Wesley J. Palmisano | Urban Development
President and CEO, Palmisano Group
Wesley J. Palmisano is the president and CEO of Palmisano Group, a New Orleans Construction Firm. In 2013, Palmisano took over the family business, changing its focus from residential to commercial and civil construction. In just three short years, the company has added more than 75 employees while experiencing a 200 percent growth year over year.
Under Palmisano’s leadership, the company has quickly become New Orleans’ sought-after firm for the construction of downtown hotels, multi-use developments, retail spaces, restaurants and healthcare facilities. This year alone, he was named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 in the Industrial Services and Construction category for the Gulf Coast, was named to the NOLA 100 list of the city’s leading entrepreneurs and was one of six entrepreneurs recognized as a Rising Star by Junior Achievement.
How would you describe the status of urban development in New Orleans?
Urban development has prospered in New Orleans over the past three years and is still going strong. The trend towards downtown living and the booming tourism market have created demand for development and construction of apartments, retail, hotels, restaurants and condominiums. It is exciting to see many of the vacant historic buildings being revitalized and placed back into service. In addition to building renovations on every corner downtown, there are also a few new high-rise buildings currently under construction. This is significant because we have not seen this type of new construction in the past 10 years. New Orleans is an exciting place to work right now.
How are the developments your company is doing impacting the urban marketplace?
Palmisano is extremely proud to play a role in the revitalization of New Orleans’ downtown core. Our projects have placed numerous historic buildings back into service, improved vacant blocks with new construction and provided entertainment opportunities for the growing population. The firm’s portfolio includes several hundred million in high profile projects, such as the new Moxy Hotel in the CBD, May & Ellis apartments in the French Quarter, Ace Hotel and Seaworthy Restaurant, new construction at the Rampart Homewood Suites and the Julian Apartments on Magazine. We also focus on giving back to the community through the Palmisano Foundation, which was created to focus on educational and children’s causes including PlayBuild NOLA, Growing Local Nola and New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter.
What do you project for the future? Six to 12 months down the road? Is this a new peak or baseline?
I have run across two different theories regarding this urban revitalization. Some people feel that it would be difficult for the current level of activity to continue, but there are also many others that argue this is just the beginning. One interesting trend to note is that we see projects moving outside of the downtown core into areas such as the Bywater and Lower Garden District. Our opinion is that development and construction will continue its momentum for at least the next few years.