The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority has unveiled its plans for an ambitious development project: the construction of a new Omni hotel directly across from the convention center. This one-of-a-kind project, aimed to enhance the city’s tourism appeal, is set to feature 1,000 luxurious rooms and is scheduled to open its doors in 2029. This decision follows a series of discussions that began in 2018 when the authority authorized a substantial $557 million renovation of the convention center, underscoring a strong commitment to modernizing New Orleans’ infrastructure to meet contemporary demands.
What sets this project apart is not just the scale of the development but Omni Hotels’ commitment to meet the financial requirements. The authority revealed that Omni would cover all necessary private capital, ensuring the hotel’s completion while alleviating financial burdens on the local government. Such a guarantee highlights Omni’s dedication to creating a thriving business environment within the Warehouse District, a neighborhood known for its cultural richness but currently lacking upscale accommodations for convention-goers.
The proposed Omni hotel will offer a plethora of amenities, including an impressive 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, several dining options, a vibrant rooftop pool deck, and a state-of-the-art destination spa, all of which cater to the modern traveler’s needs. Additionally, to enrich the local community, there will be a parking garage and enhancements to the adjacent Mississippi River Heritage Park. The authority emphasized that each of these features will be meticulously designed to blend seamlessly into the character of the local area, reinforcing the hotel’s role as part of the neighborhood fabric rather than just a standalone structure.
The construction of this new hotel is a strategic move aimed at reclaiming New Orleans’ position as a top destination for conventions and large events. Currently, the city faces stiff competition from other urban centers that possess more modern and conveniently located accommodations. Governor Jeff Landry underscored this point, declaring the new hotel a “gamechanger” that would invigorate the local tourism sector, thereby potentially sparking economic growth throughout the region.
With the groundwork laid through the approval of a ground lease and development agreement, the next phase involves securing the necessary permits from city officials. The hotel design process is estimated to continue through 2025, with construction slated to commence in 2026. Meanwhile, the ongoing upgrades to the convention center, being executed in multiple phases, will also be wrapping up by 2029. As these developments unfold, the combination of a new upscale hotel and an enhanced convention center is poised to significantly uplift New Orleans’ appeal as a premier destination for business and leisure alike.
The Omni hotel project represents a vision for revitalization and progress—a concerted effort to bolster New Orleans’ standing in the global tourism arena while fostering community and cultural integration.