January 31, 2026

Fairhope Approves Boarding House on Site of Fairhope Hardware Store

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

January 31, 2026

FAIRHOPE, Ala. The Fairhope City Council has approved the building of a boarding house on the Fairhope Hardware property.

The project also includes both public and private restaurants and gathering spaces and will include lodging that will have 26 rooms and a manager’s quarters.

Plans include a restaurant and medical spa on the first floor and a rooftop terrace for occupants and their guests, with documents indicating that the rooftop terrace will include a bar and dining area.

This project is located at 301 Fairhope Ave. and got the green light during their regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Following adjustments and requested changes, Fairhope Planning Commission previously recommended approval on Jan. 5 by a vote of 8-1, sending it to city council for final adoption.

There was some discussion about the rooftop terrace over concerns about enforcement of the city’s zoning ordinances, with city officials citing occupancy and safety concerns. City council approved the proposal under the notion that the rooftop terrace would only be used by people staying at the boarding house and their guests.

Parking in the area continues to be a sticking point but Mike Jeffries, lead project planner, cited that the city parking deck behind the lot has been underutilized and that the boarding house intends to direct guests to park there. Councilwoman Andrea Faust Booth said she spoke with local store owners who said the parking deck is always full at the bottom but never on the second floor.

Councilman Joshua Gammon said that there will be “one hundred percent” people parking on the street overnight, which Councilman Jimmy Conyers said could create a situation that requires a separate action by city officials. Council will wait and see how the situation develops.

The project should get off the ground within the next few months.