NEW ORLEANS — A nearly $40 million redevelopment has transformed the former Archdiocese of New Orleans building at 1000 Howard Ave. into VCAY New Orleans, a boutique hotel that opened in mid-August with 179 bedrooms arranged across 39 multi-bedroom suites.
Originally completed in 1962 as the First National Life Insurance Building, the 12-story property was designed by Mathes, Bergman & Associates and included a branch of the National Bank of Commerce. The building, known for its expansive glass façade and progressive midcentury design, later served as offices for the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being sold to developers in 2022.
The building was purchased for a reported $8.3 million, with approximately $22 million in renovations initially planned. The project faced financing difficulties and rising construction costs before work began in November 2024…