The Sazerac House
Adaptive reuse of two long-abandoned buildings into an immersive visitor destination for the storied Sazerac Company.
Category
Commercial
Cultural
Hospitality
Adaptive Reuse + Modernization
Interiors
Size 52,000 SF
Location New Orleans, LA
Year 2019
The breadth of the Sazerac House project is ambitious, encompassing three distinct components: a museum, micro-distillery, and corporate headquarters. Located at the intersection of Canal and Magazine Streets in downtown New Orleans, near Sazerac’s original 1850s headquarters, the venue is designed to showcase the legacy brands of the Sazerac Company through an immersive visitor experience. The project involved merging two late-19th-century buildings into a unified complex that revitalizes long-abandoned structures, breathing new life into the urban intersection.
Outcome
The design of Sazerac House brings significant value by transforming abandoned historic structures into an essential cultural and economic asset for both the Sazerac Company and the New Orleans community. For Sazerac, the project re-establishes a landmark presence in the city, connecting the company’s storied past to its contemporary brand identity in a venue that blends immersive storytelling with functional corporate and visitor spaces. This thoughtfully restored complex serves as an engaging, multifaceted destination that enhances brand visibility and invites visitors to explore the rich history of the Sazerac Company and New Orleans.
Sazerac House is a transformative development that revitalizes a key urban intersection, preserving the city’s architectural heritage while generating economic activity and tourism. The adaptive reuse of these historic buildings contributes to the local economy, creates jobs, and reinforces the value of New Orleans’ historic architecture, setting a precedent for other heritage-driven projects. By weaving modern design with historical preservation, the project fosters a renewed sense of place that celebrates New Orleans’ legacy while supporting its future growth.
CONSTRUCTION
Awards
AIA New OrleansHonor Award, 2021
Louisiana Landmarks SocietyExcellence in Historic Preservation, 2020
Associated General Contractors of America2020
New Orleans Downtown DevelopmentDowntown NOLA Award, 2019