Big Freedia's long-gestating plans for a permanent home on Decatur Street just cleared a major regulatory hurdle. The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission approved plans on September 2 to convert 2114 Decatur St. into Queen Diva, an elevated soul food restaurant and outdoor pool venue that the bounce music star has been developing for years in the Faubourg Marigny.
The approval, reported by NOLA.com, covers plans submitted by architect Daniel Winkert on behalf of owner Decatur Allstars LLC. City records show the commission signed off on a 2,200-square-foot two-story rear addition, a 700-square-foot one-story side addition, and a 325-square-foot rear accessory structure, allowing the historic commercial building to be converted into a mixed-use establishment, according to the City of New Orleans commission agenda. The 2114 Decatur St. property is designated as a Contributing structure within the Faubourg Marigny historic district.
From Hotel Freedia to Queen Diva
The project has changed shape considerably since it was first announced. The commission agenda identifies Decatur Allstars LLC as the property owner, while River Beats identifies Zach Kupperman as the property's owner and developer. Kupperman acquired the site in 2021 before partnering with Big Freedia, her manager Reid Martin, and other local investors to develop the venue concept, per Face2Face Africa. When Big Freedia unveiled the project in January 2023, it was branded as Hotel Freedia, a micro-boutique hotel envisioned with five guest rooms on an upper floor alongside a restaurant, a live music club and an outdoor pool, according to reporting from OffBeat Magazine. Reid Martin described the project primarily as a music venue and pool-party spot.
That hotel concept has since evolved into Queen Diva, which the newly approved plans describe as an elevated soul food restaurant that still includes an outdoor pool. The project has continued to evolve as Freedia balances music releases with the commercial real estate venture.
A Name Rooted in Bounce History
The Queen Diva name traces back to 1999, when Big Freedia adopted the moniker while releasing her debut solo bounce single, according to W Magazine. Freedia built a foundation in New Orleans's homegrown genre long before crossing over into the mainstream.
That crossover has since made her one of the city's most recognizable musical exports. Her connection to Beyoncé's Grammy-winning 2022 track Break My Soul is a reach that Sony Hall's venue materials cite as evidence of her role as an ambassador for New Orleans bounce music. Beyoncé had previously sampled Freedia's 2014 track Explode.
Freedia's career has extended beyond the Queen Diva project.
The Renderings and the Neighborhood
Daniel Winkert is identified as the applicant for the newly approved plans.
The site itself sits in a neighborhood already associated with live music. Located in the Faubourg Marigny, 2114 Decatur St. sits adjacent to the Frenchmen Street corridor, an area associated with live music, per River Beats. The building also sits within the Marigny's layered history.
With the Historic District Landmarks Commission's approval now in hand, the project has cleared a key regulatory milestone on its path from concept to construction. No opening timeline has been announced, and the pace of build-out for the approved additions remains to be seen as Queen Diva moves from renderings toward reality on Decatur Street.
