512 N Howe Street

PRIME DOWNTOWN SOUTHPORT | 0.54 ACRES | 16 RENOVATED GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS | ESTABLISHED BOUTIQUE INN & INCOME-PRODUCING COMMERCIAL SPACE A distinctive investment opportunity in historic downtown Southport! Originally established in the 1950s as the Southport Motel and later known as The Inn at River Oaks, today's The Inn at Southport combines the nostalgic character of a classic coastal motor-court inn with extensive capital improvements, an established hospitality business, and a generous 0.54-acre parcel along North Howe Street. Just five blocks from the Cape Fear River waterfront, the property enjoys a prime downtown location within walking distance of Southport's celebrated restaurants, boutique shopping, galleries, and historic attractions. Its expansive footprint, mature trees, and inviting grounds provide an uncommon sense of space in this sought-after coastal setting. The property features 16 guest accommodations, all of which have undergone renovations and updates under current ownership, including the Southport Suite with its beautifully renovated full kitchen. A hotel office and separate street-front commercial space complete the property's versatile layout. At the center of the Inn, a picturesque courtyard features updated stone pavers, a gas fire pit, porch swings, rocking chairs, and welcoming outdoor gathering areas that enhance the guest experience. Significant property-wide capital improvements include new metal roofing across all buildings, upgraded PEX plumbing, propane-powered tankless water heaters, individual guest room mini-split heating and cooling systems, bathroom renovations, updated flooring, interior painting, and substantial furnishings and equipment upgrades. These investments have modernized essential building systems and enhanced guest accommodations while preserving the property's historic character. Beyond the physical improvements, the Inn offers an established, technology-enabled hospitality operation designed for efficient remote management and reduced on-site staffing requirements. Integrated systems support online reservations, automated guest communications, contactless check-in, electronic guest access, and remote operational oversight. This streamlined operating model allows routine guest services and administrative functions to be managed without a continuously staffed front desk, offering operational flexibility and opportunities for cost-efficient management under future ownership. Adding to the property's investment appeal is a separate street-front commercial space at 514 N. Howe Street, included on the same tax parcel as the Inn. Currently occupied by a real estate office with a lease extending through December 2027, the space provides an additional rental income stream independent of hotel operations. Originally a diner in the 1950s, it has accommodated a variety of businesses over the decades. The established hospitality business, including its branding, furnishings, and operating assets, is included in the offering, providing prospective ownership with an existing business and operational infrastructure rather than a property requiring an entirely new hospitality concept. Rich in history, extensively improved, and exceptionally positioned, The Inn at Southport presents a compelling opportunity to acquire an established boutique hospitality business with multiple income sources, streamlined operations, and a substantial downtown parcel in one of North Carolina's most beloved coastal communities.