The wrecking ball should be swinging soon at 919 Gravier St. as work starts on the $100M Aloft hotel/apartment combo in the Central Business District. The two-story building on Gravier Street will be replaced by an entrance ramp leading to the parking garage that's taking over the first ten floors of 225 Baronne St., City Biz reports. Aloft, a "style at a steal" Starwood property will be a 188-room boutique hotel and share the 31-story space with 192 apartments. HRI Properties will be running the show at the building, which has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina. The rentals will have "condo-level finishes," which is apparently code for hardwood floors, stone counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and washer/dryers in the units.
· Work starts on $100M Baronne project [City Biz]
· All 225 Baronne St. coverage [Curbed NOLA]
· 225 Baronne mixed-use development [HRI Properties]