The Tivoli Hotel was built in 1926-27 as a 6-story, T-shaped brick building in Second Renaissance Revival architectural style.

[4] With competition from modern-day hotels along the Gulf Coast, the Trade Winds slumped into a state of disrepair in the 1970s and served as an apartment complex for transient guests.

Although attempts were made by the owner to sell the property, potential developers were not willing to retain the original building in their redevelopment plans.

[5] During August 2005, any plans for saving the Tivoli Hotel were lost when sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a 27-foot (8.2 m) tidal surge from Hurricane Katrina pushed a casino barge into the southeast corner of the structure.

As part of those recovery efforts, the Tivoli Hotel property was rezoned for waterfront gaming.