By Keli Rylance
After previous efforts for redevelopment and a series of talks failed earlier this year, a five-member selection committee representing the city has reviewed qualifications from 11 potential developers and narrowed the field to five. At stake is Edward Durell Stone’s 33-story monument to the city’s foreign commerce, the World Trade Center of New Orleans. Begun in 1959 and partially occupied by 1966, the NRHP-listed building has been vacant since 2010.
With a hotel boom underway in the Crescent City, all five of the selected developers have proposed privately funded mixed-use hotel /apartment projects. The Four Season, Hotel Alessandra, Godfrey Hotel, Andaz Hotel and Conrad Hotel have been named as prospective occupants. Carpenter & Co. Inc. and Woodward Interests LLC, Two Canal Street, Oxford Capital LLC, HRI Properties and 2 Canal Development LLC will receive an FRP in January, and will have until 16 February to respond.
The selection committee anticipates making a final decision in late March.