The Louisiana Landmarks Society has announced the 10 winners of the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation, given for Orleans Parish restoration and rehabilitation projects of historic buildings completed in 2023.
The awards will be presented May 14 at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave., co-hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy. The Master of Ceremonies will be Emmy Award-winning producer and host/producer of "Steppin’ Out," Peggy Scott Laborde. For tickets ($75) and information, visit www.louisianalandmarks.org.
The winners are:
1. Convent Lofts, 1022 Barracks St.
The property initially was developed in 1877 for the Carmelite Nuns. Acquired privately in 2016, it underwent a renovation starting in 2019, preserving historic features while converting it into 25 residential units. The chapel, now a residential unit, retains its original elements.
Team: Roderick A. Fifield, Architect; LLC, Batture LLC; Sam Solomon; Bancroft Property Investments, LLC
2. 3116-18 Marais St.
The project restored a traditional circa 1910 wood-frame double-shotgun home in the Bywater National Register District. It uncovered original drop-lap siding and quoins. Historic window casings prompted installation of accurate two-over-two, divided-light, double-hung wood windows. Original features like baseboards, fireplaces, and pocket-door casings were preserved. The layout returned to a traditional double-shotgun style.
Team: Ryan Nugent Architect; Historic Pro Nola; Marley Investments
3. 4201 Tulane Ave.
Concealed under a metal-building slipcover for 50 years, the Tulane Avenue Warehouse was built in 1924 as the workshop of Riecke Cabinet Works. The building changed hands in 1971 and was shuttered in 2005. Recent maintenance revealed its intact historic skin, prompting a comprehensive restoration. Exterior work involved removing 1970s metal panels, repairing 1920s stone-face pressed metal panels, and integrating modern insulation.
Team: KCT Tulane; Rome Office; Trine Builders; Urban Properties | SVN Project Management; Fricker Historic Preservation Services; Batture LLC; Moses Engineers; LO Specs; Charles Leche Photography
4. Dew Drop Inn, 2836 Lasalle St.
The Dew Drop Inn in Central City began as a barbershop in 1939, expanding by 1945 into a music venue, hotel, and restaurant, hosting renowned Black musicians during segregation. Decline started in 1970 with the music venue's closure; it was abandoned in 2005. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. Renovations aimed to restore its original purpose. Today, the Dew Drop Inn celebrates its history while revitalizing New Orleans' cultural and music scene.
Team: Ryan Gootee General Contractors; Studio Kiro; PACE Group; HG Engineering; Creative Engineering Group; BAi, LLC; Patch LA; Batture LLC; Leaaf Environmental LLC; Civic Studio; RYAN; Site 504; Associated Food Equipment & Supplies; M.R. Montero Electronics; Bilbo Information Technology Solutions
5. Dodwell House, 1519 Esplanade Ave.
The Dodwell House community center was revitalized by St. Anna’s Episcopal Church with a $4 million investment. Originally constructed in 1846 by Louisa Marsoudet, the building, at a prime location in Tremé, underwent various changes and was left abandoned for years. Seeking expansion for after-school programs, St. Anna's found synergy with the building's history. Restoration efforts retained its original charm, with modern amenities like a commercial kitchen.
Team: St. Anna's Episcopal Church; Mathes Brierre Architects; Southkick Historic Preservation; Mayer Building Co.
6. Hales Cottage, 200 Henry Clay Ave.
Hales Cottage dates from the 1830s as the overseer’s house on the plantation of Jean Étienne de Boré. It is reportedly the oldest cottage in the area and, seeing it in decline and recognizing its historical significance, Louisiana Landmarks Society named it to its endangered list in 2009. Located on Children’s Hospital New Orleans campus, Hales Cottage now blends 1850s antebellum charm with modern amenities. Repositioned for accessibility, the restoration preserves the original features of the house, now a neighborhood gathering place with a coffee shop.
Team: Team: EskewDumezRipple Architects; TLC Engineering Solutions; Civil Engineer; Sherwood Design Engineers; General Contractor; Matthews Construction & Renovation; Landscape: Spackman Mossop Michaels
7. Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St.
Established in 1886, Hotel Monteleone underwent extensive renovations on its 15-floor Iberville Tower and ballroom to preserve its rich history while enhancing hospitality offerings. Upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were accompanied by preservation efforts.
Team: Landis Construction; SCNZ Architects; McKee & Carman Design Group; IMC Consulting Engineers New Hotel Monteleone LLC
8. The Mary Beth Hotel, 310 S. Rampart St.
The Mary Beth Hotel exemplifies the mid-19th-century Greek Revival style located in the Central Business District. Neglect had damaged its historic elements, but rehabilitation efforts have restored it to its former glory. The project reconstructed the roof, restored the facade, and elevated the first floor to mitigate flood risks. Inside, modern amenities blend with the preservation of historic fabric across six residential units. Original materials were salvaged, including reclaimed ceiling beams transformed into flooring.
Team: Welty Architecture; DEI Contractors; Design Engineering; Bank Plus; “Son of a Ghost”; Standuke Management
9. Thirteen15, 1315 Gravier St.
Originally known as The Warwick, Thirteen15, has been a CBD fixture since 1952. The renovation maintains its Mid-Century Modern allure while embracing contemporary functionality.
Upon construction in 1951, the building featured aluminum accents, brickwork, and a stylish lobby with terrazzo floors and marble details. Thirteen15 now boasts sunlit, spacious apartments with updated amenities and kitchens while preserving its historic charm.
Team: Albert Architecture/SCNZ; IMC Consulting Engineers; Morphy Makofsky; Structural Engineers; Hernandez Consulting and Construction; New Orleans Redevelopment Fund 2740
10. St. Augustine High School, 2600 A.P. Tureaud Ave.
St. Augustine High School, founded in 1951, initiated a modernization project balancing tradition and progress. Renovations included the installation of adaptable STEM labs, energy-efficient windows, and an updated technology infrastructure.
Team: Trapolin-Peer Architects; CDW Services, Infinity Engineering