Downtown Dreamscape

From iconic views of river, trees, and sky to decades of sun-drenched history, downtown’s iconic 21 Market Street has morphed into Host Social Hall, Wilmington’s latest spot for special occasions.

ALLISON SISSON, proprietor of Host Social Hall – a dreamscape for event space – has made a career of manifesting memorable moments. Located in Wilmington’s historic downtown, Host is her favorite project to date. From weddings to holiday events and birthday parties, multiple levels and layers of flow elevate every type of occasion.

“I’ve always been interested in design and decorating,” says Sisson, discussing myriad ways Host augments themes and decor. “I love a blank canvas!”

Host Social Hall in downtown Wilmington on July 7, 2025. Owner Allison Sisson reimagined the three-story building that overlooks Market Street and is now available to host a wide variety of events.

After college, as the first creative hire in the marketing department of a prestigious investment advisory firm in Raleigh, Sisson served as a central resource managing projects and designing materials to support the brand’s strategic initiatives. “I planned our company events and knew everyone’s shirt sizes and food allergies too,” she says. 

Contributing to a collective vision comes naturally, as does her connection to the community. “My family moved to Wilmington when I was four, so I have a lot of great memories of growing up here,” she says. After graduating from New Hanover High School, Sisson studied advertising communication at Appalachian State University, where she met her husband. In 2015, missing the beach and family, the couple relocated to Wilmington. 

With years of marketing experience and a passion for transforming spaces, she turned her sights toward new challenges. “As I approached the age of forty, I was starting to think more about what the next chapter might look like,” she says.

While accompanying her brother, a commercial Realtor, on a quick errand, Sisson walked into the world of 21 Market. “When I first saw the building, I literally couldn’t sleep,” she says. “It was one of those ‘what have my eyes just seen?’ moments. Even that day, in its former condition, I don’t think I’ve ever been so intrigued.”

A few months later, a new owner purchased 21 Market, and the broker introduced her. Sisson says she immediately knew she wanted to approach the owner about business plans for an event space. “These bones and the location were just too good,” she says.“I could see so many fun layered setups and parties hosted here.”

Sisson says she shared her vision for the space, including architectural drawings, with the owner, and they collaborated to complete the renovation and upfit the space for its new use.

As both a foundation and a backdrop, Host channels the mystique of the iconic space. “21 has a very calm, warm, and inviting spirit,” says Sisson. “The building just kind of hugs you.” 

From hardwoods more than a century old to original, restored windows, natural materials mix with natural light. “She’s also full of pretty, feminine details,” says Sisson, “like the beautiful, stamped metal ceilings on the first floor, and the fab wallpaper.”

Of its many assets, Host’s floor-to-floor variety facilitates multiple changes of scenery. “Ever been to a dinner sitting across from the same people for two hours, and you’re like, ‘Wow, I gotta change it up?’” Sisson says with a laugh. “The building has a free and open flow. You can do this here, do that there. Come in on the first floor, grab a box lunch and swag bag, move to a sit-down meeting and group activity on the third.” 

With local support, professional relationships, and interested eventgoers reaching out, the road to realizing Host has been serendipitous. “I’ve spent a lot of time consulting with local professional planners and other event industry business owners, and a wide array of vendors, which has definitely helped influence the way we’re structured here,” Sisson says. “There’ve been so many people in my corner.”

Indeed, Sisson booked Host’s first event in 2024, before she even had a contract, for a local planner hosting a wedding welcome party. “It was perfect because my logo is a pineapple, the symbol of hospitality,” she says. “They knew this was my first event and were all over the stairs, in the elevator, oohing and ahhing over the potential of the space. They had so much fun.” 

Community has been critical to business, shares Sisson, and something she continues to grow. “I’m so grateful for all the new relationships and their excitement to be a part of what we’re offering here,” she says.

In addition to private events, Sisson says she is curating events for the general community to give people a glimpse and a feel for what’s possible at Host. “As best I can explain it, I feel compelled to share the magic of this place with others, and my heart knows it’s going to spark a lot of joy,” she says. “It just feels like Wilmington here.”  

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

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