A city selection committee picked a Four Seasons proposal to redevelop the now shuttered World Trade Center at 2 Canal Street in New Orleans on Tuesday.
"Today, the Selection Committee for the 2 Canal Street Redevelopment RFP selected Carpenter/Woodward (Four Seasons) as the preferred developer to redevelop the iconic building that sits at the foot of Canal Street," said a statement from Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Carpenter & Company Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., had proposed transforming the WTC into a 350-room Four Seasons hotel with about 76 private residences. The former Top of the Mart restaurant would become a two-story public observation deck with an exhibit that explores the history of New Orleans. The project is estimated to cost $360 million.
"Through the open and competitive process championed by my administration, the City received ten impressive proposals that were eventually narrowed to five and presented to the Selection Committee for consideration. All five proposals were strong and forward-thinking, but unfortunately we could only select one. I thank each developer for their interest in New Orleans, and I hope they continue to invest in New Orleans for years to come," Landrieu said.
"We remain committed to creating a world-class space at 2 Canal Street that maximizes this building's full potential, reimagines our riverfront, benefits our entire city and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations," Landrieu said.
The city is hoping that re-imaging the 50-year-old, 33-story landmark will "turbocharge" redevelopment along the central riverfront and Spanish Plaza area along the Mississippi.
Here were the other finalists for the development and their plans:
Conrad luxury hotel and residences
2 Canal Street Redevelopment LLC -- headed up by Daryl Berger of The Berger Co., Roger Ogden of Ogden Development, Joseph Jaeger of MCC Real Estate and Dr. Norman Francis of the Norman Francis Family Trust – proposed to convert the building into a Conrad luxury hotel and residences.
The building would have included 307 guest rooms and 120 private residences. The old Top of the Mart restaurant would have become a public observation deck with 360-degree views of the city. The project is estimated to cost $291.7 million.
Crescent Hotel and luxury apartments
HRI Properties proposed building out the structure as The Crescent Hotel & The Crescent Tower Luxury Apartments. Their plan called for 309 hotel rooms, operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and 261 private residences.
The project also was said to include an interactive exhibit on the 31st floor that focuses on the history of the city and a revolving restaurant and bar in the old Top of the Mart space on the 33rd floor. Dickie Brennan & Co. would operate the restaurant and bar. The project would cost about $265 million.
Godfrey Hotel and apartments
Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group's proposal called for a 516-room Godfrey Hotel, 166 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments, and one- two- and three-bedroom penthouse apartments. There would be a jazz club on the 31st floor and a rotating lounge at the top of the tower where the Top of the Mart was once located. The project is estimated to cost $256.6 million.
Hotel Alessandra and Kermit Ruffins jazz lounge
Two Canal Street Investors' proposal called for a 318-room Hotel Alessandra New Orleans, jazz lounge headlined by Kermit Ruffins in the former Top of the Mart location and 240 luxury apartments branded The Alessandra Residences. The World Trade Center of New Orleans would return its offices to the building under the proposed plan. The project is estimated to cost $237.8 million.
Once a bustling office tower, its tenants slowly moved out, and the city in March 2012 closed on a $2.3 million deal with the World Trade Center of New Orleans to give the city full control over the redevelopment of the 670,000-square-foot tower and its grounds.
Tuesday's Selection Committee's recommendation will be submitted to the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) Board of Directors who will make a final decision whether to enter into negotiations with Carpenter/Woodward (Four Seasons) on a long-term lease agreement.
