NEW ORLEANS (March 29, 2018) – Rockbridge and HRI Properties, LLC proudly announce the opening of The Eliza Jane, a 196-room hotel perfectly poised at the center of downtown New Orleans in the historic Central Business District and centrally-located just two blocks from the French Quarter and near signature attractions such as The Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the award-winning National WWII Museum.
The Eliza Jane is a thoughtful blend of elegance, combined with just the right mix of fancy and funky. This one-of-a-kind boutique hotel is built within nine historic warehouses that stand distinct on the outside but have been united inside to create sizable guest accommodations in addition to a 2,000 square-foot open-air interior courtyard. Inspired by the buildings’ rich history, the hotel’s design team drew inspiration from many of the buildings’ original occupants: The Daily Picayune, the Gulf Baking Soda company, as well as the Peters Cartridge shop and Peychaud Bitters factory.
The hotel is named after Eliza Jane Nicholson, publisher of The Daily Picayune in the late 1800s and the first woman publisher of a major metropolitan newspaper in the United States. The hotel’s design creatively showcases this rich history, giving guests and locals alike a glimpse into centuries-old stories and a feel of old New Orleans charm.
“Our goal with The Eliza Jane was to embrace the history and location of these distinct buildings to create a special experience for our guests. The team worked hard to capture the classic culture of New Orleans and has no doubt succeeded,” said Jim Merkel, Rockbridge CEO. “We have really enjoyed our collaboration with HRI and Makeready to create a truly unique destination in New Orleans.”
The Eliza Jane joins The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, which launched in 2016 as a unique collection of new and existing luxury and upper-upscale properties offering unique stay experiences and story-worthy moments. HRI Hospitality, LLC oversees management and operations of property.
Designed by esteemed firm Stonehill Taylor, the hotel’s accommodations and amenities are comprised of 196 guestrooms with 50 suites, including 12 signature suites, a fitness center, garden courtyard and food and beverage offerings by Makeready, which includes the hotel’s lobby bar/lounge, The Press Room, which is now open, and a locally inspired restaurant, which will open late Summer 2018. The Eliza Jane will also feature more than 1,700 square feet of multi-purpose event space, suitable for hosting meetings and celebrations, as well as an alfresco patio adjacent to the restaurant.
“New Orleans is one of the most exciting places in the country, and we are thrilled to bring a fresh take on the city’s hospitality scene with the opening of The Eliza Jane,” said General Manager Travis Tague. “The property fully embraces our city’s spirit, and we look forward to complementing that by offering personalized and genuine New Orleans experiences to our guests.”
About The Eliza Jane spaces:
Design by Stonehill Taylor
The hotel’s interior, guestrooms and public spaces have been designed to create the perfect New Orleans getaway – a blend of old and new translated into design details that pay homage to the building’s past in a sophisticated, yet playful way.
Upon arrival, guests enter an intimate, yet extravagant lobby of evergreen paneled walls, accented by a vibrant, large format hex-tiled floor that immediately sets the tone. A fluted glass storefront partition separates a lounge seating area from the main public space, creating layers to the arrival experience within a 60-foot-high atrium space. An oversized skylight and lush greenery soften the original exposed brick and plaster walls, which, together with the foliage-entrenched canopy glass bar, create the sense of a greenhouse or conservatory. Antique Oriental rugs and an eclectic collection of decorative lamps with brass accents complete the space.
Guestrooms & Suites
Pairing local heritage with modern amenities, The Eliza Jane houses 196 modern, luxury rooms with 50 suites, including 12 spacious, signature suites which feature soaring ceilings, original floor-to-ceiling windows, and luxury appointed bathroom with walk in shower and tub combination. The guestroom design showcases hotel’s upscale residential vibe with two schemes featuring rich colors, channel-tufted, ink-colored leather headboards, eclectic accent furniture, floral patterns, and brass and walnut accents throughout. Many of the rooms feature the hotel’s original brick walls and ceiling beams – organically incorporated into the modern design of the rooms. The bathrooms are simple and elegant, with brass Kohler fixtures, dimensional white bevel subway tiles and either teal green vanities or wall-to-wall Carrera stone.
The hotel’s suites pay homage to the building’s histories and have been appointed names such as Editors Suite and Publisher’s Suite. The suites are available with a king bed or two queen beds, offering 400-525 square feet of space, with expansive views of either Magazine Street or the hotel’s garden courtyard. Although showcasing similar finishes to other rooms, suites have the unique addition of a full wet room with a freestanding tub.
Courtyard
Influenced by Spanish architecture found throughout New Orleans, the hotel’s interior garden courtyard is framed by original brick walls and lush, abundant foliage, creating a relaxing, destination space within the property. The courtyard connects the restaurant, meeting space and hotel via small, arched passageways. A focal point in the courtyard is a black-and-white tiled fountain with a neon “Bisous” sign and custom Venus-inspired sculpture by local artist, Brent Barnidge. The space will feature a variety of seating arrangements and antiques throughout, giving it an authentic atmosphere.
Food & Beverage Experiences
Embracing the rich culture of New Orleans, The Eliza Jane will introduce two compelling culinary and cocktail experiences with concepts thoughtfully curated and managed by Makeready, a company designed to create and operate hotel and restaurant brands with a focus on unique, localized projects. The hotel’s dining options will include Couvant, a locally-inspired signature French brasserie that will put a modern twist on classic French fare, as well as The Press Room, the social lobby bar serving up freshly baked pastries and locally roasted coffee to start in the morning and cocktails in the evening.
- Couvant – Opening late Summer 2018, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Couvant will serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner as well as late-night cocktails and wine. Concepted and managed by Dallas-based group, Makeready the restaurant will combine modern New Orleans style and French bistro fare. Upon entering, guests will be met with a charming black-and-white tiled floor in the front lounge with bar-style seating along historic windows looking out onto Magazine Street. The classic brasserie will unfold into a more modern space, with concrete flooring throughout the main dining area. A sweeping 300-square-foot bar made of oak and repurposed newel posts rounds the corner and will connect the two spaces. The restaurant will also feature an intimate private dining room as well as al fresco seating in the hotel’s garden courtyard.
The dining room will feature a combination of seating arrangements — from saddle brown leather channel-tufted banquettes to French-style bistro seating, with butcher block table tops peppered throughout. A table setting beneath an original stair will create an intimate moment in the open restaurant plan. A small, quartz topped oyster bar decorated in black-and-white tile will stand as another nod to the brasserie’s French inspiration. The historic bitters factory will reveal itself in exposed brick walls behind the bar and in the restaurant’s private areas, including a private dining room that opens to outdoor seating.
- The Press Room – Now open, the hotel’s intimate living room-inspired lounge features nods to the building’s ties to The Daily Picayune newspaper with sourced antiques and books, typewriters, and other accessories filling the numerous shelves and paneled walls within the space. Leather and multi-hued velvet seating are positioned around a marble fireplace, under a large custom brass light fixture, complemented by the deep cranberry color from the bar front.
Meeting & Events
The Eliza Jane features more than 1,700 square feet of multi-purpose event space. Located on the lobby level, this dynamic event space incorporates an operable partition to accommodate both large and intimate gatherings. Mosaic patterned carpet, inspired by the tiles in the hotel lobby, and exposed brick walls with decorative moldings contrast rugged with refine. Vintage doors on the farthest end of the room, lead out to an intimate patio which provides access to the hotel’s garden courtyard space. Catering menu and services to be provided by Couvant.
The Eliza Jane is located at 315 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130. For more information, please visit https://theelizajane.hyatt.com/ or call (504) 882-1234.
The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
