In June, the now-shuttered Prytania Park Hotel reopened as the vastly reimagined Garden District Hotel. With interiors designed by New Orleans-based Jeannine Jacob Interiors, the extensive renovation renders the former Prytania Park unrecognizable apart from sparing spiral staircases found in some of the 47-room hotel’s two-level suites. The project included room updates that swapped unremarkable carpet tile flooring in the rooms for striking herringbone wood floors and redesigning mish-mash bathrooms transforming them with marble for days. A swanky heated saltwater pool (day passes are available) with swim-up bar and chic and moody Garden Bar with exposed brick walls and tropical wallcoverings complete the glow-up. Revival New York Egyptian cotton linens and drip coffee are standard room amenities with poolside yoga and movement classes, as well as a fitness center catering to wellness-minded guests. The new hotel, located at 1525 Prytania St., is managed by Dallas-based Dreamscape Hospitality, which counts 24 properties across the United States in its portfolio, including corporate brands Hilton, Hyatt and Extended Stay and the nearby Blackbird Hotel, which opened late in 2024. gdhnola.com
French (Quarter) Connection
Earlier this year, Axios reported Audubon Nature Institute’s plans for a $30 million public green space. The project will extend the riverfront park and the first phase is slated to open by the end of the year. Look for a band shell and, ultimately, a 2.25-mile park for walking and biking that runs from Crescent Park to Spanish Plaza. Event rental options and a food truck area are also (potentially) in the works.
Anxiety-Free Art Buying
While shopping in a market in the small village of Cucuron in Provence, Megan and Michael Manning were inspired to create a company catering to art lovers. The New Orleans-based wife-and-husband team wanted to make it easier for travelers (and homebodies) to support local artists and to make art buying more accessible. Cucuron (pronounced coo-coo-ron) features art by Southern American artists (including some in New Orleans), in a variety of styles and mediums. Buyers can take advantage of free consultation services, use augmented reality tools to see what pieces look like in their space and return works that, well, don’t work (within a week). cucuronshop.com
Congregate and Caffeinate
In July, the much-anticipated new location of Congregation Coffee opened in the former CC’s Coffee on the corner of Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue to help fuel the denizens of Uptown. In 2023, Patrick Brennan bought the Algiers Point-based café from former owner Eliott Guthrie with plans for growth. The design team Brennan worked with to redesign the lower-level cafe space in the turreted Victorian building included architect Seth Welty of Colectivo; contractor Mayer Building Company; Martin Woodworks for the millwork; decorative painter and muralist Marco St. John; with the interior furniture design by Carleton Young; and tile work by Symmetry Flooring. The café features warm wood floors and green accents and is lined on two sides by tall windows. Dark stained wood chairs with Dutch modern vibes are nestled against blonde wood-topped tables with wood accents along the bar and elegant inset arches warming up the space. At the new Uptown location, look for the always expertly pulled espresso drink, delicious drip coffee and bags of Congregation’s locally roasted, single-origin beans in various blends and fresh pastries from Ralph Brennan’s Bakery. Later this year, Brennan plans to open a third Congregation location in the French Quarter. congregationcoffee.com
Homegrown Hub
Designers and design aficionados have likely noticed more time spent over the past decade or so shopping and otherwise conducting design-related business in Old Jefferson. The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commision also noticed and earlier this summer announced that a 320-acre area near the Orleans-Jefferson Parish line nestled between River Road and the Earhart Expressway would now be designated as the Design District. The idea was brought to JEDCO leadership by Karin Nelson, owner of Design Center New Orleans, who pointed out how many home industry businesses had sprouted up in the area. “Louisiana has a lengthy and rich design history and we are surrounded by a vibrant design community,” said Nelson in a press release. “With the designation of this design district, the goal is for Old Jefferson to become a design destination, attracting new businesses of all kinds to support and help our talented designers grow their companies.” Tax incentives and a dedicated loan fund are in the works through JEDCO.
