Jackson Free Press

Miro Lago can boast of being the first working manager of the King Edward Hotel in more than 40 years, since the business closed its doors in 1967. The King Edward Hotel, which is reopening as a Hilton Garden Hotel, is a fitting place for him, really. Lago, whose whole name is Argimiro Dimas Lago, III (His dad, Argi, used the first part of the name, while Miro took the second part) enjoys putting himself neck-deep in history. Before coming to Jackson, Lago ran a steamboat that cruised along the Mississippi River, was a front office manager in the Ponchartrain Hotel in New Orleans, built in 1927, and also ran the luxurious Maison Dupuy hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter.

"I'm kind of familiar with old buildings," Lago said. "I've worked a lot of hotels, and to get historic property like this—an antique, basically—and have it put into brand new condition is like getting a 1955 Cadillac that's 100-percent restored, and just walking up and starting the engine. It's just an incredible feeling."

Lago's not the only one enthusiastic about the Dec. 17 reopening of the building, a project that cost approximately $89 million and barely survived the countless setbacks of the design phase. The city apologized for the derelict King Edward for decades, and today, countless developers and residents are excited about the transformation the renovation represents to the city. Even the owners of the neighboring Pruet Oil building are installing windows on the side of the building facing the renovated King Edward. The company offered no comment for the new construction, but Lago suspects they are perforating the once-solid westward wall to get a view of something new. If that's the reason, he doesn't blame them.

"This whole area is changing, and I hope to be around long enough to see it evolve. The evolution will happen in stages. The opening of the King Ed and the residents moving in upstairs will help create an atmosphere of growth," Lago said, in reference to the 64 luxury apartments on the upper floors of the building. "As more professionals move in to the area, there will be more and more reason for businesses to pop up around the King Ed. Take a walk down Capitol Street, and businesses are already popping up."

Previous Comments

ID

153753

Comment

As more professionals move in to the area, there will be more and more reason for businesses to pop up around the King Ed. Take a walk down Capitol Street, and businesses are already popping up." Yeah!

Author

QB

Date

2009-11-30T14:23:39-06:00

ID

153776

Comment

I drove by the King last night and peeked inside from the outside. I can't wait til mid-December!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-11-30T16:30:22-06:00