NEW ORLEANS, LA— The Downtown Development District of New Orleans (DDD) celebrates the newly completed EskewDumezRipple studio at 400 Lafayette Street as a model for what is possible when existing Downtown properties are repositioned to meet the expectations of modern tenants. Following a long-term lease negotiation facilitated by Corporate Realty, the renovation of this15,000 square-foot space provides a compelling blueprint for the reimagination of Downtown’s office supply.
EskewDumezRipple—an architecture and interior design firm founded in 1989—has maintained a deeply invested presence in Downtown New Orleans for more than 35 years, helping shape many of its most prominent cultural, civic, and mixed-use transformations: the South Market District with developer Domain Companies, 930 Poydras, The Shop at the CAC, the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, and broader riverfront redevelopment efforts. Its new studio at 400 Lafayette stands as the latest expression of that long-standing commitment.
EskewDumezRipple created a high-performance studio defined by abundant daylight, operable windows, advanced air quality systems, and a variety of work settings designed for hybrid collaboration that underscores a core truth: Downtown’s existing building stock can support a broad spectrum of world-class workplaces that align with 21st-century market demands.
“Renovations like EDR’s studio at 400 Lafayette prove that the future of Downtown’s office market lies in creative reinvestment,” said Seth Knudsen, President & CEO of the Downtown Development District. “EskewDumezRipple’s new studio is one of many examples that prove Downtown’s existing office supply can meet and exceed the needs of today’s workforce. By highlighting examples like this, we can inspire property owners, attract modern tenants, and demonstrate that Downtown is ready to support the next generation of business growth.”
400 Lafayette Street is a historic three-story structure that consists of three former warehouses seamlessly combined to create striking office and retail spaces as well as a modern lobby. The building features original details like exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows. The third floor is occupied by EskewDumezRipple. The second floor is ready for build-out for large tenants, and the first floor offers highly visible retail opportunities.
A Case Study in Modern Workplace Design
EskewDumezRipple approached its new studio the same way it approaches its client work: through a human-centered, evidence-based design process. Extensive staff surveying and workshops shaped the program, emphasizing daylight, acoustics, ergonomic workstations, flexible collaboration zones, and equitable layouts that eliminate hierarchy. The result is a space that supports connection, creativity, and well-being.
Key features include:
• Over 90 percent of workstations receive natural daylight, reducing strain and improving mood, supported by operable windows that bring in fresh air and views of the surrounding city.
• WELL-aligned design strategies, such as high-performance air filtration, low-VOC finishes, healthy material selection, and biophilic elements that connect occupants to nature.
• Central “Neutral Ground” gathering space, modeled after New Orleans’ iconic public medians, designed to host daily interactions, hybrid meetings, and firm-wide events.
• Comprehensive A/V suite enabling seamless hybrid collaboration with the firm’s Washington, DC and Salt Lake City studios.
• In-house fabrication and material reuse, including a custom screen wall built from reclaimed desks salvaged from the firm’s former Canal Street office.
• 57 percent reduction in energy use intensity and a 50 percent decrease in embodied carbon compared to a standard new build, reflecting the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse.
A Path Forward for Downtown’s Office Market
As the national office market continues to adjust to post-pandemic expectations, tenants increasingly prioritize features such as wellness-oriented amenities, flexible layouts, and rich urban environments. New Orleans is well-positioned to capture this demand: its existing Class-A buildings offer strong bones, walkable locations, and cultural proximity that new developments elsewhere simply can’t replicate. With thoughtful repositioning, these properties can attract companies seeking affordability, authenticity, and a forward-thinking environment far from the rising costs of coastal markets.
DDD’s Position: Celebrate What’s Working to Catalyze More
DDD is committed to elevating success stories like the 400 Lafayette renovation. By showcasing projects that prove what is achievable, DDD aims to shift market perception, encourage property owners to reinvest, and attract tenants who may not yet realize the quality of space available Downtown.
“Downtown New Orleans has the rare opportunity to turn its existing office buildings into a competitive advantage,” Knudsen added. “Projects like EskewDumezRipple’s studio demonstrate that we already have the bones for exceptional workplaces. Our role is to amplify these examples and support more reinvestment that strengthens the heart of the city.”
DDD continues to work with property owners, developers, design professionals, and economic development partners to highlight and advance adaptive reuse projects that bring new life to the urban core.
A full slate of high-resolution photos is available upon request.
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About the Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans
Created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1974 (LA Rev Stat § 33:2740.3) as the nation’s first assessment-based Business Improvement District, The Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans (DDD) provides enhanced economic development and public space services to Downtown New Orleans. It accomplishes its mission through initiatives assisting Downtown property and business owners, administering multiple grant programs, employing Public Safety Rangers, deploying Clean Team sanitation workers, and providing significant funding for outreach to the homeless, additional New Orleans Police Department patrols, and armed private security throughout its District. The DDD services the area bounded by Iberville Street, the Pontchartrain Expressway, Claiborne Avenue, and the Mississippi River. More information is available at www.downtownnola.com.
About EskewDumezRipple
EskewDumezRipple is a nationally honored architecture, interiors, and urban planning firm recognized for producing innovative projects grounded by a strong understanding of context, culture, and environment. With studios in New Orleans, Washington DC, and Salt Lake City, we build across the country and around the world, with the goal of integrating beauty and performance. From its inception, the firm is driven by four enduring core values: Design Excellence, Environmental Responsibility, Community Outreach, and Client Commitment. Every aspect of the practice has been structured to support these ideals. The resulting body of work—ranging from intimate interiors to large urban planning projects with numerous stakeholders— reflects an aspiration to build community, regardless of project scale, budget, scope or complexity. More information available at www.eskewdumezripple.com.
Media Contact:
Michael Mantese, Director of Marketing
mmantese@eskewdumezripple.com
504.561.8686
About Corporate Realty
Corporate Realty is a full-service commercial real estate agency based in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and LaPlace that serves the entire Gulf Region. The company has consistently been involved in the largest, most complex, and most demanding real estate transactions and management assignments in this region. Corporate Realty prides itself on having the most knowledgeable real estate professionals in the market. To find out more about the company and its services, visit corp-realty.com.
Listing for 400 Lafayette by:
Austin Lavin, CCIM
alavin@corp-realty.com
504-432-1232