NEW ORLEANS – Vacant for nearly 14 years, the former McDonogh 31 School in Mid-City was recently transformed into a luxury apartment complex comprised of 26 units, ranging from 600 to 1,400 square-feet each. Amenities include a pool, gated parking, and secure access into the building.
Built in 1906, the historic, 32,822 square foot building boasts wood floors, high ceilings and oversized windows, along with exposed beams and brick walls. Those original architectural elements were carefully preserved throughout the renovation process, which was run by Ryan Gootee General Contractors, LLC and historic preservation architects Trapolin-Peer. The construction, from start to finish, lasted for about a year.
“With or without the tax credits, our original intent was to preserve as much of the historic fabric of the building that we possibly could,” said Ryan Gootee, the president and CEO of Ryan Gootee General Contractors, and a partner in Rendon Partners, LLC . “I believe the end result speaks to the success of that intent. Bringing the skeletal remains of an early 1900’s building back to life, after sitting dormant for 14 years, is a win-win for the neighborhood and project team.”
The Rendon Apartments, located on 800 N. Rendon Street, are owned by Rendon Partners, LLC. Local entrepreneurs Jason Hemel and Richard Roth are also owners and partners in the development. The Roth Law Firm provided Tax Credit Equity financing.
The Rendon Apartments are move-in ready and feature landscaped grounds, steps away from Orleans Avenue and Bayou St. John. Leases start at $1175. www.therendonapartments.com.
Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur is the associate news editor of BizNewOrleans.com. Follow her on Twitter @SuzPfefferle.