A Historic Courthouse Becomes Senior Housing

An 1855 New Orleans courthouse that later became a school will now enter its third act as an assisted living facility, reports Kriston Capps in Bloomberg CityLab. The building, threatened by demolition for decades, underwent a three-year renovation and got 200,000 square feet of new space to reopen this February as housing for senior residents.

The historic Greek Revival courthouse, beloved by neighbors, needed major work. “For the builders, the challenge was coming up with ways to introduce modern elements in a 168-year-old building that didn’t draw attention to themselves or challenge the integrity of the historic design.”

The renovated complex features a central hub with dining spaces, lounges, and other amenities, residential units, some with ‘neighborhood setups’ and street-facing balconies, and a bar open to the public so neighbors can enjoy the fruits of their preservation work.

The project is being well-received by locals, Capps writes. “Historic preservation efforts sometimes come up short. Buildings get lost; well-meaning neighbors can fight so hard against change that they block progress. With the Carrollton, according to its builders, everybody wins.”