What's Next in New Orleans?

New Orleans continues to raise the bar on its tourism offerings with several multimillion-dollar development projects designed to greatly enhance the city’s riverfront between Spanish Plaza and Crescent Park over the next several years.

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“New Orleans will now be home to one of the largest contiguous riverfront parks in the US, which is a huge win for every resident and visitor of our city,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Projects underway include a new Four Seasons property, a new ferry terminal building, a new pedestrian footbridge and renovations to the Spanish Plaza and the Moonwalk.

“The riverfront redevelopment will not only link commercial areas along the Mississippi with recreational space, it will also beautify a long-neglected stretch of the riverfront with a new park,” said New Orleans District C Councilmember Nadine Ramsey. “The coming Four Seasons, the renovation of Spanish Plaza, and the new ferry terminal and walkover are all assets to the city and signs of the economic boom we are currently experiencing.”

Among other things, the projects will provide visitors with uninterrupted access to the riverfront from Crescent Park to Spanish Plaza.

Of particular interest to agents who sell luxury travel is the New Orleans Four Seasons Hotel and Residences project, which will renovate the World Trade Center to create a 401-room property with 65 condominiums. The hotel will include two restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a rooftop pool and deck area and a rooftop bar.

The $400-million project also calls for a two-story rooftop cupola on the 33rd and 34th floors, which will serve as a public observation floor and roof deck. Additionally, it will include a public exhibit space on the second floor that will focus on The Big Easy’s history and culture. The project is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2020.

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A $37 million Ferry Terminal Project will include a new 5,000-square foot terminal building that will connect to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Plaza and to the Canal Street Wharf.

A $7.3 million Ferry Pedestrian Bridge adjacent to the aquarium will connect to a new bus terminal and the riverfront streetcar.

The Spanish Plaza will be the recipient of a $7.5 million facelift, which will include a new fountain, as well as trees and plants. The renovation is expected to enhance the visitor experience with better space for restaurants and vendors.

The Moonwalk is slated to undergo a $3 million revitalization, including wide steps that will transport visitors to the Mississippi River, an expanded plaza close to Washington Artillery Park and shade trees.

Additional projects include a $15 million conversion of the Esplanade and Governor Nicholls Street Wharves and $6 million in enhancements to the Woldenberg Riverfront Park.