Every historic structure tells a story, one worth protecting. Restoring or repurposing these treasured buildings requires not only craftsmanship but a steady hand that understands the technical and regulatory challenges unique to preservation.
At The McDonnel Group, we help owners, developers, and preservation advocates breathe new life into historic properties without sacrificing their character. With decades of experience in local restoration and renovation work, our team brings the clarity, patience, and precision required to preserve the heritage that defines our communities.
Preservation projects often demand more coordination, more paperwork, and more care than conventional construction. McDonnel’s team seamlessly navigates the build process, from initial evaluation to final certification, helping clients maintain compliance while honoring architectural integrity.
Our deep familiarity with preservation codes, tax credit requirements, and regulatory agencies keeps projects on track and approvals moving forward.
Guidance through historic tax credit programs and documentation
Collaboration with preservation agencies and local commissions
Experienced management of zoning, code, and permit complexities
Respectful restoration techniques that protect original materials and craftsmanship
McDonnel Group has worked hand-in-hand with local and national preservation organizations to ensure that each project both safeguards and revitalizes its surroundings.
Agencies & Partnerships:
This school construction project is the Warren Easton Charter High School 9th grade expansion. The project is a historical renovation of a five-story building that increased one local high school’s much needed reach and capacity to serve the local community and students in New Orleans, LA. This new educational building, totaling over 22,500+ SF, is the first stand-alone ninth grade academy in New Orleans. This separate space
Short term apartment construction project 222 Loyola Redevelopment is a hospitality / residential restoration and re-use build-out within an existing designated historic eight-story building in downtown New Orleans. The building was operating at the start of the project as a vehicular parking garage with three vacated floors above it. The owners wished to create luxury short-term apartment/hotel units on the top floors and add on a new Penthouse level with a
The 710 Baronne Redevelopment is a historical restoration of a two-story Renaissance revival building, enhanced by juxtaposing an entirely new structure supporting a new six-story addition. This addition is partially constructed within the existing historic skin, allowing the historic elements of the existing property to be incorporated into the new building. This mixed-use development includes commercial space, apartment units, and common areas. 710 Baronne is designed
A complete historic restoration has preserved this over 100-year-old downtown New Orleans landmark building. The 550,000 SF 17-story building located on the iconic Canal Street has been rehabilitated and repurposed to include multi-family apartments, hotel rooms, retail, and commercial spaces. In addition, space was constructed to house restaurants, meeting space, rooftop experiences, a fitness center, and a spa. A new 7-story parking garage was constructed,
The 5-story historic French Quarter building is being transformed into 87 market rate residential units. The new apartment complex will consist of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units ranging from 700 SF to 1,300 SF. The ground floor level will house Leasing Offices, a Gallery, and parking. A new floor was added between the existing 1st and 2nd floors to create an additional level of parking
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) transformed an historic warehouse building into the NOCCA Forum. The renovated structure house new classrooms, labs, Culinary Arts kitchens, a public cafe, and art gallery. NOCCA, with students from multiple parishes throughout Louisiana, offers programs focused on the culinary arts, dance, media arts, filmmaking, audio production, music, drama, visual arts, and creative writing.
