International House Hotel

International House is a boutique hotel in New Orleans’ central business district,[1] located two blocks from the French Quarter, at 221 Camp Street. Described by Frommers as “a modern space that still pays tribute to its locale,” its design mixes contemporary and traditional elements [2] reflective of New Orleans’ unusual culture. It is known for historic Beaux-Arts architecture and its Loa Bar, which serves signature cocktails prepared by bartender Alan Walter. International House has been called New Orleans’ first boutique hotel.[3]

History / Architecture

The International House property is an expression of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture, built in 1906 for the Canal Louisiana Bank & Trust Co.[4] It was designed by Architect and Brigadier General Allison Owen. In 1943, businessman Archie Jewell renovated it to become “The International House,” the world’s first World Trade Center. Emphasizing “peace through trade”, International House operated from this location for more than 50 years.[5] President Eisenhower and many other dignitaries visited the International House and the multiple Consuls General who officed there.

Hotel or Modern era

In 1998, entrepreneur Sean Cummings purchased the building and converted it to a boutique hotel, inspired by similar hotels in London, New York and San Francisco.[6] The hotel was designed by New Orleans-based architect James Brooks Graham. It contains a lobby with 23’ ceilings and ornate pilasters and is topped by several penthouses.[7]

From October 2005 to December 2007 and to repair damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina, Cummings collaborated with interior designer LM Pagano to update the hotel.

Art / Décor

Interior designer L.M. Pagano created the look and feel for the hotel,[8] which has been described by a writer for House & Garden as showing “a commitment to taking local traditions into the twenty-first century.”[9] Cummings commissioned Baton Rouge artist Martin Guy to create chandeliers for the lobby resembling stylized pepper bunches.[10]

The hotel’s mantra is “Here’s to the Creative Ones,” and its lobby includes mixed media paintings of Audrey Hepburn, Nelson Mandela, John Kennedy, and Steve Jobs, created by artist Byron Buchanan.[11] The hotel hosts a tribute series titled “Here’s to the Creative Ones,” honoring talented people. Past events have included a book signing event created for Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s book, Yes, Chef.[12] The hotel also hosts annual seasonal "Rituals" to commemorate St. Joseph's Day, summer advent, St. John's Eve, 9/11, All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.[13]

Loa Bar

Loa offers limited production wines, beers and spirits, as well as cocktails prepared by bartender and mixologist Alan Walter.[14] His signature drinks have been noted for containing unusual spirits, homemade syrups, local ingredients, and fresh-squeezed juices from up to 12 fruits and vegetables that are juiced daily.[15] Walter also serves up “cocktail experiences,” like the Ne’erdowell, a group drink featuring half a bottle of Bulleit Rye, several juices and mixers, dice and playing cards; and Ten Years in a Day, a single glass of Cabernet which arrives on a gilt tray with a hand mirror and a small etched-glass box of Walter’s homemade smelling salts.[16]

The name “Loa” describes benevolent deities or divine spirits in the Voodoo faith tradition.[17]

The bar is lit by candlelight, as well as a hand-blown light sculpture by Armenian artist Peter Manukyan. All seating was designed by Pagano and fabricated by local furniture maker Shane Porter.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "[Ellin, Abby. “Entrepreneurs Leverage New Orleans’s Charm to Lure Small Businesses.” NYTimes.com. The New York Times. July 30, 2009. Web. 30 November, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/business/smallbusiness/30sbiz.html?pagewanted=print]."
  2. ↑ “International House. Frommers.com. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2000-2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/neworleans/H33420.html
  3. ↑ Alpert, Henry. “Reinventing the Crescent City: Sean Cummings brings his modern vision back home.” New Orleans Living. 18. December 2011.
  4. ↑ “International House Hotel.” Emporis. EMPORIS GMBH, 2000–2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.emporis.com/building/internationalhousehotel-neworleans-la-usa
  5. ↑ Bogart, Jon. “International House: New Orleans’ Extraordinary Boutique Hotel.” Traveleatplay.com. May 2012
  6. ↑ Rucker, Phil. “Swank and the City: Unconventional, ambitious Sean Cummings is in the hot seat after being plucked by Nagin as the go-to guy for the city’s real estate.” The Times-Picayune. October 10, 2004. F-1-F-2
  7. ↑ Bogart, Jon. “International House: New Orleans’ Extraordinary Boutique Hotel.” Traveleatplay.com. May 2012
  8. ↑ LeBlanc-Berry, Lisa. “Of Elegance Decadence and Music: A New Orleans Journey.” LA Homes and Gardens. June 2009. 50-59.
  9. ↑ Pochoda, Elizabeth. “New Orleans Believer: Sean Cummings Envisions a Sleekly Revamped Waterfront that will make the Crescent City a Design Beacon and a Global Destination.” House and Garden. 44-x. August 2007.
  10. ↑ Rucker, Phil. “Swank and the City: Unconventional, ambitious Sean Cummings is in the hot seat after being plucked by Nagin as the go-to guy for the city’s real estate.” The Times-Picayune. October 10, 2004. F-1-F-2
  11. ↑ Branson, Cassandra. “Chasing Flavors with Marcus Samuelsson…in the City that Invented the Cocktail.” CraveLocal.com. Crave Local. 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.cravelocal.com/national/new-orleans/chasing-flavors-with-marcus-samuelsson-in-the-city-that-invented-the-cocktail/
  12. ↑ Sheri. ““YES, CHEF’…but…Civilization begins with Distillation.” Neworleanslocal.com. n.p. 29 July 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://neworleanslocal.com/yes-chefbut-civilization-begins-with-distillation/
  13. ↑ "Rituals & Events". International House Hotel. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  14. ↑ Price, Todd. “Bartender Alan Walter moves to LOA.” Nola.com. The Times-Picayune Greater New Orleans. 4 March 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.nola.com/drink/index.ssf/2011/03/bartender_alan_walter_moves_to.html
  15. ↑ Disbrowe, Paula. “Perfecting the Art of the Cocktail.” Southern Living. Time Inc. Lifestyle Group. April 2012. Print. http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/loa-new-orleans-cocktails-00417000078050/
  16. ↑ Bell, Emily. “The Weekly Mix: Chocolate Voodoo at New Orleans.” StarChefs.com. StarChefs. March 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://www.starchefs.com/cook/mixology/weekly-mix/chocolate-louisiane-cocktail-loa-new-orleans
  17. ↑ MacCash, Doug. “New Orleans bartender Alan Walter conjures up a summer spirit.” Nola.com. The Times-Picayune Greater New Orleans. July 22, 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. http://blog.nola.com/bar-guide/print.html?entry=/2011/07/new_orleans_bartender_alan_wal.html
  18. ↑ “Loa Bar.” Iheartnola.com. n.p. nd. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.

Coordinates: 29°57′04″N 90°04′08″W / 29.9512°N 90.0689°W / 29.9512; -90.0689

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