The Sazerac House

STRATEGY

The focus was on meticulously renovating these structures that had been abandoned for over three decades. Despite the neglect, the buildings maintained a significant amount of their historic character, contributing to their designation of Landmarked status by the National Parks Service. This comprehensive restoration involved stabilizing and reworking structural systems, removing deleterious additions, and returning the buildings to a period-appropriate visual appearance.

The facades underwent substantial reworking, uncovering numerous original details buried under years of renovations. Utilizing historic tax credits and meeting preservation standards, the project involved a mix of restoration, repurposing salvaged elements, and introducing contemporary new interventions. Advanced three-dimensional scanning played a crucial role in documenting the buildings, addressing challenges, and coordinating complex mechanical systems for the functioning distillery within a historic structure.

Interior design carefully avoids historicism, engaging overtly contemporary methods and materials yet evoking 1880s architecture that integrates the brands’ history into the building itself. The brand is echoed throughout interior spaces, including on a 350 lb ceiling medallion, custom wallpaper, signage, and stair details. The central space, with a three-story display wall holding 2,000 bottles, and a monumental stair incorporating subtle brand references, serves as a captivating focal point.

The resulting complex houses three floors of visitor-focused venues, a fourth-floor event and catering space, plus 5^th floor offices for the Sazerac Company and a 6th floor rooftop addition.