Alexandra Kingzett, long time Gulfport investor;
Resident since 2000; owner of the Peninsula Historic Inn & Spa

For a large part of my life, I’ve been at large in the world.  This is the first time I’ve had a sense of belonging. When we retired from a career in the Peace Corps, my husband and I visited Gulfport to see what kind of opportunity was there.  We purchased four investment homes on that first visit.  In 1999, we purchased a hotel that had been boarded up for seventeen years. We had to build it practically brand new from the inside out.  The following year, we also purchased our first home for ourselves here –  the fabulous Brumer Estate, a sprawling house with huge old live oaks and a lawn that ran down to the water.  The inn was a real catalyst for change – for a renaissance, as new people and investors and businesses came to Gulfport.  For the first time in my life, I feel as though I’m part of a community — that I’ve contributed … that I’m valuable.  My sense of belonging is also due to the richness of Gulfport. The town is made up of so many kinds of people.  It’s a very tolerant community.  Being here and owning the inn has defined a significant part of my adult life.  We will continue the stewardship of the inn, to be passed on eventually.  We’re just trying to set the table for the next decade.

Gulfport is My Pinellas.

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