By Mary Perez and Anita Lee | SunHerald | Updated March 13, 2026 9:16 PM
It’s been called Gulfport Town Center yet the actual name of the $105 million mixed use development coming to the beach and downtown will be revealed at next week’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The groundbreaking event will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 20.
Led by AnderCorp LLC and Bellamare Development, the project at the northwest corner of U.S. 90 and 49 will combine luxury residences, shopping, dining and a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel on 4.34 acres. It will be within walking distance of the beach, the downtown, Amtrak station, Mississippi Aquarium and Jones Park.
The project was talked about and planned for years and now construction is under way at one of the most historic sites in the city., where the landmark Great Southern Hotel stood.
“Gulfport Town Center will bring new residents, visitors and economic energy to our city while honoring the legacy of this historic site,” said Mayor Hugh Keating. All areas of the city will experience growth and benefits from the development, he said.
What’s in the plans
Developers started assembling land for the project in 2020 and site work began five years later in December 2025. AnderCorp will start construction of phase I that will include:
136 luxury apartments with a resort-style pool, fitness center, community room for gatherings and co-working
294 space parking garage to serve residents, hotel guests and downtown visitors
EV charging stations and valet for the development and the downtown
17,600 square feet of retail and restaurant space at street level
Hotel Holden, a 114-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel, with ballroom and meeting space
Rooftop bar overlooking the Gulf.
Mississippi focus
Marriott Tribute Portfolio brand will reflect the culture and identify of Gulfport at the new hotel that will be operated by McKibbon Hospitality. The company has years of experience developing and operating high-quality hospitality destinations throughout the Southeast.
AnderCorp, a construction firm based in Gulfport, is general contractor for the project and Dale Partners Architects, which has designed projects across South Mississippi, is leading the hotel architecture and design, while WBA Architecture, another Mississippi firm, is designing the multifamily and parking garage design.
Rain Residentail, based in Ocean Springs, is branding the project and will be the project manager for the apartment complex.
The development is a public-private partnership to expand economic opportunity in South Mississippi, with funding and investments provided in part by the Mississippi Legislature and the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund, in collaboration with the city and Gulfport Redevelopment Commission.
Start of something bigger
The parking garage is expected to be completed this year and the apartments, hotel, dining and retail throughout 2027.
The Town Center, which soon will have a new name, is the first phase of establishing downtown Gulfport as a mixed-use district where generations of residents, business owners and visitors can live, work and gather.
Roy Anderson III, chairman and CEO of AnderCorp and co-developer of Gulfport Town Center, grew up in Gulfport and built businesses across South Mississippi.
“For more than five years we’ve worked with partners and community leaders to shape a project that reflects the vision of creating a true quality of place for downtown, and we’re proud that AnderCorp will help build it right here in the heart of our city,” he said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 2:12 PM by the SunHerald