Zachary H. Kupperman

Founder & CEO
Kupperman Companies

Kupperman Companies is a real estate development and investment firm that designs, develops and acquires hotels, retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use projects across the Southeast. The company invests in award-winning historic redevelopments designed to preserve the architecture and culture of the surrounding community. Notable projects include: Hotel Saint Vincent (1507 Magazine St.); The Drifter Hotel (3522 Tulane Ave.); The Frenchmen Hotel (417 Frenchmen St.); The Rampart Hotel (300 S. Rampart St.); 31 West Congress Ave. (Savannah, Georgia); and 800 S. First St. (Austin, Texas).

What are you most excited for in the coming year? I’m excited about the future of New Orleans. Our city is moving in the right direction for the first time in a long time. I see amazing prospects for the growth of our economy, development of our community and preservation of our culture. I’m also excited about bringing fresh ideas and concepts to the city and the continued development and urbanization of Downtown New Orleans.

What would you say is the biggest challenge you’re seeing? The stock of larger, vacant historic structures that need renovating is dwindling, but I’m hopeful that our economy will grow fast enough to create the demand to justify the cost of more new construction. We are proud to play our small part in the revitalization and growth of New Orleans.