Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    As you ride down the streets of New Orleans, bending with the curve of the river, you pass by countless historic buildings with stories lasting generations . The Henry Howard Hotel is one of those historic buildings with a story to tell. 

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel 

    Those like the Fitzgerald Hotel Group are breathing life back into properties once part of a new and lively way of living. The Henry Howard Hotel is a historic landmark waiting for you to make history beyond its massive 12-foot doors. 

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    The Henry Howard Hotel was originally a double gallery townhouse, designed and built by architect Henry Howard (who immigrated to New Orleans from Ireland in 1837 and was known for many celebrated buildings and homes, including the Belle Grove Plantation and the Pontalba buildings on Jackson Square) in 1867 for steamboat man Ed Connery’s two daughters. The Fitzgerald Hotel Group reimagined the building as a luxury, boutique hotel and began the 18-bedroom renovation in September 2015. 

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    Graphic designer Kathleen Fitzgerald and the Hunter Mabry Design architecture firm immediately got to work bringing the Henry Howard House to luxury hotel status. The hotel logo evokes the Corinthian columns — a Howard signature design element — seen at the front of the house and all throughout the Garden District. It inspired a custom HH patterned wallpaper seen throughout parts of the house. A second custom wallpaper was created to bring an extra element of art into each of the rooms. A toile pattern including streetcars, riverboat, the house and a second line give an extra touch to the modern, clean line look of the guest rooms.  

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    The Henry Howard Hotel also offers couples and their bridal party great accommodations for overnight stay. Three rooms at the Henry Howard include private balconies and three have their own hallway making it more secluded for larger parties. On the third floor, above the three more secluded rooms, sits a spacious penthouse – which houses three bedrooms, two bathrooms and large open main room perfect for day-of wedding preparations.

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    The Parlor Bar on the first level of the hotel is an inviting space decorated with antique and modern touches with the purpose of gathering guests and the area’s neighbors for drinks and conversation. A beautiful back courtyard provides an outdoor entertainment space for parties and wedding festivities. Small bridal parties can use the back courtyard as a ceremony space with family and guests lining the walkways and balconies or in conjunction with the Parlor Bar for a larger affair. Though catering is not available for in-house events, the hotel is more than happy to coordinate or arrange any services a couple many need for their wedding.     

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

    With it’s history and charm visible among the modern updates and renovations, the Henry Howard Hotel offers guests a true New Orleans experience. 

Location Spotlight: The Henry Howard Hotel

P.S. To learn more about architect Henry Howard’s life and work, visit the exhibition “An Architect and His City: Henry Howard’s New Orleans, 1837-1884,” at The Historic New Orleans Collection, which runs through April. The exhibition includes maps, rare books, manuscripts and historical and contemporary photography by celebrated architectural photographer Robert S. Brantley.  

*Opening image by Kathleen Fitzgerald – additional photos by Kelly Massicot

The Henry Howard Hotel – (504) 313-1577 – 2041 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 

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