Changing day by day, the Downtown neighborhood of New Orleans always has something new and exciting going on. Visit and see for yourself!
Art: May gallery & residency
Formerly located in the Ninth Ward, May gallery & residency has relocated Downtown on the corner of Carondelet and Julia streets, revitalizing a vacant space in the Arts District. Currently occupying 5,000 square feet in the building that once housed Florists’ Transworld Delivery, May was created “to bring transparency and accessibility to contemporary art and the process of its production, artist’s intent, their concept and the resulting art experience.” The gallery produces original artwork and installations for exhibition by international contemporary artists and, at the same time, offers free educational programming to the city of New Orleans as well as the rest of the Southeastern United States. May residency hosts a few artists each year, which culminate in a three-month exhibition of the works produced by each artist. 750 Carondelet St., (504) 316-3474, may-neworleans.org
Habitat: The Beacon at South Market District
One of the latest residencies to spring up Downtown, The Beacon at the South Market District is an upscale apartment community created by local architectural firm Eskew+Dumez+Ripple. The complex offers a various number of apartment layouts with huge windows and 10-foot ceilings, Energy Star-rated appliances, custom built-in closets, hardwood floors, and designer lighting and fixtures. Some highlights of The Beacon’s amenities include a fourth-floor terrace with gorgeous landscaping, full-time concierge, fully equipped fitness center, yoga studio and a media room. Possibly one of the most interesting aspects of The Beacon is its MYDOMAIN suite of services, which include a social media-based resident platform and exclusive online community for residents, online rent-payment, online maintenance requests and more. 1000 Girod St., (855) 291-7520, beaconnola.com
Coiffure: Rooster Club Barbers of New Orleans
Recently opened on the ground floor of the 925 Common apartment complex, The Rooster Club Barbers of New Orleans is an upscale barbershop, which is the first business to open in the previously vacant 10,500 square feet of space. This clean, modern barbershop offers everything from haircuts and shaves to coloring and manicures, all done with the latest and greatest equipment by a skilled and friendly staff. The Rooster Club Barbers of New Orleans is located near the corner of Common Street and Roosevelt Way, and is open Monday through Saturday. 925 Common St., (504) 603-2435,
the-rooster-club.com