December 7, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
Celeste Landing Celebrates Successful Groundbreaking of Visionary Three-Story Historic Apartment Complex in Lower Garden District
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell's Office of Community Development and Housing Policy (OCD) Director Tyra Johnson Brown today joined Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) and its subsidiary, Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation (RNDC), in collaboration with Atrium Housing, to officially break ground on Celeste Landing, a three-story historic apartment complex in the heart of the Lower Garden District in New Orleans.
Celeste Landing, now firmly established at 1717 Religious St., stands as a testament to the commitment to preserving history. The groundbreaking ceremony, which was open to the public, featured key stakeholders, community leaders and local officials who shared a common vision for the future of New Orleans.
"Today is another monumental step in championing affordable housing for the City of New Orleans, which has remained a top priority for Mayor Cantrell's administration,” said Brown. “Through successful public-private partnerships, we have dedicated more than $54 million towards building affordable housing in New Orleans, creating over 2,500 units since 2018. This includes a $7.6 million investment to increase homeownership opportunities using Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds. Now, this project will bring an additional 46 new, affordable multifamily units to the Lower Garden District neighborhood. Thanks to VOASELA and RNDC for their relentless work that will greatly benefit our community. We will continue to facilitate the development and preservation of comfortable, sustainable living environments through strategic investments and partnerships with public, private, philanthropic, non-profit and resident stakeholders to ensure everyone has access to much-needed resources and an improved quality of life."
Other participants in the groundbreaking ceremony included VOASELA President/CEO and RNDC President Voris Vigee, VOASELA Executive Vice President for Housing and RNDC Executive Director Vanessa Levine, Sixth Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Torin Sanders, RNDC Board Chair Lenny Simmons, Councilmember Lesli Harris of District B, Louisiana Housing Corporation Chief of Multifamily Production Louis Russell, Capital One Manager of Community Finance James Chase II, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments Vice President of Acquisitions Reagan Maechling, Stonehenge Capital Associate Patrick West and Atrium Housing Board Member Anne Anderson.
“Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, and Atrium Housing partnered to ensure quality affordable housing is available to those in need,” said Vigee. “A partnership of this nature could not be possible without the collective work and support from Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Councilmember Lesli Harris and many other supporters who understand the significance of creating 46 affordable homes. We stand on the threshold of a new era in community development, and it is a cause for celebration. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the dawn of a project that will not only reshape our physical landscape but also enrich the lives of those who proudly call this place home.”
“We are proud to share that Celeste Landing will build on the strength of this historic neighborhood by not only enhancing the appearance of the block it sits on, but it will also provide an affordable, healthy and convenient place to call home for 46 households in New Orleans,” said Levine. “We not only invest and serve the community, but we are a part of the community and are breaking ground with the support of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Councilmember Lesli Harris and all our financial and development partners who helped bring this vision to life.”
Celeste Landing symbolizes a harmonious blend of history and modern living, setting a new standard for historic preservation and community development in New Orleans. The project reflects the dedication of OCD, VOASELA, RNDC and Atrium Housing to creating spaces that honor the past, while providing a foundation for a vibrant future.
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