850 Tchoupitoulas Offices
Preserving the historic façade of a 1900's Warehouse District building while creating a modern, sustainable office with enhanced natural light and collaborative spaces.
The project involved the façade renovation and new infill of a historic pre-turn-of-the-century warehouse located in New Orleans’s Warehouse District. The objective was to transform this dilapidated structure into a modern, sustainable office for an architectural firm while preserving its historic charm. The renovation addressed significant structural failures in the façade and roof, maintaining the original masonry party walls and historic façade, and integrating them with new construction to create an innovative and collaborative workspace.
Outcome
By preserving the building’s original façade and enhancing its sustainability, the project delivers a space that honors the past while serving the future. The restored structure, now energy-efficient with advanced systems like SIPs roofing and 100% LED lighting, provides lasting value by reducing operating costs and minimizing environmental impact.
The new office layout promotes collaboration and creativity, with natural light from a central courtyard enhancing both the atmosphere and productivity. The building’s integration of reclaimed materials, historic tax credits, and energy-efficient systems reinforces the firm’s commitment to thoughtful, sustainable architecture.
This transformation uplifts the Warehouse District, showcasing how adaptive reuse can blend history with progress. The renovated space enriches the neighborhood’s architectural landscape, turning a dilapidated structure into a source of pride and a model for preservation-driven design.
Originally built in 1846 and reduced to two stories by the 1930s following a catastrophic fire, the warehouse had a façade that had rotated nearly 12 inches out of plumb due to neglect. The project used historic tax credits to restore the masonry party walls and granite façade. Extensive shoring stabilized the façade, which was then rotated back into plumb and braced during construction. The building now features an open and collaborative studio space, with natural light maximized by the strategic placement of glazing and the addition of a courtyard. The rear wall, designed with a contemporary aesthetic, includes corrugated metal panels, aluminum storefront, stucco, and wood decking, creating a functional light well and informal gathering space. The renovation not only revitalized the historic structure but also ensured a sustainable and energy-efficient office environment.
Awards
AIA LouisianaAward of Merit, 2018
Louisiana Landmarks SocietyAward for Excellence in Historic Preservation, 2015
New Orleans Downtown Development DistrictChairman’s Award, 2014