaul was likely. An industry publication quoted Avocet founder and president Jon Weitz as referring to the company’s process of “rebirthing” historic hotels.

“Through a grand reimagination, The Admiral plans to bring a fresh, modern aesthetic to the guest rooms and public spaces while embracing Mobile’s rich history and vibrant heritage,” said an Avocet news release. “Each corner of the hotel will tell a story, with nods to the city’s founding and the remarkable figures who shaped its destiny. Prepare to be immersed in an atmosphere of elegance, where the echoes of the past mingle harmoniously with contemporary design of the present.”

According to Avocet, the hotel will remain open as a phased approach is taken to the work. But the hotel’s Corner 251 restaurant will be closed as it is replaced by a new concept, Le Moyne’s Chophouse.

“The location of Corner 251 will become ‘the living room’ of the hotel and an extension of the lobby, while Le Moyne’s will move into the space of the hotel’s previous restaurant, Launch,” said an Avocet statement. “The new restaurant will be a contemporary chophouse serving high-quality cuts, fresh Gulf seafood, and an impressive wine and cocktail selection. Le Moyne’s will have a distinct identity within the property, offering a sophisticated dining experience for both hotel guests and locals.”

“We were thrilled to welcome The Admiral hotel into Avocet Hospitality’s portfolio in June 2022, and as with all of our properties, our commitment is to curate an extraordinary, independent boutique hotel experience that reverberates with the unique spirit of the community it serves,” said Kris Altman, Avocent’s vice president of marketing. “Embarking on this transformational rebirth with The Admiral, our vision is to pay homage to the vibrant city of Mobile’s past and present while seamlessly infusing an elevated design, enriched guest experience, and a sprinkle of Avocet’s signature hospitality magic.”

“As Mobile continues to grow and captivate visitors from all over the globe, I am thrilled to witness the transformative renovation of one of the city’s leading hotels, The Admiral,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, quoted in an Avocet announcement. “This renovation stands as a testament to Mobile’s unwavering commitment to progress while continuing to celebrate its rich heritage, reinforcing this historic city’s status as a premier destination.”

Terell Ham has been selected as General Manager of the hotel.