Brews & Beams [see the SlideDeck] Grab a beer on Thursday and witness a historic property return to commerce in New Orleans. The Preservation Resource Center’s Beams & Brews series continues Thursday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. with a tour of 1212 Magazine St., an 1860’s Greek Revival building in the Lower Garden District that has been restored, renovated, and transformed into the Heirloom Bed & Breakfast. The boutique hotel, formerly the Green House Inn, is scheduled to open in October. Beams & Brews, originally known as Renovator’s Happy Hour, started in the early 2000’s as a fun event that happens about six to eight times a year, and offers attendees an opportunity to view more than 50-year-old, historic renovation residential and commercial projects at various stages of construction, hear from the project’s managers, and enjoy drinks. “The PRC has been proud to produce this event for more than 20 years to show how restoration and adaptive reuse projects can be possible and be beneficial to our city and communities. These properties are being saved, restored, and put back into commerce, and those are achievements to celebrate,” said Michelle Shoriak, PRC Director of Conservation and Education. Tickets are $10 for non-PRC members; admission is free for PRC members. Tickets can be purchased online at the PRC Beams & Brews website. The 2024 “Beams & Brews” series presenting sponsor is JLV Construction, along with additional contributions by True Title, and Urban South Brewery. JLV Construction is also the lead general contractor on 1212 Magazine St., the subject of Thursday’s Beams & Brews. The local custom residential and commercial builder joined forces with Stay Heirloom, CICADA, Fricker Historic Preservation Services, and Webre Consulting, to tag team the renovations of the property. The 10,000-square-foot building, on 19,000 square feet of land with a backyard pool and hot tub, was purchased in late 2022 by Top of Form Bottom of Form Daniel Glaser and Frank Glaser who own Heirloom and Stayloom – a business that specializes in renovating and renting luxury homes in historic neighborhoods. The Glaser’s acquired the property from preservationist and owner Jesse LeBlanc II in two separate transactions totaling $2.7 million, according to a NOLA.com article. One of the most notable aspects of the renovation is the full restoration of the building’s iconic front façade. The property, which once featured enclosed porches, now displays its original double gallery Greek Revival design. The grand arch between the double parlors and the crown molding were found beneath the dropped ceiling and restored. A new roof was also installed. Tax credits were utilized to preserve and restore the historical integrity of the building while updating it for modern use. “Before the purchase, the property did not have its best foot forward and the shape it was in almost completely covered up its original character,” said Donna Fricker, owner of Fricker Historic Preservation Services, LLC, a historic tax credit consulting firm for owners, contractors, and architects across the state. “The entire renovation team, overseen by Heirloom, really went above and beyond what they were required to do to restore 1212 Magazine’s historical elements and original charm and update it for current commercial use. The exterior is extremely appealing, the streetscape has improved, and this building can now return to benefit our economy.” Key challenges included selective demolition to retain intricate historical elements, such as plaster work and millwork, while ensuring structural stability. Despite these challenges, JLV Construction completed the project ahead of the planned nine-month timeline. “The work that we put into bringing a historic property back into commerce is an amazing feeling, and we are proud of the team effort at 1212 Magazine,” said JLV Construction CEO Kirk Williamson. “We are excited to once again be a part of the Beams & Brews series, and we look forward to showing off the finished product.” JLV was founded in New Orleans in 2010 by current director of operations and former CEO Jose Villeda. The company began as a two-person operation committed to rebuilding New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and has grown into a DBE-certified residential and commercial contracting firm with 23 employees. Historic renovations are not new to JLV Construction. In February, Beams & Brews visited a JLV Construction restoration at 1816-1818 Fourth St. – an 1880’s Central City double shotgun that was transformed into two independent rental units. JLV also led the renovation of 3301 Chippewa St. (renovation of a 19th century corner bakery into an architecture studio); 3233 Loyola Ave. (renovation of a 19th century store into a shotgun house complex); and 3707 S. Saratoga St. (renovation of a 20th century two-story house); and 1121 Kerlerec St. (renovation of a 20th century Creole cottage); to name a few. “The Beams & Brews series is right up our alley and our business, and makes sense for us to be a contributor and presenting sponsor,” said Williamson. “We enjoy renovating and restoring properties and sharing our story with hundreds of people interested in construction, architecture, and preservation. They are our kinds of people.” Shoriak said Beams & Brews events average about 150 people in attendance. The last Beams & Brews event was in May when attendees toured the Common House at 420 Julia St., the site of the former Children’s Museum. In March, Beams & Brews also visited the old Holy Cross school in the Ninth Ward that has been transformed into an apartment complex. That event featured the highest Beams & Brews attendance with close to 300 people. “We really enjoy this event. It’s what the PRC is all about, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Shoriak. “Beams & Brews also brings together like-minded people in the industry, so that contractors new to the field can learn from experienced contractors completing these restorations.”