New Orleans
In December 2013, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center introduced high-density wireless networks that support thousands of concurrently connected devices. The convention center also recently completed a $52 million renovation and reconfiguration of space that resulted in the Great Hall, a 60,000-square-foot, column-free ballroom. The renovation also included a 4,700-square-foot junior ballroom with a rooftop terrace, along with 25,000 square feet of prefunction space.
The historic buildings housing The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans will undergo a $2 million restoration, including bringing the facades to their early 20th century glory. The restorative efforts follow the recent renovations of the guest rooms and Club Level.
The National WWII Museum is undergoing a multimillion-dollar expansion that is scheduled for completion in 2017. The project will quadruple the size of the original museum, including the addition of exhibit space and libraries.
The Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, formerly Riverwalk Marketplace, reopened in May as the nation’s first outlet center in the heart of a downtown. It showcases many national retailers for the first time in New Orleans, such as Last Call by Neiman Marcus and Coach.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will add a 650,000-square-foot North Terminal featuring two concourses and 30 gates to more efficiently serve the 9 million-plus visitors that annually come through the airport. The project, which is scheduled for completion in 2018 to coincide with the city’s tercentennial celebrations, includes an on-site hotel.
St. Tammany Parish
The Southern Hotel, a historic 42-room boutique property, opened at the end of May after a renovation that included updates to its 2,400-square-foot ballroom. The Ox Lot 9 restaurant will open later this summer.
The 82-room Wingate by Wyndham opened in December 2013 in Slidell. The hotel has meeting space for 25 people, a heated indoor pool and a lounge.
The 84-room Holiday Inn Express opened in March in Covington. The property is less than a mile from the Pinnacle Shopping Center.