639 Desire Street Restoration Receives 2025 Louisiana Landmarks Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Holly & Smith Architects is honored to be recognized by the Louisiana Landmarks Society with a 2025 Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for our work on 639 Desire Street—a remarkable example of 19th-century residential architecture located in New Orleans’ Faubourg Montreuil neighborhood.

Built circa 1841, the center hall home showcases a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Our restoration efforts focused on preserving the structure’s historic integrity while introducing modern updates that meet today’s standards for livability and longevity. Central to the project was the preservation of the home’s original Norman post-and-beam construction, featuring mortise, tenon, and pegged connections. A key challenge was converting the large, unfinished attic into a primary suite while respecting the building’s historic character.

Extensive research helped confirm the home’s age and ownership history, and led to the restoration of a detached “dependency” that once served as the kitchen and servants’ quarters. Non-contributing additions were removed to return the dependency to its original form. The project adhered to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and successfully coordinated with the Historic District Landmarks Commission, the State Office of Historic Preservation, and the National Park Service to secure historic tax credits.

Founded in 1950, the Louisiana Landmarks Society is New Orleans’ oldest citywide preservation nonprofit, known for safeguarding iconic structures such as Gallier Hall and the Old Carrollton Courthouse. The Society promotes the city’s architectural heritage through advocacy, education, and programs like the annual Preservation Awards and the “New Orleans Nine Most Endangered Sites.”

We are grateful to have collaborated with a dedicated team including Michael and Denise Holly, AIA; 639 Desire LLC; Labbe Construction Co. LLC; Abry Brothers Inc.; Gold Leaf LLC; and Row 10 Historic Preservation Solutions, LLC.

This award is a testament to the value of thoughtful preservation and our commitment to honoring the architectural legacy of New Orleans.

Learn more about the award and other honored projects at louisianalandmarks.org.