Two landmarks of New Orleans’ "back of town" jazz corridor have been sold to a New Orleans developer.
The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation sold the former Iroquois Theatre and Karnofsky Tailor Shop in the 400 block of South Rampart Street to developer Joseph Georgusis—whose company River Park One is involved in the Metairie Trader Joe’s—in exchange for property in St. Bernard Parish.
The foundation also recently sold another neglected jazz landmark, the Eagle Saloon, to the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame. The Meraux Foundation's Floyd and Rita Gue used to serve on the board of the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame, but recently stepped down.
There’s no word yet on what the developer plans to do with the properties, but the developer said his company plans to place "these buildings back into commerce in a way that pays tribute to their rich history and importance to our community and country." The Meraux Foundation said it spent $1.5 million to stabilize the Iroquois and Karnofsky buildings in preparation for future development.
• Historic jazz buildings on South Rampart sold to local developer [NOLA.com]
• Jazz Landmark Eagle Saloon Slated For Revival [Curbed NOLA]