The historic Astor Crowne Plaza - New Orleans French Quarter, located at the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets, underwent a transformation following a $13-million renovation that is said to combine modern elegance with a touch of old New Orleans.
All of the hotel's 700 rooms underwent a complete facelift, with modernized interiors. Lighter tones and more effective use of natural light are among the improvements, while local accents such as carpeting designed with wrought iron shapes and framed vintage skeleton keys are nods to old New Orleans. There are also full-scale changes, such as new carpeting, furniture, lighting fixtures in guestrooms and hallways.
The hotel that dates back to 1852 also had its meeting spaces and hallways refinished with new carpeting, paint and wallpaper. The lobby has three dimensional maps of the City of New Orleans by artist Gregor Turk.
The Astor is comprised of two buildings, including the six-story Alexa Tower which still has exposed brick from the original construction 164 years ago. The remainder of the hotel occupies what once was the old Woolworth store and is also home to Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House Restaurant and Seafood Bar.
The hotel’s design consultant, blackdog studio, oversaw the renovations. The hotel remained open as the renovations were phased-in over a six-month period.