Carlson Hotels acquired seven historic brick and heavy timber buildings with the goal of creating a new midscale hotel in the heart of New Orleans. To bring a sense of order to this conglomeration of structures dating back to the 1850’s, the design team clustered the new guest rooms around a central atrium which was carved from the existing structure, with the large wooden joists preserved. The atrium opens to an adjacent intimate courtyard. Together, these elements allow natural light deep into interior of the block and serve to organize the complex into a single, smooth-functioning hotel. In order to take advantage of tax credits, the architects worked closely with officials from the National Park Service and the State and City historic preservation agencies. Historic equipment from the existing buildings was also salvaged as part of the renovation and is displayed in the atrium. The restoration won a state historical preservation award and has revitalized the surrounding neighborhood.