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One of the most recognizable buildings in the New Orleans skyline is about to undergo a transformation into the city's first Four Seasons hotel property. The former World Trade Center New Orleans never fully recovered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Left mostly empty after the storm, the building was finally closed in 2011 and subsequently purchased by the City. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, the Modernist landmark is being given a new lease on life.
Completed in 1968 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the city of New Orleans, the Edward Durell Stone-designed building will become the first five-star hotel, the first hotel-serviced residential building and the first luxury highrise condominium in the city when it opens in 2020. The Four Seasons New Orleans will contain 341 guest rooms and 81 residences, rising 33 storeys at the foot of Canal Street on two acres of Mississippi River waterfront.
The cruciform-shaped building will boast the highest elevation of any homes in New Orleans, with residences starting on the 19th floor, 211 feet from the ground. A select collection of penthouses arranged on the building's top floors offer sweeping views of downtown, the Mississippi River, the French Quarter, and downstream to the Gulf of Mexico.
Amenities overtake the Spanish-influenced 29th floor, once the home of executive offices. A bar and lounge, children's playroom, private dining room, historic hall and communal dining room, and a golf simulator are contained within this space. An additional brand new amenities wing includes an outdoor 75-foot swimming pool and hot tub, fitness centre, and a Four Seasons Spa. A signature restaurant overlooking 7,500 square feet of private gardens is expected to be announced soon.
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