Decatur’s historic McEntire House to be redeveloped as boutique hotel

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Decatur
A rendering of the planned development on the McEntire House property in Decatur. (Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority)

A beloved historic home in Decatur is getting new life! The McEntire House property is set to be redeveloped by Decatur native Libby Sims Patrick, CEO of Sims Patrick Studio in Atlanta. Once complete, the home will serve as the centerpiece of the new boutique hotel, restaurant and event space along the city’s riverfront.

Keep reading to learn more.

About Decatur’s historic McEntire House

Decatur
Decatur’s McEntire House was documented extensively by the Historic American Buildings Survey in the 1930s. (Library of Congress)

McEntire House: 1105 Sycamore St NW, Decatur, AL 35601

Constructed in the 1820s, the McEntire House (also called the Rhea-Burleson-McEntire House) is one of the oldest standing structures in Decatur. During the Civil War, the home was used as headquarters for both Union and Confederate armies, and is one of four buildings that survived the Battle of Decatur in 1864.

Redeveloping the McEntire House

Decatur
A rendering of the planned development on the McEntire House property in Decatur. (Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority)

The historic home was purchased by Libby Sims Patrick, who plans to development the property as a boutique hotel getaway right on the shoreline of the Tennessee River. A native of Decatur, Libby Sims Patrick is the founder and CEO of Sims Patrick Studio—an interior design firm in Atlanta that specializes in hospitality and boutique luxury.

Plans for the development include:

  • A 4,500 square-foot spa and wellness center
  • An event space for 150-200 guests
  • An evening restaurant available by reservation
  • A rooftop bar and lounge
  • A cafe

According to the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority, the historic McEntire House will remain intact to serve as a lobby and museum featuring artifacts from the era.

Once complete, the hotel will be managed by Hay Creek Hotels, an organization that specializes in renovating historic properties for use as boutique hotels and resorts.

The McEntire House development is scheduled to be complete in 2024. Follow @thebamabuzz on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up to date!

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Tennessee native who fell in love with Birmingham during college. Graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2019. Passionate about Birmingham and its continued growth.

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