See Our Progress
Gallery Expansion
After many months of planning, negotiating and navigating the complexities of an historic renovation, work began in earnest on our gallery expansion in the summer of 2018. We can now begin to see our vision taking shape and we thought you might like to follow our progress as we continue to transform these grand old Royal Street masterpieces and give them new life in our fair city.
Old roofing material and salvaged brick litter the courtyard.
Then, there was the hole! Structural and plumbing work was first on the agenda.
Demolition is always a messy business, especially in a 187-year-old building.
The French Quarter is famous for its wonderful hidden courtyards, and these buildings did not disappoint!
It's easy to recognize the "good bones."
There is a lot of curiosity about what's behind that scaffolding.
These classic Creole structures, built by Dr. Isadore Labatut in 1831, are considered among the finest buildings in Vieux Carre. When renovations are complete, their addition will nearly double the size of our gallery.
Living History
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We anticipate that the new galleries will debut in the Fall of 2019, but there is still so much work to be done. We hope you will check back in to see our progress as we forge ahead with the renovations.
Step inside and see the progress we are making.
As the saying goes, things got worse before they got better!
Demolition and Excavation
There's a lot of work to be done.
Where We Started
During our research, we discovered that the site of these buildings holds a rather significant place in New Orleans' history:
It was on this lot that the great fire of December 8, 1794 broke out just as the city was recovering from a devastating blaze in 1788. Of this, the Baron Carondelet report[ed] "on the 8th of the current month, at two o'clock in the afternoon, a fire was started on Royal Street by some children, who were inadvertently playing in the patio of Don Francisco Meyonne, close to a warehouse in which hay was stored. The fire was so devastating, due to the sudden force of a violent north wind, that in less than three hours, two hundred and twelve houses, and the most valuable warehouses of the city were reduced to ashes...."
Noted New Orleans historian Lyle Saxon described the new city that rose from the ashes: "The city that fell before the flames was a congested French community of wooden houses, badly arranged and irregular. A stately Spanish city rose in its stead […]. "
Shaping History
We aren't really sure what was happening here...but, oh, those arches!
With Demolition Finally Over, Our Vision Can Start to Take Shape
It's Getting Better
If you love exposed brick, you're in for a treat!
That was then...
This is now.
Beautiful archways, french doors and transoms can be found throughout both buildings.
This little nook has a lot of character and seems like the perfect spot for a temporary office.
Another gorgeous transom.
It's all about the curves!
Soaring ceilings give these rooms a grand air.
Great care is being taken to preserve and restore these architectural gems.
The courtyards of these two buildings are one their most charming features.
See Our Progress
There's a lot of work to be done.
Where We Started
As the saying goes, things got worse before they got better!
Demolition and Excavation
With Demolition Finally Over, Our Vision Can Start to Take Shape
It's Getting Better
We anticipate that the new galleries will debut in the Fall of 2019, but there is still so much work to be done. We hope you will check back in to see our progress as we forge ahead with the renovations.
You know the old saying "It's going to get worse before it gets better?" We are pleased to report that things are really getting better at our new galleries! Interior walls are being framed, balconies are repaired, and there is even a bit of paint being spread around. Here are a few new pictures that show our progress.
To the left are the openings that now connect our two buildings. The doorway in the far back of this room leads to the stairs that would have accessed the building where the home's original family's staff would have worked and lived.
The new elevator will provide access to each of the floors, making it a lot easier to move heavy furniture between floors! This may be the most exciting part of the renovation for our hard-working operations team.
The framing for new walls flank this original fireplace that will remain as a focal point for this large room.
A new stairwell leads to the finished fourth floor and framing for the new 2nd story restrooms is complete.
Great pains have been taken to restore the buildings' original doors and windows. The restoration is about 90% complete and workers are beginning to reinstall and paint them.
Balcony restoration, stucco repair and exterior painting are almost complete.
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress!
Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
November 2018 Update
We're Making Progress!
Renovation Update
We're Making Progress!
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress! Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
Gallery
Expansion
December 2018 Update
It's Starting to Take Shape!
With most of the exterior work completed and the scaffolding gone, our new buildings are really starting to shine. We're adding sheetrock, the electricians are onsite, and the courtyard is getting a final facelift.
The scaffolds are gone...
But the work behind the scenes continues.
The walls are taking shape.
The electricians are onsite.
Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
It's Starting to Take Shape!
Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
March 2019 Update
Walls and Wires
The electricians have been busy installing what seems to be miles of wires, the sheetrock is being hung throughout the building, and the roofers have completed our beautiful copper roof. Trim is being fitted, window restoration is almost complete and the courtyard is almost finished. Here are a few photos showing the progress!
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress!
Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
One of the main galleries on the first floor serves as a staging area for materials. These towering ceilings are quite dramatic.
Our electricians are doing a remarkable job installing electrical and communications wires throughout the building. This structure may be two centuries old, but this renovation is state-of-the art!
Sheetrock is being finished, and, you guessed it...more wires are being run.
That gorgeous transom is original to the building and adds so much character.
With the walls complete and insulation finished, we are already starting to envision these rooms filled with art and treasures!
Carpenters are working throughout the building adding trim and reinstalling these original, restored windows
March 2019 Update
Walls and Wires
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress!
Stay tuned for more updates over the upcoming weeks.
April 2019 Update
Wood Floors & Sheetrock!
With sheetrock up, painting underway and the wood floors going down, our new gallery is nearing completion! There's still a LOT of work to be done, but we can finally start to see the final vision taking shape. Take a look at our latest photos.
With its fresh coat of paint and refurbished shutters, this building is a real jewel on Royal Street.
Insulation may not be the most exciting part of this renovation, but here in New Orleans, it's a BIG necessity!
We are in love with this curving staircase! Don't worry, we also have an elevator!
The wood floors are going down and they are gorgeous!
Beautiful transoms and white trim are stunning against the deep, rich color on the walls.
Workers have been busy installing sheetrock throughout the building. It won't be long before a fresh coat of paint goes on and the light fixutres are installed.
There are just a few final touches to make on the windows, doors and shutters, and our incredible courtyard will be complete!
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress!
Things are moving at a quicker pace now that we've entered the cosmetic stage of the project. With our completion date fast approaching, we hope you will make plans to visit us in New Orleans to see this amazing new addition. We'll keep you posted!
We hope you enjoyed seeing our progress! Things are moving at a quicker pace now that we've entered the cosmetic stage of the project. With our completion date fast approaching, we hope you will make plans to visit us in New Orleans to see this amazing new addition. We'll keep you posted!
There are just a few finishing touches to complete before this phase of our renovation concludes! It won't be long until we are filling it with treasures and hanging masterpieces!
The new entrance to the gallery combines historical integrity with modern technology! These sleek sliding glass doors provide security and help keep us cool.
From the very beginning of the renovation, it has been our goal to restore as many of the building's original features as possible. You will find gorgeous architectural gems such as this throughout the gallery.
Once renovations are complete, this hallway will seamlessly connect the new building with the existing gallery. It will also lead to an inviting, classic New Orleans courtyard where our guests can relax and ponder their next acquisition.
The cool blue of walls and the gorgeous light streaming through this wall of windows make this a favorite spot in the gallery. This was just one more example of the wonderful original features that we lovingly restored.
Pictures simply cannot capture the beauty of this original staircase. Soaring over three stories, it is a quintessential feature in many of the finest French Quarter structures.
This photo highlights two very different, but equally traditional features. The arched transom to the right and the exquisite casework to the left are both original features of what was once two separate buildings.
Second floor rooms await just a few technical additions and baseboards before we can declare them complete!
It is hard to convey the scale and grandness of these rooms in a photograph. High ceilings that were once more a function of climate control, now lend a majestic quality to these second floor galleries. This fireplace, along with several others, is original to the building.
Now that the interior is nearing completion we are turning our attention to the main courtyard transformation. Because New Orleans sits below sea level, the exceptionally high water of the Mississippi River has made it difficult to finish our work here without encountering issues with a soggy water table. Nonetheless, once complete, this courtyard will be open to our guests to enjoy...a rare treat in the French Quarter where sumptuous courtyards are often hidden and private.
We would be remiss if we didn't share at least one photo of the new elevator that will give our guests easy access to all three floors of the gallery. Perhaps the rarity of such a luxury in most historical French Quarter structures might explain our unusual excitement over...an elevator!
Here are a few more pictures taken throughout the gallery...
Stay tuned for more updates!
June 2019 Update
Finishing Touches!
June 2019 Update
Finishing Touches!
Here are a few more pictures taken throughout the gallery...
A fresh coat of historically-accurate paint and this fine fellow will greet guests at our new entrance.
A sleek entrance hall awaits behind those classic French Quarter double doors.
Where old meets new. This hallway seamlessly connects the existing gallery with the new space. We're busy filling these spaces with art and treasures.
Our spacious new gallery provides plenty of room for these wonderful pieces to really shine.
We are thrilled with the second-floor painting gallery!
Stay tuned for our final update when we'll share our before and after photos!
It's hard to believe...this is where it all started!
Stay tuned for our final update when we'll share our before and after photos!
We are busy filling the new gallery with treasures and we're just a final cleanup and a few loose ends away from announcing our grand opening in November. We hope you have enjoyed witnessing this remarkable transformation and we look forward to giving you a grand tour!
September 2019 Update
We're Done! (Well, almost)
September 2019 Update
We're Done!
(Well, almost)
November 2019 Update
The New Gallery is OPEN!
Its been a long road, but we are thrilled to report that our renovation is complete and the new gallery is open for business! It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come to transform these historic French Quarter buildings into an elegant gallery space. We hope you will make plans to visit us and see it for yourself! Meanwhile, enjoy our before and after photos, and time lapse vide
BEFORE & AFTER
Bare walls and dirt floors were beautifully transformed!
That giant hole in the ground is now our elevator, which gives all of our clients access to the gallery's upper floors.
Halls once filled with scaffolding and dust are now filled with rare treasures!
The second floor is now the home to our fine art collection!
We hope you have enjoyed coming along on this incredible journey with us and we would love to welcome you to New Orleans and give you a tour of the gallery!
November 2019
The New Gallery Is OPEN!
We hope you have enjoyed coming along on this incredible journey with us and we would love to welcome you to New Orleans and give you a tour of the gallery!