For 91 years young, the grande dame of downtown Natchez has retained her shape well through the years.

From the outside, you can still see the beauty that made her so stunning in her prime.

And inside, with the swing of a demolition hammer, her insides are getting ready for a rejuvenation that will restore her underlying beauty.

Developers recently began in earnest the first stages of the renovation work at the historic Natchez Eola Hotel.

The building was constructed in 1927 and has been closed since 2014.

The Eola stands proudly on the corner of Main and Pearl Streets, right in the heart of downtown Natchez.

Indeed her towering presence serves as a cornerstone of downtown.

And while watching some of the demolition occur is painful at times to watch, we must trust that the hotel that will result from the work will again impress downtown Natchez and live up to the legacy of the Eola.

We applaud developers for working their plan and for investing in downtown Natchez.

The Eola is needed in Natchez and downtown has felt a little empty in the years since she closed.

We look forward to seeing the hotel operational again soon.