KEY TAKEAWAYS: HNOC renames former K-Paul’s restaurant the Chef Paul Prudhomme Building. $6.4 million renovation transforms 1834 structure into creative production facility. Facility includes workshops, media studios, collaborative design spaces, and offices. Dedication celebrates Chef Prudh omme’s cultural impact and supports HNOC’s mission. The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) has officially renamed the former K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen at 416 Chartres St. as the Chef Paul Prudhomme Building, following a $6.4 million historic renovation. The dedication ceremony took place Dec. 3. HNOC acquired the two-story, 1834 structure in late 2023 and transformed it into a modern facility for exhibition fabrication, media production, and collections operations. The renaming honors Chef Prudhomme’s cultural legacy while positioning the building as a creative hub supporting HNOC’s mission. “Chef Paul Prudhomme helped shape how the world understands Louisiana food and culture. By dedicating this building in his honor, we are preserving an important chapter of our region’s history while giving the space new purpose in service of our mission,” said Daniel Hammer, HNOC president and CEO. The renovation presented notable structural challenges. Katie Boyer, director of operational excellence for Ryan Gootee General Contractors, explained that the project involved reconciling two different building frames and carefully restoring historic masonry using specialized techniques to maintain integrity while addressing moisture issues. The updated facility now includes wood and metal fabrication workshops, digital media workstations, collaborative design studios, and flexible office space. Approximately 24 HNOC staff members will relocate to the building, joining more than 140 employees across the French Quarter campus, which spans 14 historic structures. The move supports HNOC’s broader effort to rehabilitate its Royal Street campus, which will ultimately offer gallery spaces, public event areas, and educational facilities fully accessible to visitors for the first time. Marty Cosgrove, president of Magic Seasoning Blends, praised the dedication, saying, “Chef Paul’s legacy continues to inspire cooks, culture bearers and communities across Louisiana and beyond. We applaud the Historic New Orleans Collection for preserving the place where so much of his creativity came to life.” The Chef Paul Prudhomme Building underscores HNOC’s commitment to adaptive reuse, blending historic preservation with expanded public exhibitions, digital initiatives, and educational programs. For more information, visit hnoc.org. ...read more read less