Bon Ton Prime Rib

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About this Project

  • Owner

    Centraarchy Restaurants

  • Location

    401 Magazine St. New Orleans LA 70130

  • Designer

    SCNZ Architects

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The renovation of the Bon Ton Prime Rib restaurant in the historic Natchez Building involved extensive work on the ground floor following a fire in 2023. RGGC was tasked with transforming the space into a modern restaurant while preserving its historic features. The scope of work included new kitchen equipment, built-in banquette seating, a new bar, and upgraded finishes throughout the dining area. A new wall of wine and lighting were also added to enhance the atmosphere.

In addition to the interior work, RGGC installed new fire alarm and sprinkler systems, as well as life safety upgrades to meet code requirements, including accessibility changes for ADA compliance. The second floor now houses a new fire pump room, while HVAC equipment is located on the third floor. The building’s exterior was also addressed with new sidewalk pavers.

One of the challenges of this project was integrating modern systems like fire pumps and backflow preventers into the building’s small and irregular footprint. Additionally, the original building had only one exit stair, so our team worked closely with code officials to implement safety upgrades to meet current fire safety standards. The preservation of historical elements like the original Bon Ton Cafe signage, which is now installed in the restroom vestibule, was also an important part of this job.