Downtown Living: May 2017
Events: Downtown Development District Seeks Nominations for the 2017 Downtown NOLA Awards
The Downtown Development District is seeking nominees for the 6th annual Downtown NOLA Awards, created to celebrate honorees who have made an exceptional impact on the Downtown New Orleans neighborhood. The DDD requests submissions for nominations of individuals, organizations or businesses deserving of this prestigious recognition.
To be considered, nominees must meet one of the following criteria:
Downtown Inspiration – Downtown property owner, business, resident or worker who is a leader, collaborator and advocate for Downtown development.
iMinder – An individual with proven success in one of the DDD’s core industries: arts-based businesses; digital media; or bio sciences.
3rd Space – A “third space” is a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, green space, etc. that provides a creative environment for people to collaborate, work and network.
Development Project – An individual or organization that has completed a project that improves the quality of life Downtown.
Adaptive Reuse – Preservationists and owners of homes and businesses who keep the integrity of Downtown’s historic buildings, while modernizing them for reuse.
Facade Improvement Project – Building owner or lessee that has invested in improving the appearance of their building’s facade. The facade improvement must be a quality renovation that will enhance and be consistent with the historical design, materials and architectural character reflected in the original design of the building.
Public Improvement Project – Local public works project that improves the environment of Downtown NOLA.
Green Project – A resident, business or property owner that helps keep Downtown green.
Best Kept Secret – Presented to one of Downtown’s gems that is low profile, but deserves recognition for its programs, services or amenities it provides to the neighborhood.
The Downtown NOLA Awards was created by the DDD as an annual program to recognize exceptional accomplishments of Downtown property owners, businesses, residents, workers and organizations. The DDD aims to honor the people and places that inspire, innovate and integrate the Downtown NOLA brand into their Downtown neighborhoods. To submit nominations, visit downtownnola.com.
Arts: Arts Market Downtown New Orleans
The Downtown Development District has partnered with the Arts Council of New Orleans to present the Arts Market Downtown. Celebrating and promoting local artists, the Downtown Arts Market will features fine arts and crafts, local musicians and popular food trucks during select First Saturday Art Walks at the intersection of Julia and Carondelet streets from 4-9 p.m.
“It is fitting that such a program should come to Downtown NOLA, and we are excited to partner with the Arts Council on this project,” says Kurt Weigle, DDD president and CEO. “Downtown NOLA offers artists more inspiration than most any other city in America, in addition to many other desired amenities.” downtownnola.com, artsneworleans.org
Accommodations: The Troubadour
Part of the boutique hotel craze that’s sweeping the Downtown area, The Troubadour Hotel is in a class of its own. After a $10 million renovation, the long-defunct Rault Center on the corner of Gravier and S. Rampart streets was transformed into a 17-story, 184-room landmark boutique hotel managed by San Francisco-based company Joie de Vivre. Featuring pet-friendly rooms, local artwork, a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi and valet parking, The Troubadour Hotel is a chic downtown option aimed at Millennials, but certainly welcoming to all.
Though the dining options in the area around the hotel have definitely increased over the last year, there’s no need to stray far because The Troubadour also features Petit Lion, a new restaurant helmed by creative local chef Phillip Lopez of Root, Square Root and Part & Parcel. Petit Lion’s menu resembles that of a French bistro influenced by local flavor with dishes like scallop crudo with pink peppercorn and passion fruit; smoked trout rillette; and a croque monsieur with house-made ham, gruyere and bechamel. The Troubadour also features a hip, rooftop bar dubbed Monkey Board with well-crafted cocktails, food truck-type fare and local Djs. 1111 Gravier St., (504) 518-5800, jdvhotels.com
Dining: Liberty’s Kitchen opens Second Location Downtown
A nonprofit dedicated to offering career paths in the restaurant and hospitality industry for disconnected New Orleans youth, Liberty’s Kitchen opened a second location on Poydras Street inside Freeport McMoRan building. Located on the third floor, the renovated cafeteria space not only offers all of the well-loved classics, it also serves as a training ground for alumni of the program seeking long-term career advancement. Liberty’s Kitchen’s new location offers a similar menu to the original, serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Dishes offered include quiche, breakfast tacos, Liberty’s Salad with mixed greens and seasoned chicken, a black bean burger with avocado mash and a spicy turkey sandwich. The cafeteria also serves beverages from Starbucks Coffee. 1615 Poydras St., libertyskitchen.org
Development: Pythian Market
The Central Business District continues to boom with the development of the Pythian building on the corner of Loyola Avenue and Gravier Street. The century-old, landmark Pythian building was the former hiring office of famed WWII boat-builder Andrew Jackson Higgins. Green Coast, ERG Enterprises and Crescent City Community Land Trust are developing the historic property into a mixed-use property with 20,000 square feet of office and retail space, and almost 70 apartments.
The Pythian Market, a food hall featuring 19 different vendors, will be a similar arrangement to spaces like St. Roch Market in Bywater and Roux Carre in Central City. So far, Frencheeze and La Cocinita food trucks, plus Laurel Street Bakery, have already locked in spots as vendors in the new market. With approximately 11,000 square feet of space, the Pythian Market will have a commissary kitchen on site and three separate entrances around the perimeter of the building. The Pythian building is expected to open to the public during late summer of this year. 234 Loyola Ave., thepythian-nola.com