NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

BTW you welcome everyone for me getting these for you to look at! )))

Thanks Tennis, I'm not sure I even want to know what you had to do to get those pictures.

Originally Posted by ardecila

Looks like the residential entrance is facing Rampart, and it has a carriage drive for dropoffs. There are also 2 street-level retail spaces on Rampart and on Iberville respectively, as well as the multi-level retail space facing Canal.

Since they closed the Popeyes in the first floor of the Saenger Theater, maybe one of those retail spaces can fit that. Just kidding.

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New Question: With these new apartments on Rampart and Canal Street, and the new streetcar line going down Rampart, development will soon be following. There are 5 big parking lots inside the French Quarter, facing Rampart, that I predict will be up for development within the next 4 years. What is everyone's opinion on what is appropriate for those sites. Since it is inside the FQ, entirely new rules apply.

Do we build new apartments and shops with 19th century looking facades?

Do we look at pictures and blueprints of buildings that were once actually on those lots and try to replicate them?

Do we build new ultra-modern construction, so as not to be confused with the actual historic buildings?



While I know it's kinda tacky, I don't see any alternative but to erect replicas of what we know went along those blocks, but were torn down before historic preservation laws existed. It's Colonial Williamsburg-ish, but that's sort of what the French Quarter is.

There is precedent for this. When the Historic New Orleans Collection built their new addition on Conti Street after Katrina, they erected a brand new building based off the drawings of a 19th century building on that location, which was a parking lot. And now it's a beautiful addition to the FQ. http://www.hnoc.org/visit/buildings_williams_add.html

[FrenchTwins]

Could someone explain what that gold colored material is on the new 1031 Canal building? (cheers tennis for the renders btw). I'm worried that it could turn into a Trump Las Vegas or something if that's some kind of mirrored glass.

Otherwise I think this design is pretty good, a little busy for my taste, but a major step in the right direction for that area of canal. That stretch has the potential to get very modern very quickly with the senior apartments, the BioInnovation center, and those planned towers from Iberville thrown into the mix. Does anyone know if there's any plans for the Joy theater? I feel like that could become prime real estate in the next 10 years.

Originally Posted by Blitzen

New Question: With these new apartments on Rampart and Canal Street, and the new streetcar line going down Rampart, development will soon be following. There are 5 big parking lots inside the French Quarter, facing Rampart, that I predict will be up for development within the next 4 years. What is everyone's opinion on what is appropriate for those sites. Since it is inside the FQ, entirely new rules apply.

Do we build new apartments and shops with 19th century looking facades?

Do we look at pictures and blueprints of buildings that were once actually on those lots and try to replicate them?

Do we build new ultra-modern construction, so as not to be confused with the actual historic buildings?



While I know it's kinda tacky, I don't see any alternative but to erect replicas of what we know went along those blocks, but were torn down before historic preservation laws existed. It's Colonial Williamsburg-ish, but that's sort of what the French Quarter is.

There is precedent for this. When the Historic New Orleans Collection built their new addition on Conti Street after Katrina, they erected a brand new building based off the drawings of a 19th century building on that location, which was a parking lot. And now it's a beautiful addition to the FQ. http://www.hnoc.org/visit/buildings_williams_add.html

Blitzen, I think New Orleans could learn a lesson from some of the major cities in europe in terms of building modern in context. Madrid has many buildings dating back to the same time period as the quarter, but the city also has a number of modern buildings flanking either side of the old ones. The height is around the same as the older ones, and they have other elements such as balconies, similarly sized storefronts or residences, and in some cases similar materials that match the feel and function of the area without looking like a replica.

I think New Orleans could do that, and I think 1031 canal is a step down that road.

[urbanwatcher]

Most replicas look ok but i would like to see something creatively done as was Mentioned about Spain.Barcelona has also done a very good job in respect to this.Those parking lots have always felt like a dead space and some sort of inverted blight.Does anyone think that Rampart has the ability to function as a little economic main street?Is Bar Tonique still open for that matter.Also how far will a revitalized Rampart run to,Esplanade,Elysian Fields?

[tennis1400]

Its an interesting question to consider and of course this would be an appropriate thing for the VCPORA and Preservation Resource Center to get invovled in. My thoughts are to maybe research what was there before and if it looked good try to recreate it.



Love this scaling!

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by urbanwatcher

Most replicas look ok but i would like to see something creatively done as was Mentioned about Spain.Barcelona has also done a very good job in respect to this.Those parking lots have always felt like a dead space and some sort of inverted blight.Does anyone think that Rampart has the ability to function as a little economic main street?Is Bar Tonique still open for that matter.Also how far will a revitalized Rampart run to,Esplanade,Elysian Fields?

Bar Tonique is still open!

[Blitzen]

From the Friends of Lafitte Corridor website: http://folc-nola.org/

Another big parcel has been cleared. Notice the highrises on Canal Street to the right. I predict this will be a beautiful entrance into downtown once it's finally completed.

[tennis1400]

Reading city business today I was disgusted with the way the Vieux Carre Commission is treating business owners who hang art on their shutters. These people are vile and total egomaniacs. Can we disband the VCC and VCPORA and start over? Community organizations out of control!!!!

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

Reading city business today I was disgusted with the way the Vieux Carre Commission is treating business owners who hang art on their shutters. These people are vile and total egomaniacs. Can we disband the VCC and VCPORA and start over? Community organizations out of control!!!!

It is sort of ironic that the VCC won't allow art galleries to hang art on their shutters, because since the city's founding, merchants have been putting their goods on the streets trying to entice buyers. It's actually the more historically accurate thing to do - they should be encouraging it.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

It is sort of ironic that the VCC won't allow art galleries to hang art on their shutters, because since the city's founding, merchants have been putting their goods on the streets trying to entice buyers. It's actually the more historically accurate thing to do - they should be encouraging it.

Seriously, you are right on the money. The idea makes no sense its just some person's personal thoughts on what the Quarter should look like. Historic areas should be more than a damn museum!

On another note:

JB James won the bid to widen the interstate between Veterans and Clearview. Work should begin in a month or two. The project will widen the interstate from 3 to five lanes each direction, include ramp and bridge work as well as sounds walls. Total cost is 51.46 million dollars. Better spend those federal dollars before the government goes broke! lol

[sguil1]

CBD-HDLC Hearing on
Wednesday July 13th
10:00AM @ City Hall

Update on 1031 Canal per their website...

http://1031canal.com/

[FrenchTwins]

Originally Posted by sguil1

CBD-HDLC Hearing on
Wednesday July 13th
10:00AM @ City Hall

Update on 1031 Canal per their website...

http://1031canal.com/

Letter to the City Council sent. If this building does not get built because of the loud obnoxious voice of a few people, when is any other development in that area going to have a chance?

[Uptowngirl]

The VCC isn't a community organization. Its a government entity.

And I don't have a problem not allowing art on shutters, especially considering how badly property owners neglect their shutters...however the VCC doesn't do a good job enforcing its own rules as to the condition of buildings in the Quarter.

[IceCream]

Originally Posted by FrenchTwins

Letter to the City Council sent. If this building does not get built because of the loud obnoxious voice of a few people, when is any other development in that area going to have a chance?

Ditto...Letter sent! I'm also technically a VCC resident! (long story)

I'm all for the VCC making sure things stay historic, but fully 100% agreed. I've grown up with an inherited hatred of the VCC due to my father being a property owner and dealing with those scumbugs. If they'd stick to architecture I'd be ok with them, but they like to reach out and try to expand their grasp.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by Uptowngirl

The VCC isn't a community organization. Its a government entity.

And I don't have a problem not allowing art on shutters, especially considering how badly property owners neglect their shutters...however the VCC doesn't do a good job enforcing its own rules as to the condition of buildings in the Quarter.

What does that have to do with hanging merchandise on shutters as merchants have for literally centuries in this city? Do you personally know that the badly kept shutters even relate to those that hang art on them? The VCC is a group overzealous bureaucrats that constantly overreach. Yes it is important to have a preservation organization for this neighborhood, but these people are out of control and if you ever owned property in this neighborhood you'd realize how backwards and hypocritical many of the rules are and also will notice a large inequity in their enforcement.
Yes the VCC is a government entity but it too can be disbanded!

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by IceCream

Ditto...Letter sent! I'm also technically a VCC resident! (long story)

I'm all for the VCC making sure things stay historic, but fully 100% agreed. I've grown up with an inherited hatred of the VCC due to my father being a property owner and dealing with those scumbugs. If they'd stick to architecture I'd be ok with them, but they like to reach out and try to expand their grasp.

Where did you send the letter?

[IceCream]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

Where did you send the letter?

I just used the email form on the 1031 Canal website.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by urbanwatcher

Most replicas look ok but i would like to see something creatively done as was Mentioned about Spain.Barcelona has also done a very good job in respect to this.Those parking lots have always felt like a dead space and some sort of inverted blight.Does anyone think that Rampart has the ability to function as a little economic main street?

The thought just occurred to me that historic buildings in the area (like along Canal Street), could be dismantled/moved to those Rampart Street parking lots, and Canal would have open space for new modern development, and the FQ would have historic buildings of its time period, instead of Disney-ish rebuilds.

Sounds expensive, but there's a dozen examples of old 2-3 story masonry buildings being disassembled and rebuilt in New Orleans. (Ex. Church of the Immaculate Conception.) And what could make the VCC happier than new historic buildings within their jurisdiction to inundate with regulations? The same could be done between Decatur/North Peters Streets and the river.

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Another Question: Does anyone know what the block of Iberville Street will become once the Saenger Theatre's takes it to use as their stage expansion? Will pedestrians have the ability to cut across or will it be entirely closed to vehicles and pedestrians?

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

The thought just occurred to me that historic buildings in the area (like along Canal Street), could be dismantled/moved to those Rampart Street parking lots, and Canal would have open space for new modern development, and the FQ would have historic buildings of its time period, instead of Disney-ish rebuilds.

Sounds expensive, but there's a dozen examples of old 2-3 story masonry buildings being disassembled and rebuilt in New Orleans. (Ex. Church of the Immaculate Conception.) And what could make the VCC happier than new historic buildings within their jurisdiction to inundate with regulations? The same could be done between Decatur/North Peters Streets and the river.

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Another Question: Does anyone know what the block of Iberville Street will become once the Saenger Theatre's takes it to use as their stage expansion? Will pedestrians have the ability to cut across or will it be entirely closed to vehicles and pedestrians?

Ill ask my friend if she knows?

Also, found out that the Hotel Indigo will now open as a hotel called The Saint. I believe it will be an independent hotel now. Not sure whether that is good or bad but the Hotel is definitely still happening just under a different brand!

[n3rdw0p]

I took those pictures of the lafitte greenway lol

[sguil1]

Updated renderings posted on website.