One of the iconic constructions within the Carrollton part of Uptown — the 168-year-old Carrollton Courthouse — is now open for enterprise as an upscale aged care facility that might be generally known as The Carrollton.
On Wednesday, dozens of stakeholders celebrated the official opening of the 93-unit facility after a three-year renovation that value greater than $30 million and has directly restored the Greek Revival constructing to its former glory and in addition reimagined it because the centerpiece of a three-building complicated of greater than 100,000 sq. ft.
The ability may have 73 assisted residing models and 20 reminiscence care models, with widespread areas, luxurious facilities and parking.
Entrance corridor of The Carrollton, an upscale aged care facility positioned at 703 S. Carrollton Ave. within the historic Carrollton Courthouse constructing.
The undertaking is the brainchild of two corporations: Felicity Property Firm, an area actual property growth and brokerage agency owned by Thomas Winingder and Patrick Schindler; and North Carolina-based Liberty Healthcare Administration, which owns and operates some two dozen aged residing services throughout the southeast.
The workforce acquired the constructing for $4.7 million in 2018, after the Orleans Parish College Board bought it at public sale. On the time, it had been vacant for 5 years, deteriorating, and was a rising supply of concern within the neighborhood.
Schindler, whose agency has finished different historic renovations, stated the constructing was fascinating due to its location and historic structure. Creating an aged care facility on the location made sense due to the rising demand for senior housing and the restrictions with what may very well be finished in a historic constructing, he stated.
“There’s numerous pent-up demand for senior housing and it’s such an iconic constructing,” he stated. “Response has been nice.”
Whereas the constructing will add extra aged care stock to the market, the ability will goal well-heeled retirees. All models might be personal pay, with month-to-month charges for a studio condo beginning at round $6,000 and growing, relying on the extent of care wanted, stated Invoice White, The Carrollton’s administrator.
Wealthy historical past
The Carrollton Courthouse was designed and constructed by famed architect Henry Howard because the seat of Jefferson Parish authorities, when Carrollton was a separate metropolis positioned in Jefferson.
When the town of New Orleans annexed Carrollton within the late 1870s, the constructing grew to become a faculty — first McDonogh College No. 23, then Benjamin Franklin Excessive College and, most just lately, an extension campus for Lusher and Audubon constitution colleges.
It was vacated in 2013 and sat deserted for a number of years. In 2015, it made the Louisiana Landmarks Society’s checklist of most endangered native historic landmarks and in addition the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation’s checklist of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Locations.
Visitors mingle at a ribbon chopping ceremony, Wednesday, Feb. 15, within the Colonnade Eating Room at The Carrollton, an upscale aged care complicated within the historic Carrollton Courthouse constructing.
Whereas the undertaking is the primary aged care facility in Felicity Property’s portfolio, it’s not the agency’s first historic renovation or, even the primary Howard constructing it has restored.
A number of years in the past, it redeveloped The St. Anna on Prytania Road within the Decrease Backyard District into luxurious residences. The previous dwelling for widows and orphans was designed and constructed by Howard in 1853.
Ageing inhabitants
To date, about 15% of the models in The Carrollton have been leased, in keeping with officers with Liberty Healthcare, which says they’ve one other dozen or so on a listing of significant prospects.
Models will vary in measurement from 500-800 sq. ft and can all be studio and one-bedroom residences.
Widespread areas have been embellished with authentic works curated by the New Orleans Arts Council. Facilities will embody restaurant-style eating for assisted residing residents, a bar and bistro for residents and their visiting visitors, and a personal eating room for big gatherings.
Reminiscence care residents may have a separate eating space.
Liberty Healthcare proprietor John “Sandy” McNeil stated his firm was drawn to the market due to the rising want for senior housing and, notably for services that present a reasonable stage of care in an upscale setting.
“We noticed a chance right here for a stage of service that we now have finished in different places,” McNeil stated.
