The 2025 Tammany Award recognizes a business that demonstrated exceptional leadership and drive this past year, stands as a leader in its field and our community, and shows unwavering commitment to the welfare of St. Tammany Parish. This year, the award was presented to Southern Hotel and accepted by Lisa Condrey Ward.
For more than a century, Southern Hotel has been part of Covington’s story—though not always in the way we know it today. After years of closure, storm damage and even serving as parish offices, this historic property could have remained just a memory. Instead, it became an example of what happens when vision meets commitment.
In 2011, local preservation-minded owners—Lisa Condrey Ward and her husband Joseph Ward, and Ricky and Gayle Condrey—saw not what the building was, but what it could be. Three years later, Southern Hotel reopened—exactly 107 years after its original debut—bringing new life to downtown Covington and setting a new standard for boutique hospitality on the Northshore.
Since then, the business has quietly become a major driver of tourism and economic activity in St. Tammany Parish. It attracts visitors from across the state and beyond, supports local restaurants, artists and shops, and helps position Covington as a destination worth staying awhile. It’s not just a place people visit—it’s a place that keeps them here longer.
Growth has been thoughtful and strategic. Additional lodging, expanded event space, and the restoration of another historic property have created jobs, increased overnight stays and expanded the community’s ability to host weddings, celebrations and business gatherings. Each step forward reflects a long-term commitment to quality, preservation and the local economy.