The Historic New Orleans Collection - 416 Chartres Street

The former K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen at 416 Chartres was renovated into exhibit design and fabrication space, digital media production, and office and conference areas for The Historic New Orleans Collection. Historic wood framing and masonry were reinforced to support a new slate roof and upgraded building systems, and the existing elevator shaft was modified to house a front-and-rear traction elevator serving all three floors. A 16-inch grade differential to THNOC’s adjacent Williams Research Center was resolved by pouring a new slab with waterproofing and accessibility features, creating a direct connection between the two buildings. The structure combined wood joists running parallel to Chartres and steel bar joists running perpendicular, which required custom detailing to weave new plumbing, ductwork, and framing around existing conditions. Acoustical separation between the first-floor woodshop and office levels above was addressed with an acoustic mat below the second floor, a triple-layer insulated ceiling on the first floor, and isolated assemblies in select areas, resulting in 21 ceiling types throughout. Rehabilitation of the historic interior masonry was completed with specialized mortar and hand tools to preserve character while resolving moisture issues. Life-safety requirements were met by adding additional sprinkler coverage inside and securing a code variance due to the granite cornice, while utilities required precise installation of a new storm drain inlet through granite façade elements and grade beams. Interior finishes include polished concrete on the first floor for the woodshop, finishing, and collection spaces, along with two new restrooms. The second and third floors received new hardwood flooring, storefront office and conference systems, and open workstations, with two additional restrooms on the second floor. Exterior work included rebuilding balcony decking and a full repaint, completing a renovation that preserved the historic fabric while delivering a functional, connected, and modern workplace.