Jackson Free Press

The Roberts Companies, the family owned-and-operated holding company of local television station CW34 and radio station 97.7FM WRBJ, announced today that its Roberts Hotels Group has acquired the 80-year old Edison-Walthall hotel out of bankruptcy.

The downtown Jackson hotel will undergo a $10 million renovation and be unveiled under its new name, the Roberts Vista Hotel. The acquisition is the 12th hotel for the group, headquartered in St. Louis. The Roberts brothers have also been involved in high-profile bids for other properties in Jackson's downtown including the King Edward Hotel and the Standard Life Building.

The hotel will remain open while the renovations are completed.

Previous Commentsshow

Roberts Vista Hotel? Are they serious? Why not simply ^The Walthall?` I can possibly understand the new owners wanting to append their name to the hotel, but the Vista part is meaningless. Unfortunately, the name is about all the Walthall has left....

tombarnes

Aug 12 2008

Vista brings to mind Microsoft, which isn't good. It just has no name recognition here. No one knows who "Roberts" is.

Ironghost

Aug 12 2008

People please stop complaining about a name, the name sure didn't have enough clout to draw people and keep it up and running. I smell change in the air. We should be thanking these brothers for investing in our growing city, instead we are trying to give them a history lesson. I like the diversity of people investing in Jackson. I smell change in the air. Along with the new JSU Union, Jacktown its beginning to look a lot like christmas.

NewJackson

Aug 12 2008

The only smell in Jackson's air is the Mayor's corruption. Name means alot. No one will know the Roberts Vista, but they do remember the Edison Wathall. Eh, whatever.

Ironghost

Aug 12 2008

I think anytime a person invest in a property especially this city they should be able to name it anything they wanted. I have stayed in hotels all over this country for business, conventions and vacations. It did not matter what the mname of the hotel was it's the cleanliness and comfort I look for. Most people just want their room to be clean, comfortable and secure. It helps if it is also modern with electronic outlets. Who has time to care about the history of a hotel when they are on business or convention. People on vacation already do their reserch and stay where the hotel meets their needs. Go Robert Brothers.

jada

Aug 12 2008

It'll always be the Edison Walthall to me, just like "Cool Al's" is still Stamp's. I am not good at keeping up with changing names in the business world. Heck, my cell phone still says "Cingular" and I tell people that's who my service is with. The name doesn't really matter as much as what's inside. I hope that the new Edison will just add to the ever-growing excitement downtown.

andi

Aug 12 2008

No one knows who "Roberts" is. The way things are going for them, people will eventually know.

LatashaWillis

Aug 12 2008

On second thought, I can certainly understand why the new owners would not care to have the name of a Confederate officer on their hotel. Still, the name they have selected does not appear to have much meaning. As for the operation of the hotel, I`d still think that a more thorough renovation would be necessary.

tombarnes

Aug 13 2008

if someone can buy a hotel for that much money, they can name it whatever they want. for anyone wondering who the robert brothers are, check out their website and see if they meet your approval. http://www.roberts-companies.com/

aquababie

Aug 14 2008

Regardless it is still an exteror corridor motel, albeit they face in. The rooms and bathrooms are undersized and there is no appreciable meeting space. It really should be imploded and a new mixed use go up with Boutique and condo. As is 10.000.000 will be a "paint the pig" on that one. And yes Tom the new owners being African American can not be expected to have the name Walthall on their hotel.

atlntaexile

Aug 14 2008

But...as it stands...the Roberts Brothers have it. so it is what it is....Obvious problems aside, they have pledged to bring the hotel totally back up to its former prominence. And better..It is a piece of the puzzle in downtown and we need to get behind the Roberts Brothers(who have shown their dedication to hiring local and buying property here) and support. and No..you definitely cant expect them to keep the name Walthall...

Kamikaze

Aug 14 2008

It will be interesting to see what they make of it. Based on their Web site it will be an acceptable product for the market.

atlntaexile

Aug 15 2008