French Doors Master Plan

Downtown Development District

Mural painted on wall of downtown building and on the street

Client: Downtown Development District New Orleans
Role: Public Realm Consulting, Site Assessment, Lighting Design, Planning
Scope: Survey of 100 blocks of New Orleans French Quarter to enhance the public realm and safety prior to Super Bowl LIX.
Status: Complete 2024
Size: 17.12 acres
Collaborators: Downtown Development District New Orleans, GNO Inc., Arts New Orleans, Synergy Consulting Engineers, Spackman Mossop Michaels

Place-making through the arts

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Studio West partnered with the Downtown Development District (DDD) and Greater New Orleans, Inc. to ready the city for incoming visitors through streetscape improvements. Studio West led a comprehensive assessment of the 100 blocks across Decatur, Chartres, Royal, Bourbon, and Dauphine Streets, focusing on opportunities to improve lighting, safety, and the overall sense of arrival to one of New Orleans’ most iconic neighborhoods.

Rendering sketch of the 100 block of Decatur showing proposed improvements

close up of a yellow patterned street mural

Initial phases of the work involved direct community outreach to over 40 property owners to identify and coordinate basic lighting repairs. From there, Studio West supported the DDD in planning across a variety of sites, including new lighting installations, façade restoration, and debris removal—small but meaningful improvements designed to uplift the visitor experience, while also leaving a lasting impact on the city.

Close up view of a street mural with a man riding his bike over it

In collaboration with Arts New Orleans, DDD facilitated the installation of two new murals and three street art pieces across multiple blocks, helping to reanimate cultural vibrancy of the Quarter. In parallel, GNO Inc. and the New Orleans Marriott unveiled “Harmonious Elements,” a monumental mural by renowned artist Shepard Fairey.
The project brought together a wide range of public and private partners—including The Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt Centric, P.M.G. LLC, the McEnery Company, Astor Crowne Plaza, Hustler Hollywood, Krystal, and the City of New Orleans.

Large boldly colored mural on the side of a downtown New Orleans building of a woman's face

Drone view of a long and low mural of arches and botanicals

While these enhancements were timed to welcome visitors for Super Bowl LIX, their impact extends far beyond. This project strengthened neighborhood infrastructure, enhanced safety and walkability for residents, and fostered renewed community pride.