Maison de la Luz from Atelier Ace is a new luxury guesthouse designed in collaboration by EskewDumezRipple and interior design firm Studio Shamshiri. The design team worked in tandem to transform the legacy six-story, 55,464-square-foot former City Hall annex into a sophisticated destination. Located in the warehouse district near Lafayette Square, the 1906 building was originally designed by Allison Owen of Diboll and Owen Architects in the Italianate style, typical of turn-of-the-century buildings in New Orleans. The hotel offers 67 guest rooms, a private guest lounge and dining room, plus support spaces. Each guest room is set back from the shared hallway by an interior vestibule.
Photo credit: Stephen Kent Johnson
Inspired by the building’s storied history, the designers breathe new life and purpose into the building via several design interventions. A restored monumental entry portico covered by an ornamental iron and glass canopy defines the entry into the building. Upon entry, a new archway helps emphasize the foyer’s verticality, while diffused lighting and custom mauve-lavender paint round out the soothing private sanctuary. The original historic grand stair was preserved and continues to function as the primary entry to the building. A new, bespoke concierge desk welcomes and orients guests.
Photo credit: Stephen Kent Johnson
Along with a variety of original lighting fixtures and historic windows, colorful marble floors, French wallpaper, and a carefully curated selection of furniture—including skirted armchairs, copper-topped tables, and elaborate Roman mosaic-tile baths—complete the aesthetic. Wherever possible, the design team worked to maintain a variety of original lighting fixtures. The Living Room serves as a lobby where guests can play board games, host a meeting, or have a pre-dinner cocktail—all under light fixtures inspired by corset boning. Bar Marilou, the aperitif bar, was developed by Quixotic Projects and features a separate address and entrance from the hotel.
Photo credit: Stephen Kent Johnson
Local artists and artisans contributed to the design with pieces unique to individual rooms within. The project included meticulously restoring key historic elements, modernization of building systems, and upgrades to the building’s stormwater management system (designed in collaboration with Spackman Mossop Michaels) to meet the City of New Orleans’s new resilience initiatives for stormwater.
EskewDumezRipple project team
Steve Dumez, FAIA
Jason Richards, AIA
Pearson Smith, AIA
Emily Heausler
Max Katz, AIA
Chris Jackson
Consultant team
Architect of Record: EskewDumezRipple
Interior designer: Studio Shamshiri
Contractor: Palmisano
Civil Engineer: Morphy Makofsky, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Morphy Makofsky, Inc.
Mechanical Engineer: Pontchartrain Mechanical (Design/Build)
Electrical Engineer: Frischhertz Electric Co. (Design/Build)
Landscape: Spackman Mossop Michaels
Lighting: Sean O’ Connor
Clients: Domain Companies (Developer) / Atelier Ace (Operator)
Photographer: Stephen Kent Johnson
