The valet garage tucked behind Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse in the French Quarter may soon be catering to suitcases instead of sedans. Developers want to turn the Iberville Street structure into a seven-floor boutique hotel with a penthouse event space and a rooftop pool, adding long-term lodging and party-ready amenities to a block better known for its bars and dining rooms. The City Planning Commission has signed off on a key step, but the project still needs a green light from the New Orleans City Council.
Planning commission moves project forward
On Feb. 24 the City Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use to permit a hotel at 716 Iberville Street, according to Louisiana Public Notice. The recommendation clears a major administrative hurdle but does not authorize construction. The proposal must still pass council review and a full permitting process. The filing for Zoning Docket 018/26 describes the site as bounded by Iberville, Bourbon and Royal streets.
What the plans call for
Developers are pitching a group-friendly concept that mixes multi-bedroom units with kitchens, a set of one-bedroom rooms and shared amenities tailored to travelers who want to spread out, according to NOLA.com. Early drawings show a 1,000-square-foot speakeasy, indoor golf simulators and a rooftop bar and pool tied into a penthouse event venue with 14-foot ceilings. Developers told NOLA.com they hope to break ground by mid-2026 and are aiming for a late-2027 opening.
Developers say the market shifted
Jim Huger, who has operated the garage since 1997, told NOLA.com that “people just stopped going to the garage, and business plummeted.” Parke McEnery, a partner in the purchase, said “our decision to invest in this project is with a long-term view,” according to the outlet. The property was purchased with partners in 2025 for roughly $4 million, according to the reporting.
The site and its layout
The garage sits directly behind Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse on Iberville between Bourbon and Royal, and the restaurant currently validates parking at the adjacent lot. The existing structure relies on a man-lift and has no public elevators or stairs, which developers say will require substantial internal reconstruction to satisfy hotel code. Turning ramps and car decks into livable floors will also mean accessibility upgrades and new vertical circulation systems.
Market context
The proposal lands as New Orleans hospitality operators continue to wrestle with uneven visitor patterns that cut into demand in parts of 2025. An end-of-year review by New Orleans CityBusiness described 2025 as a year of pivots for businesses still adapting to shifting travel behavior and staffing strains. Developers say a hotel focused on groups and events could deliver steadier revenue than the small valet garage has been able to generate.
What comes next
The commission’s recommendation sends the application to the City Council for consideration and into the next phase of permitting. The commission’s filing outlines the process for additional public comment and review, per Louisiana Public Notice. If the council signs off, developers expect a months-long retrofit before any rooms open, and neighbors along with preservation advocates are likely to keep an eye on design details to ensure the Quarter’s look and feel remain intact. A council hearing date and more detailed permit filings will be the next milestones to watch.
