Overview

A new jewel on an iconic avenue.

St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans’ grand thoroughfare, has always been synonymous with grace, charm, and history. Naturally, it’s the ideal setting for a new luxury hotel, and that’s precisely what partners Formwork Development and Sandstone Development wanted to craft. This new hotel with extended stay options is the first project of its kind to be built on the avenue, from the ground up, in 27 years. Positioned sidewalk-side of the Uptown Carnival parade route, this five-story, 40-room masterpiece spanning 34,000 square feet is set to become an extension of the beloved and rejuvenated hotel Columns. While the Columns exudes historic hospitality, its contemporary sibling boasts sleek white lines and forward-facing balconies that effortlessly blend into the avenue’s classic charm. After completing both a construction and infrastructure scope for the Hotel Saint Vincent, Sandstone engaged RNGD once again as the Lead Contractor with additional MEP Design-Build duties, entrusting our dynamic project management skills to bring this new gem to life on the avenue.

Elevation through pre-positioning.

Value engineering — where the client’s vision is leveraged with element, function, and cost — is about driving project success before it starts. For RNGD, it’s naturally a core specialty. At the outset of the preconstruction phase, the budget appeared daunting with a $1.5+ million overshoot. The mission was clear: maintain the project’s high-end scope, but bring the cost under control. Our preconstruction team got to work, proposing a range of value engineering solutions, from eliminating non-essential elements to refining finish selections. Ultimately, our team reduced the overhead by half, skillfully striking the perfect balance between vision and economics. As construction began, sequence positioning through early procurement and carefully planned delivery and load-in times was critical. With minimal onsite storage space, deliveries also had to coincide with installation. Using streamlined contracts and our essential partner mentality, the team ensured timely delivery of vital materials and components such as generators and water heaters. Working with our trade partners, we orchestrated a seamless flow of supplies and materials, with installations occurring within 48 hours of delivery.

Innovation through self-performance.

As a True Builder, RNGD actively seeks opportunities that harness the full range of our Renegade teams’ capabilities. For the Hotel Henrietta, our talented self perform team played a pivotal role in spearheading Design-Assist prefabrication and installation of structural steel and custom millwork components. The structural steel scope included the construction, assembly, and installation of the building’s skeletal system, utilizing 100 tons of steel. The team fabricated and erected the second-floor steel podium. They also built and installed the exterior balconies using ground-to-roof structural steel framing, and supplied and fitted critical elevator steel components, interior stairs, and railings. Beyond structural work, RNGD’s architectural fabrication team designed, crafted, and installed custom millwork and decorative metalwork elements throughout the hotel’s guest rooms and lobby spaces. This scope encompassed custom kitchenettes clad in Walnut, curved wall features with high-gloss lacquer finishes, and ceilings adorned with wood chevron patterns.

An atmosphere of excellence.

Completed ahead of schedule in April 2024, the Hotel Henrietta epitomizes RNGD’s remarkable self-perform capabilities and collaborative philosophy. Every project phase is the culmination of harmonious components, orchestrated meticulously by our project managers, executed with precision by superintendents, and brought to life by our dedicated trade partners. Our team thrives on input and perspective from all corners, aligning strategies that turn partners into passionate stakeholders. This boutique luxury hotel is not just a new elegant gem on New Orleans’ iconic avenue. It represents RNGD’s dedication, unwavering spirit, and our team of Renegades, who create an atmosphere of excellence on every project.