State and federal governments actively promote the preservation of historic buildings through various means, including the 20% Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. This program stands out as one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective community revitalization initiatives, encouraging private-sector rehabilitation of historic buildings and stimulating investment in local economies.

Many of our projects at MetroStudio have qualified for these incentives, and a selection of them are listed below. Please feel free to give us a call with any questions about commercial tax credits and other programs designed to support your historic restoration.


Preservation/Restoration Related Awards:

  • Louisiana Landmark Society Award: Hotel Saint Vincent
  • Louisiana Landmarks Society Award: Southern Rep Theater and Waldorf School
  • ACEC Award: The Joy Theater
  • ABC Excellence Award: Hotel Saint Vincent
  • DDD Award: The Joy Theater

NPS/SHPO Certified Restoration Projects and Landmarked Building Restorations:

Hotel Saint Vincent, New Orleans LA

  • 5 building adaptive reuse project
  • Full Campus Redevelopment
  • New Event Center Building

The California Building 1111 Tulane Ave., New Orleans LA

  • Adaptive reuse of exiting high rise building
  • 2 story penthouse addition
  • Mixed-use development including structured interior parking, retail, and 160 units (short-term and long term rental)

Southern Rep Theater and Waldorf School

  • 3 Building adaptive reuse development
  • Included new campus master plan
  • Performing arts center conversion of existing cathedral
  • New campus for the Waldorf School
  • New collocated office program supporting non-profits

The Joy Theater, New Orleans LA

  • Conversion of existing 1940’s era theater into multi-purpose, multi-media venue

The A+G Theater, Bay St. Louis MS

  • Conversion of existing 1940’s era theater into multi-purpose, multi-media venue
  • Project not executed.

The Queen and Crescent Hotel (Q & C), New Orleans LA

  • Redevelopment of 2 multi-story buildings (including one high rise)
  • New infrastructure, branding, F+B, interiors, lobbies, meeting rooms, etc.

1901 St. Charles (Formerly “OK Storage”) , New Orleans LA

  • 6 story masonry façade restoration and rebuild.
  • Project required specialty structural masonry restoration and reconstruction due to catastrophic façade failure.

Scottish Rite Temple, Milwaukee WI

  • 10 story addition to existing landmarked building
  • Adaptive reuse of existing original building
  • Project has received Landmark Commission approval
  • Project not executed

Lafitte Housing Redevelopment, New Orleans LA

  • Restoration, addition, and adaptive reuse for exiting historic public housing building
  • Project is approved and pending construction

JPNSI Housing Development, New Orleans LA

  • Restoration and redevelopment of existing building
  • Multi-family development

UNA/MAE Holdings 600-610 Bourbon, Tropical Isle, New Orleans LA

  • Multi-building restoration/redevelopment project

Galvez Street Warehouse, New Orleans LA

  • 455 Galvez Warehouse
  • Conversion to F+B and entertainment
  • Project not executed

Other Key Historic/Landmarked Restoration Projects:

The Spence School, New York, NY

  • Ken Gowland with PBDW Architects
  • Building additions, restoration, and subterranean gymnasium construction
  • Landmarked NY building

Scholastic Inc. , New York, NY

  • Ken Gowland with Gensler
  • Multistory landmark building addition in landmarked control district

New School University, New York, NY

  • Penthouse addition/conversion to landmarked building

Union Theological Seminary, Burke Library, New York, NY

  • Ken Gowland with PBDW
  • Historic Restoration for the landmarked Burke Library
  • Project included the addition of rare books/manuscript programs and laboratory

The McKim Library, Columbia University, New York, NY

  • Ken Gowland with PBDW Architects
  • Restoration/Renovation and programming for existing landmarked library