‘The Odeon,’ tallest building in last 3 decades, to open in New Orleans

A 30-story apartment tower said to be the tallest building to be constructed in New Orleans in the last 30 years is opening its doors next month.

That’s according to The Domain Companies, developers of South Market, where ‘The Odeon’ has joined the downtown residential, retail and restaurant community.

According to the company’s October newsletter, the $106 million Odeon will open its doors to residents at the end of November and has started pre-leasing units.

The 414,000-square-foot apartment tower, located at the corner of Loyola Avenue and Girod Street, features 271 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom market-rate units, 200 parking spaces and 12,000 square feet of retail space. There are 30,000 square feet of amenities such as a pool deck and outdoor lounge with fenced dog run, furnished guest suites, a fitness center and an art collection.

Twenty-five of the structure’s floors are dedicated to residences, while the remaining four – including a double-height ground level – feature retailers and parking.

According to the website for the development, rent for a studio apartment starts at $1,335 a month. One-bedroom units range from $1,685 to $2,930, and two-bedroom living spaces range from $3,085 to $3,510 per month. There are also six penthouse units that range from $5,500 to $7,500.

“We’re proud to introduce a residential building of The Odeon’s caliber to Downtown,” Domain Companies co-CEO Matt Schwartz said in the newsletter. “The lifestyle, experience, and views that The Odeon will offer are unmatched, and the demand is there. It’s exciting to further expand the South Market community that Domain, our partners, and our residents have created, and to introduce a new level of product to New Orleans.”

The project is one of a few locally that has survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Christian Brierre of The Domain Companies said at an Industrial Development Board meeting in August that the viral outbreak had “little to no effect” on the work at the site. Crews implemented safety procedures, such as handwashing stations and social distancing measures, and provided PPE to workers, Brierre said.

The Odeon is the fifth phase of a $500 million investment in downtown New Orleans to provide a mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood combining luxury apartments with retail, restaurants and entertainment venues. South Market encompasses a five-block area across Loyola Avenue from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

Completed projects include The Standard, The Paramount, The Beacon and The Park. An upcoming sixth and final development is expected to be announced in late 2020.