Baronne Street Hotel

The Baronne Street Hotel is a new, 3-unit boutique hotel located in the heart of Central City, New Orleans. Designed for large groups or families, each unit offers spacious accommodations with eight bedrooms, comfortably hosting up to 18 guests. The vibrant interiors, curated art, and elegant furnishings provide a stylish and welcoming environment for visitors, making it a perfect short-term home in the city. The hotel also features an outdoor terrace and swimming pool, offering guests a relaxing space to enjoy the New Orleans weather.

The design thoughtfully blends contemporary architecture with the historic charm of the neighborhood. Inspired by traditional New Orleans side-hall townhouses, the three-story structure fits seamlessly into the residential scale of the area, with a low-slope, hipped roof that mirrors the surrounding homes.

The Baronne Street Hotel reflects the diverse architectural heritage of New Orleans—modern in design, yet deeply connected to the city’s unique and vibrant spirit.

Restaurant One Thirteen

Restaurant One Thirteen was a historic renovation/adaptive reuse of a circa 1950 mid-century modern medical clinic, originally designed by a famed Louisiana modernist architect, John Desmond. The old clinic had been vacant for several years and was falling into disrepair. The client and architect identified the great potential in adapting the historic jewel into an up-scale restaurant. Extensive research determined that the original building (a gas station) had been added on to by John Desmond to create the mid-century modern classic. The architects took great care to keep intact those elements that were designed and added by John Desmond. All additions and renovations took place in the original “gas station” portion of the building. Some of the more character-defining elements of the Desmond structure included painted exposed structural steel, cypress wood soffits/ceilings, custom-built steel frame windows, and beautiful translucent Carrara marble, which was glazed into the window system. All of these elements were maintained and restored.

B on Canal Hotel Renovation

Originally constructed in 1927 as the Hotel New Orleans and greatly altered throughout its long life, the historic Canal Street property had seen better days. Undergoing a complete transformation, the B on Canal Hotel breathes new life into this venerable structure and reestablishes its place among the top classic New Orleans hotels. A comprehensive interior renovation included 157 redesigned guest rooms and suites, a reconfigured and restored lobby, the addition of a signature restaurant and bar, and a reimagined entrance on historic Canal Street.

The Moon Luxury Short-Term Accommodations

The Moon at 631 Desire Street is the renovation of a historic Quonset Hut structure located in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Quonset Hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated galvanized steel with a semicircular cross-section. Hundreds of thousands were produced during World War II, and the military surplus was sold to the public. The development of the prototype is considered one of the first pre-engineered metal buildings.

The Owners of 631 Desire, LLC saw an opportunity in this geometric structure with ribs spaced 4′ on center, to create a truly unique contemporary space within a very desirable historic neighborhood, known locally as the Bywater Neighborhood. This neighborhood is located on the Mississippi River, downriver from the historic French Quarter, and was formerly a neighborhood that housed people who worked on the river and related service industries. A bed and breakfast license was obtained, and a vision of a destination for visiting guests to call home while they explore the city of New Orleans. The Bywater Neighborhood is an attractive new neighborhood for guests from out of town to visit.

The building was originally used for storage and support space for a small service-related business. Like similar industrial types in the neighborhood, the structure was a diversion from the neighborhood vernacular, which primarily were Arts and Crafts era “shotgun” structures with ornate brackets and various levels of gingerbread detail. Before rehabilitation, the building exterior was deteriorated, but the main “bones” of the structure were intact and serviceable. There was a concrete floor and no utility services. The architects’ challenge was to find a way to take advantage of the 40′ x 80′ footprint.

The footprint included an enclosed 8′ wide alley that had, at some point, been roofed over with a lean to roof structure using similar structural elements. After an initial programming meeting with the developers, the following driving issues were determined with respect to the design of this facility:

– Internal courtyard that could be treated as an outdoor living room
– Secure and private access to the complex
– Natural light required in all habitable spaces
– Provide 6 bedrooms that had internally accessed bathrooms
– Flexible design that could allow multiple combinations of use
– Provide a living space for the manager
– Develop the rear building for future use as a meeting and event space
– Work with the Historic / Cultural District to obtain tax credits
– Provide a fresh modern environment

– Address the Mid Century Modern influences of the structure

After executing an initial analysis of the building, the architects quickly realized that the building with a structural spacing of 4′ on center could be treated like a loaf of bread. By removing specific slices, natural light could be acquired and used to enhance the living environment. This approach identified a central courtyard in which all en suite bedrooms could be located. The access was from the alley, where the old lean-to roof was removed and left open to the exterior. This allowed a private gate with a digital access lock to be installed. The bedrooms surrounded this courtyard, and the front apartment can be rented separately or can become the home base for all or a portion of the bedroom units that are being rented.

The exterior was stripped of its original deteriorated skin, and a new wood deck and metal skin were installed. The envelope was insulated using spray foam, and the curved interior ceilings were sheeted with corrugated metal. The street-facing façade was restored, and the windows facing the street were designed to emulate the existing doors that were originally in place. The exterior is in keeping with the original intent of the building. Yet, the interior & courtyard speak to the Mid Century Modern influence and is contemporary with details that reach back to the warehouse motif. The courtyard and alley were paved using concrete pavers, and a pylon was built to create an axis backdrop for a fountain centerpiece. The courtyard was then covered by a canvas awning to create shade and rain protection for the outdoor living area, which is cooled by the large ceiling and wall-mounted oscillating fans. The rear-building sloped roof was intercepted and shortened to allow a low sloped roof area to receive drainage and install mechanical equipment since there is no ground area to accommodate this within the property footprint.

The building is currently in operation and rented on a short term basis to individuals and groups coming to New Orleans to enjoy the city and the experience. In many cases, the Owners rented the entire complex to a single group, which caused the Owners to realize that they have developed a personalized complex that is considered a unique space that they now address as “Your Own Contemporary Boutique Hotel.”

Maison Dupuy Hotel Renovations

The Maison Dupuy is a classic French Quarter hotel, with a distinct mixture of history and luxury. Constructed in the early 1970’s to resemble an assembly of historic townhomes surrounding an expansive courtyard, the facility suffered from a poorly designed exterior skin, allowing moisture to enter the building and wreak havoc on the interiors. Holly & Smith Architects was tasked with a complete renovation/ restoration of the exterior, utilizing new, traditional materials including copper, slate, plaster and masonry in keeping with its historic context. The courtyard had seen better days and no longer functioned well for large events. H/S completely redesigned the courtyard to create an inviting and functional space that is now the setting for countless weddings and special events.

Tsunami Sushi Restaurant

Tsunami Restaurant is situated at the top of the Shaw Center in downtown Baton Rouge. World-class sushi, along with stunning views of the Mississippi River, makes the restaurant and rooftop deck a popular hot spot for locals and visitors alike. The tenant space was originally designed as support space for the Shaw Performing Arts Center, the new flagship gallery and performance space for Louisiana State University. The unique site with its natural vistas created this special design opportunity. The high-end interior finishes allow for a tranquil dining experience where the restaurant-goers and the sushi take prominence.

Kirin Sushi Restaurant

The client, owner, and operator of a successful sushi restaurant needed a new facility to accommodate an ever-increasing clientele. Having found success in the recently rejuvenated downtown Hammond, the owner purchased the nearest empty lot to this area. The design situates the building on the property line and continues the streetscape master plan implemented in other areas of downtown Hammond. Downstairs the building incorporates a lobby, bar, four hibachi tables with dining for thirty-six, a formal dining room, private Tanami rooms with shoji screening, kitchen, service, and restrooms. The center of the first floor is the heart of the building, a 40-foot long sushi bar, with room for twenty-one. Upstairs is found an energetic bar with backlit bar surfaces and shelving. A modern style extends from the interior furniture out to the two roof decks, where beneath a 19-foot overhang, is a perforated steel floor balcony with views of the passing trains and downtown Hammond.

Carter Plantation Clubhouse

The Carter Plantation golf course clubhouse is a 79,000 sq. ft. facility in Springfield, Louisiana. The clubhouse, also known as the “Pavilion,” is designed as two distinct areas separated by a 3700 sq. ft. breezeway porte-cochere. This open air space can be used for corporate and social functions of many kinds, from banquets and receptions to larger conferences and seminars. For smaller events, in addition to a traditional conference room, other areas of The Pavilion may be adapted to satisfy meeting or entertaining needs. The northern portion of the building on the breezeway’s right holds the administrative office, the banquet-style dining hall, and a full kitchen and bar. The entire area is surrounded by a 12′ deep veranda porch which provides casual seating and views onto the stunning golf course landscape. The southern portion of the building (to the left of the breezeway) houses the pro shop, locker rooms, maintenance facilities, and the cart barn.

The design of the Pavilion evokes a sense of southern hospitality ingrained in the area and tradition of the original Carter Plantation. This historical plantation dated to a Spanish land grant in 1804 and was at one time a working plantation of Cyprus, Pine, and Citrus.

Cambria Hotel Site Evaluations & Planning

H/S Architects works with Choice Hotels International to evaluate various sites across the country for potential development, adaptation, and application of the prototype design elements for their upscale brand, Cambria Hotels. H/S Architects has provided the initial site planning, building footprint, and guest room layouts for over 50 different sites across the US.