Drivers zipping along the south I-10 service road in Metairie will soon have a new landmark to look up to: a three-story commercial building that is set to host the suburb’s first true third-story rooftop restaurant. The project promises indoor-outdoor dining with a clear view of the interstate, a large indoor dining room, several thousand square feet of outdoor seating, and a private elevator that whisks guests straight to the rooftop. Below the restaurant, the remaining floors are being marketed for retail, office, and medical tenants, with roughly 110 parking spaces planned on-site.
As reported by New Orleans CityBusiness, building owner and local developer Hiren Shah said, “We wanted to create something Metairie really doesn’t have: a true rooftop restaurant with indoor-outdoor space, visibility, and a modern feel.” According to the outlet, the third-floor restaurant is laid out for about 3,700 square feet of indoor space and roughly 2,500 square feet of outdoor seating, with portions of the rooftop designed for overhead canopies and enclosure features.
What the rooftop will offer
Commercial leasing information for 4648 S. I-10 Service Road West lists roughly 20,000 square feet across three floors, with the third-floor plate measuring about 6,448 square feet. The CommercialCafe listing notes that spaces will be delivered in white-box condition with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems already in place. The building is described as having dual-side elevator access and full ADA compliance for tenants, with ELIFIN Realty serving as the broker on the property.
What this means for Metairie's dining scene
Shah told New Orleans CityBusiness that he drew inspiration from watching younger diners flock to rooftop venues in downtown New Orleans and wants to see an upscale operator capitalize on the elevated indoor-outdoor layout. He also noted that the site is already drawing early interest, including medical and general office users for the upper floors and quick-service concepts eyeing the ground level.
Timeline and leasing
Offering materials and the broker’s property brochure indicate that pre-leasing is underway and that white-box delivery for tenants is targeted for the coming months. The property brochure on Buildout notes that tenant improvement allowances and final lease terms will be negotiated by use, and that an early-commit tenant could be allowed to start interior build-out before the exterior work wraps up.
Who to watch
ELIFIN Realty is listed as the leasing broker, with Noah Loveland named as the retail contact on the listing. Prospective operators are directed to reach out to the brokerage for details on available space and terms. If the project stays on track, Metairie could have its first bona fide rooftop dining option by the fall, giving parish diners a reason to stay closer to home instead of heading into downtown New Orleans for a skyline-side meal.
