“When attendees walk into the NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans, a grand hall lobby entrance will await them, featuring a 21-foot-high vaulted ceiling, arches, decorative columns, wood wall paneling, brass grills and terrazzo flooring.”
The historic headquarters of the former New Orleans Public Service Inc. will be brought back to life in the form of a 217-room hotel called NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans. Originally opened in 1927, the nine-story brick building is currently undergoing a massive renovation to recreate some of its original highlights, including street facades, cast iron rails and stone panels. The hotel’s 74 suites, a regionally inspired restaurant, 10,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and a rooftop pool and bar will attract groups to New Orleans when it debuts in spring 2017.
When attendees walk into the hotel, a grand hall lobby entrance will await them, featuring a 21-foot-high vaulted ceiling, arches, decorative columns, wood wall paneling, brass grills and terrazzo flooring. The adjacent former Dryades Building will also be converted into a 4,000-sf meeting and event space. It will feature a preserved, 24-foot-high crane and track, which was once used to transport transformers to storage vaults for repair. Additionally, the hotel’s ballroom will feature massive arched windows and a 30-foot ceiling, and outdoor space will be available on the hotel’s outdoor patio and rooftop terrace.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar, dubbed Public Service, will be situated off the lobby and feature a revolving menu of local Gulf Coast seafood, a raw bar, hand-tossed pizzas and a wide range of craft, draft and bottled beer. Live entertainment, a chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen and communal tables will help create a lively, interactive atmosphere. Plus, a private dining room will be available upstairs for groups.
Because the renovation will uphold the 128-foot-high building’s historic significance, the project team worked closely with Louisiana’s State Historic Preservation Office to make sure the building’s architectural integrity is preserved. NOPSI Hotel will be managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts and will be a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, joining other well-known properties that focus on luxury accommodations and personal service.
