BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Nearly 20 years after the city of Biloxi approved plans to build a community, development is finally moving forward.
Ten homes are currently being built behind the old E-Fitness building on Tribe Drive. Eventually, 50 will be built and sold to people 55 and older. The development is now known as The Retreat.
“This is the first community, to my knowledge, that is specifically made up of individual homes for seniors,” said Jerry Creel, Biloxi’s director of community development. “I think a lot of people are going to rush to these homes to take advantage of all the other amenities that will be available there when they’re finished.”
Back in 2006, the city of Biloxi approved a planned construction project that would include houses, an apartment and commercial space. Phase one of the project was the E-Fitness gym.
In 2016, the owner took no further action to move forward with the next steps of the development and closed the fitness center. The property lay vacant until Lodging & Leisure Investments, LLC purchased it in 2022.
The company is currently using the old gymnasium as office space. Last week it obtained permits to build its first senior living facility.
“We believe the right developers have acquired this property,” Creel added. “We believe they will create something that everyone will be impressed with when it’s finished. It will add extra dynamism to this area.”
WLOX News has reached out to Lodging & Leisure Services for comment.
“This land has been a quiet part of our community for a very long time,” said Tessy Lambert, the company’s chief marketing officer. “It is truly an honor to breathe new life into it with The Retreat.”
She points out the central location and proximity to Biloxi High School and the AJ Holloway Sports Complex.
“You’re close to everything. If you have grandchildren who play sports in Biloxi, you’re right there and centrally located in the heart of Biloxi.”
Plans for an apartment complex and commercial retail have not yet been submitted to the city of Biloxi, and developers have not commented on when that might happen.
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