The Roosevelt New Orleans
The Waldorf Astoria Collection

The Team: Dimension Development (owners); Steven J. Finegan, Architects of New Orleans; Paradigm Design Group
The Brief: Restore the grandeur of an old classic, the 116-year-old New Orleans landmark that has been a favorite of Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long, presidents and other celebrities through the years.
The Project: The $170-million renovation completed in July 2009 touched every part of the hotel, from fine details on restored chandeliers to the 504 guestrooms, including 135 luxury suites, to the legendary Sazerac Bar.

The Finished Product: The grand hotel, which had been shuttered since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, reopened last year with its old name and renewed fame. Originally opened in 1893 as The Grunewald, the hotel’s legend began to grow after becoming The Roosevelt in 1923 in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. It became The Fairmont in 1965 and was closed after being severely damaged by Katrina, but it has returned in more than just name. Golden columns and overhanging Italian crystal chandeliers frame the entrance into the massive lobby with mosaic floors. Intricate and extravagant architectural details highlight nearly every piece of the iconic hotel.
The Focal Points: The Roosevelt wouldn’t be The Roosevelt without the Blue Room and the Sazerac Bar, both legends of their own. Once home to supper clubs and visits from Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong and Sonny and Cher, the reopened Blue Room once again features gleaming chandeliers, polished details and a beautiful venue for live music. The Sazerac Bar, the birthplace of the famed Sazerac cocktail and the Ramos Gin Fizz drink, returns with its original Art Deco murals created by artist Paul Ninas.