May & Ellis

NEW ORLEANS, LA

When Formwork Development needed a Design Assist contractor for the transformation of two historic French Quarter buildings, Wesley Palmisano’s team (RNGD) was the obvious choice for the project given their innovative approach and historical renovation experience. Formwork acquired the properties in 2014; the buildings had been vacant for a decade and were last used as the Hurwitz Mintz furniture store.

The renovation breathed new life into these elegant buildings to create 25 luxury apartments and 7,000 square feet of French Quarter retail space. Designed by Trapolin-Peer and completed in 2016, the renovation of this 40,000 SF space involved carving two new lightwells out of the building’s interior – creating dramatic courtyards – and the addition of two new penthouses. Building features include a rooftop deck and fitness studio, wide blank wood floors, restored historic windows and exposed masonry. Retail tenants include French Truck Coffee and Justine – a French brasserie. May & Ellis received AIA and historic preservation awards and recognition from ABC (the Association of Building Contractors).

This collaboration, backed by RNGD’s construction prowess and Formwork's development acumen, set the foundation for Emergent Properties, a fully integrated entity focused on innovative project delivery.