Upper Pontabla Building Renovations
Overlooking Jackson Square, the Upper Pontalba Building is one of the nation's oldest continuously occupied apartment buildings and an enduring icon of the French Quarter. Trapolin-Peer Architects is leading a series of renovations that preserve the building's defining character while enclosing historic courtyard balconies to improve environmental performance, control moisture, and support its long-term resilience.
Category
Mixed-Use Multi-Family
Adaptive Reuse + Modernization
Size 35,000
Location New Orleans, LA
Year In Progress
For generations, the Upper Pontalba Building's open-air courtyard balconies exposed the structure to persistent humidity and water intrusion. Aging roof systems, undersized drainage infrastructure, and failing mechanical equipment accelerated material deterioration and made it increasingly difficult to maintain stable interior conditions.
The challenge was to resolve these systemic issues while respecting one of the French Quarter's most recognizable residential buildings and preserving the character and openness of its courtyard elevations.
Outcome
The carefully phased renovation transforms a porous, moisture-prone building into a more controlled and resilient environment. Coordinated upgrades to the envelope, drainage, and mechanical systems reduce water intrusion, improve occupant comfort, and extend the life of the historic structure. Through minimal but strategic intervention, the project preserves the architectural character of the Upper Pontalba Building while addressing the underlying conditions that threatened its long-term performance.