Historic Commercial Renovation in New Orleans
Walk through New Orleans and you’ll notice something special about its commercial spaces. Some of the city’s most memorable restaurants, offices, and boutiques live inside buildings that were standing long before they ever served customers.
These buildings were homes once. Or corner properties. Or mixed-use spaces designed for a slower, different way of life. Today, they’re places of work, hospitality, and creativity — and they need renovation that respects where they came from.
At Franklin Design LLC, we specialize in historic commercial renovation in New Orleans, helping businesses adapt historic interiors without erasing the details that give them meaning.
Why Historic Spaces Matter in Commercial Design
In New Orleans, a commercial space isn’t just a location. It’s part of the brand.
Guests notice original trim. Clients feel the warmth of wood floors that have lasted generations. Customers remember the proportions, the light, the craftsmanship. These elements aren’t decoration — they’re part of why people choose your space over another.
Renovating a historic commercial interior means protecting that experience while making the building work for modern commercial use. That balance is where thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship matter most.
Commercial Renovating for Use, Not Just for Looks
Commercial spaces have demands that historic homes never did.
They need to handle traffic. They need to function efficiently. They need durability, storage, and layouts that support daily operations — all without overwhelming the original architecture.
Our approach to historic commercial renovation in New Orleans focuses on interior solutions that respect the building while supporting the business inside it. The goal is never to over-modernize or over-restore, but to make the space usable, cohesive, and lasting.
Custom Millwork For Historic Commercial Interiors
Woodwork defines historic interiors. Trim, cabinetry, built-ins, and architectural details shape how a space feels and how it functions.
Franklin Design specializes in custom millwork for historic commercial spaces, designing and fabricating pieces that feel original to the building — not added on later. Whether the project involves subtle restoration or new interior features, every detail is considered in relation to the existing structure.
Custom millwork allows commercial interiors to meet modern needs without losing their historic identity.
Restaurants, Offices, and Boutique Spaces
Many historic commercial renovation projects in New Orleans begin with a change in use. A former residence becomes a restaurant. A historic property becomes a professional office. A neighborhood building becomes a boutique or gallery.
Each of these spaces requires a careful interior renovation approach. Public-facing areas must feel welcoming and authentic. Workspaces must be efficient and durable. Storage, service areas, and built-ins must be integrated without disrupting the character of the building.
Our work supports commercial interiors that feel intentional, refined, and rooted in their original design.
Renovating Commercial Spaces Within Historic Architecture
Historic buildings come with constraints — and opportunities.
Walls aren’t always square. Materials behave differently. Original construction methods require understanding, patience, and adaptability. Renovating these spaces isn’t about forcing modern solutions into old structures, but about working with what already exists.
Experience with New Orleans architecture allows us to design interior solutions that respect scale, proportion, and material integrity. The result is a space that feels cohesive rather than compromised.
Experience Rooted in New Orleans
New Orleans is unlike any other city. Its architecture reflects layers of history, climate, culture, and craftsmanship that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Working here requires more than technical skill. It requires respect for tradition, understanding of local expectations, and an appreciation for how historic buildings live and age in this environment.
Our experience with historic interiors in New Orleans informs every decision we make — from materials and finishes to proportions and detailing.
Preservation-Focused Renovation
Historic commercial renovation doesn’t mean turning a building into a museum.
Businesses need spaces that evolve. Lighting changes. Layouts shift. Operations grow. The challenge is allowing that evolution without stripping the building of its soul.
Our philosophy is simple: preserve what matters most, improve what no longer serves the space, and design additions that feel natural rather than forced. This approach creates historic commercial interiors that honor history while remaining functional for years to come.
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