At 1824 Felicity Street, in the heart of New Orleans, lies a hidden gem—The Bank Architectural Antiques. This 45,000-square-foot warehouse is a time capsule, filled with salvaged pieces from the city’s iconic architecture.
It’s part museum, part salvage yard, and a haven for anyone interested in the city’s rich architectural history. Here, cypress doors, marble mantels, cast-iron fences, and more are preserved, salvaged from buildings that have been torn down or renovated.
The Birth of The Bank
Founded in 1998 by Paul Maassen, The Bank began as a way to preserve the architectural elements of New Orleans that were at risk of being destroyed. Maassen started by salvaging materials from condemned buildings before demolition crews could tear them down.
The collection grew over time as contractors, demolition companies, and homeowners contributed to the warehouse, turning it into an extensive collection of pieces from the 1830s to the 1950s.
A Walk Through History
Walking through The Bank means navigating narrow aisles filled with doors, shutters, columns, brackets, mantels, gates, and hardware stacked from floor to ceiling. The warehouse is not meticulously organized, but that adds to its charm…