Historic Scottish Rite Temple in New Orleans Lafayette Historic District to be Revitalized as Nolaluna
New, world-class entertainment venue will feature nightly shows alongside fine dining and curated cocktails
New, world-class entertainment venue will feature nightly shows alongside fine dining and curated cocktails
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting in 2016, the historic Scottish Rite Temple building at 619 Carondelet Street in downtown New Orleans will be the home of the most exciting entertainment and dining development in New Orleans—Nolaluna. Featuring a renowned international ensemble of circus artists, singers, musicians, variety acts and comedians, Nolaluna is a captivating three-hour extravaganza of live music, comedy and spectacle complimented by a fine four-course dinner woven into the evening's presentation. Nolaluna will open in November 2016, following an $8 million renovation of the historic Scottish Rite Temple on Carondelet Street in the Lafayette Historic District of downtown New Orleans, adjacent to the booming South Market District.
"New Orleans' history and cultural riches, along with its residents and visitors' passion for entertainment and fine dining, make Nolaluna a natural addition to the city's scintillating nightlife scene," said Stanley Morris, Managing Partner of Nolaluna. "With the Scottish Rite Temple's rich 160 year history as a place of worship followed by its use as a magical entertainment and dining venue for the Freemasons, the building, setting and location make it an excellent choice as home for Nolaluna."
Key components of Nolaluna include:
Featuring a renowned international ensemble of circus artists, singers, musicians, variety acts and comedians, Nolaluna is a captivating three-hour extravaganza of live music, comedy and spectacle complimented by a fine four-course dinner woven into the evening's presentation. Nolaluna will operate nightly and present three original, new shows annually. The setting at Nolaluna is intimate and provides a sensational atmosphere for showcasing the increasingly rare arts of cirque, cabaret and vaudeville.
The Scottish Rite Temple, built in 1853 as The First Methodist Church, is one of New Orleans' most important Early Greek Revival buildings. In 1905, the building was purchased by the Grand Consistory of Louisiana and became home to the Freemasons of New Orleans. In 1910, the building was renovated with a design and plan by highly regarded local architect, Sam Stone.
In 2016 the building's upper floor main theatre will be transformed into Nolaluna, offering seating for 300 at tables arranged where guests will have an immersive entertainment experience while enjoying a fine four-course dinner and drinks. In addition to Nolaluna, the venue includes the lively Temple Bar on the ground floor where bartenders offer up expertly mixed cocktails while the house trio swings from the corner stage. A destination unto itself, The Temple Bar operates nightly from 5 PM to midnight serving entertainment, drinks and Italian-inspired cuisine.
"This is the type of historical renovation and investment that this portion of the Downtown New Orleans truly needs, and I am happy to have been involved with it and will continue to lend my support," said New Orleans District B Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell. "The building is an architectural gem from the Early Greek Revival period and it's being lovingly restored with the full support of the surrounding community and Lafayette Square neighborhood. Nolaluna has assembled a great development team with a unique artistic vision and a star studded roster of performers. Once the renovation of the supper theater is finished, Nolaluna will become a destination venue for locals and tourists."
Nolaluna's commitment to excellence is evidenced by the established creative team leading its development. Co-Producers restaurateur, hotelier and entertainment impresario Stanley Morris and artist, Art Director and sixth generation New Orleanian Charles Trapolin have assembled a team of creative and hospitality experts to bring the Nolaluna experience to life. Director Gypsy Snider, who is co-founder and co-artistic director of the Montreal circus collective, Les 7 doigts de la main, brings 20 years of international and Broadway experience to create three original shows each year for Nolaluna. Musical Director Charlie Dennard combines his talent as both a New Orleans jazz musician and touring Musical Director for Cirque du Soleil to lead the venue's 10-piece band as well as create original music for each production. Renowned Costume Designer, Debra "Beaver" Bauer, whose stunning creations have graced stages across the globe, will create all costumes for Nolaluna's diverse cast of international entertainers.
The award-winning New Orleans architecture firm of Trapolin-Peer Architects, who specializes in the areas of preservation, historical restoration, hospitality and restaurants, has been retained as the project architect. Technical design and integration will be provided by The Solomon Group, the New Orleans company responsible for projects like the lighting of the Mercedes Benz Superdome, restoration of The Civic Theatre, event production for the annual Essence Festival and the design, fabrication and installation of the moving new exhibit "Road to Berlin" at the National World War II Museum.
Nolaluna will be centrally located in Downtown New Orleans, directly adjacent to the new Ace Hotel and two blocks from the bustling South Market District, both developments from The Domain Companies. The site is within easy walking distance of the French Quarter, major Downtown hotels, the Superdome, Harrah's Casino, the Warehouse District and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. South Market, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development, is already home to new Downtown residents and businesses, and some of the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment in the city. Once complete in 2017, the District will include over 700 new luxury apartments and condominiums, 200,000 square feet of retail space, and 1,300 new garage parking spaces. Across from Nolaluna is the upcoming Ace Hotel, a historic renovation of the Barnett's Furniture Building currently under construction.
"Nolaluna is a natural fit for this area of Downtown as more residents and visitors flock to the neighborhood. An extraordinary entertainment and dining venue like Nolaluna offers a unique nightlife experience that isn't available anywhere else in the city," said Matt Schwartz, Principal at The Domain Companies, developers of the adjacent Ace Hotel and nearby South Market District. "We're excited to help bring Nolaluna to New Orleans, and look forward to seeing a historic building come alive with new art and energy."
After a lengthy renovation, Nolaluna will open to the public with its first original show in November of 2016. More information about Nolaluna is available at www.nolaluna.com.
About Nolaluna: Nolaluna is a world-class entertainment and dining venue featuring a renowned international ensemble of circus artists, singers, musicians, variety acts and comedians. The evening's three-hour extravaganza is complimented by a fine four-course dinner. Nolaluna is located in the heart of the downtown New Orleans Lafayette Historic District in the historic Scottish Rite Temple at 619 Carondelet Street. It will open to the public in November 2016. More information is available at www.nolaluna.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151218/297380LOGO
SOURCE Nolaluna
Share this article