New Orleans developer ranks in national excellence award

In February, the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence selection committee announced that New Orleans-based developer Redmellon Restoration & Development placed as a finalist in its 30th annual design competition. Today, Redmellon placed as one of four silver medalists, receiving $10,000 to enhance its design-winning project.

Redmellon submitted its Iberville Off-site Homes, which is a project to rehabilitate 26 historic homes into 46 homes for low-income families in the Iberville neighborhood.

“There are several 50-unit buildings that reserve eight or so affordable units being built all the time,” said Neal Morris, the principal at Redmellon Restoration & Development. “We wanted to do something different. We said let’s find 50 historic, blighted houses in areas that are starting to gentrify.”

“These are all preserved homes that are long-term low income properties,” he added.

The Iberville homes are being built in three phases. The Rudy Bruner Award committee judged the developer on the two phases that were complete during the time of the competition. Morris said that once the third phase of construction is complete, former Iberville residents will have priority-access to properties before they hit the market.

The Iberville neighborhood is bounded by North Claiborne Avenue, and Iberville, St Louis, and Crozat streets.

Redmellon will donate the $10,000 prize money to the New Orleans Women’s and Children’s Shelter, one of Redmellon’s partners for the low-income development.

The developer has restored several other historic sites, including the Gators Market, which now stands as the People’s Health New Orleans Jazz Market.

The Ruby Bruner Award for Urban Excellence celebrates “transformative places distinguished by physical design and contributions to the economic, environmental and social vitality of America’s cities,” according to the selection committee.

To see there other finalist, check out the official Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Design’s website.

• Rudy Bruner Award [Official Site]
• A NOLA developer is finalist in prestigious design award [Curbed NOLA]