Lily Hall and Brother Fox

Lily Hall Lodging House and Brother Fox Restaurant are the latest in Pensacola’s chic boutique hotel/restaurant scene. Located at 415 N. Alcaniz Street, the property has been beautifully and painstakingly renovated to offer a unique combination of lodging, dining, and entertaining in a historic part of Pensacola. It is truly another feather in the cap for Pensacola’s vibrant revitalization.

Lily Hall is the brainchild of three Nashville developers that own Stahlman Hospitality. The property is located in the historic Old East Hill neighborhood within walking distance of downtown Pensacola. Originally built in 1928, the building once housed the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, which was the oldest African American Baptist Church in Florida. 

It had been left vacant since Hurricane Ivan damaged the church in 2004. The building was on the list of seven properties to save in Pensacola when Troy Stackhouse, one of the three partners whose wife is from Gulf Breeze wanted to do a project in Pensacola. They kept riding past the property thinking that the damaged, historic property might have potential as a lodging house.

We visited with Kari Randle, property and hospitality host at Lily Hall on the day Brother Fox, the property’s new restaurant was opening. It was bustling with activity and Kari was kind enough to show us around and tell the story about Lily Hall’s transformation over the past eighteen months into the spectacular place it is today.

“Lily Hall is an ode to her resurrection,” said Kari. “Ivan couldn’t take her.” Lily Hall pays homage to the Spanish history of Pensacola with hand-painted Spanish tile throughout steps, foyers, and porch areas within the property. “Lily Hall organically came into being.”  During reconstruction, not one door or window had to be cut or changed. The result is stunning and inviting.

With 15 suites on two floors and the restaurant and bar located on the ground floor area, Lily Hall seems to have a casual but elegant feel. Each room is well appointed with Public Goods amenities, coffee service, and a working record player with vinyl records for your listening pleasure. There is a comfortable library area for people to gather with an honor bar for drinks and snacks.

In Lily’s Parlor, there is a working typewriter and stationery, in case you’re moved to write a letter. Each room has a framed letter written by someone famous telling them about all the wonderful things they’ve discovered during their stay at Lily Hall and the Pensacola area. It’s really quite clever and adds a bit of whimsical nostalgia to the lodging house experience. They have even created a “signature scent” that is soft and pleasant.

Downstairs, Brother Fox is having its grand opening in about an hour, so we take a quick look and get out of the way. There is a bar and inside-dining area for about 60 people with a covered patio outside that will seat 40 more. Sister Hen is a small, dark speakeasy tucked away that harkens back to prohibition days.

Chef-partner Terry Raley was inspired by the sense of community the church hall has always enjoyed. Most cuisine is created on the live-fire hearth and is meant to be a fellowship experience over shared plates with family and friends. The garden space easily converts to a gathering place for special events. 

Chef Darian Hernandez, a Pensacola native, earned his culinary and food Service Management degree in Miami and proceeded to build his reputation in the finer restaurants and hotels in Miami and New York City before returning to his hometown. Locally grown ingredients and freshly caught local seafood highlight the menu.

Lily Hall and Brother Fox, along with Sister Hen, are welcomed additions to the Pensacola hospitality scene. We enjoyed our tour and can imagine that it will receive a warm welcome from locals and visitors. The entire property has a great feel with off-street parking and without a lot of fussiness to the experience. The property is beautiful and would be a perfect retreat for a family, friend reunion, or small corporate gathering.

Scenic 98 Coastal welcomes you. We are glad you are here!