The BankPlus Tower (previously known as the First Bank Tower, LL&E Tower and 909 Poydras Tower), located at 909
Poydras Street in the
Central Business District
A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
of
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...
, is a 36-story, -tall skyscraper designed in the post-modern style by
Welton Becket & Associates and developed by
Joseph C. Canizaro. It is the fifth tallest building in both the city of New Orleans and the state of
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
. Floors 2-8 are parking levels, and 10-36 hold office space.
Hertz Investment Group is the current owner, having acquired the building in 2005
Beau Box Commercial Real Estatehandles the leasing for this building. The current name comes from the New Orleans area bank
BankPlus,
Renamed First Bank and Trust Tower lights up , New Orleans CityBusiness , Find Articles at BNET.com
/ref> the previous name comes from the Louisiana Land & Exploration Company.
The exterior of the building is clad in granite and bronze tinted glass. The building is illuminated by spotlights at night, making it one of the most visible buildings in New Orleans' night time skyline. The 7 levels of parking are accessed from O'Keefe Avenue. In front of the main entrance on Poydras Street are a pair of bronze sculptures by Enrique Alférez depicting David
David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament.
The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...
and a lute
A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck (music), neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted.
More specifically, the term "lu ...
player.
The building suffered some damage during Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...
in August 2005, including blown out windows and roof damage. The building reopened to tenants in late 2005.
Location
909 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70112-4000
The BankPlus Tower is bounded by the following streets:
* Poydras Street (south)
* O'Keefe Avenue (west)
* Perdido Street (north)
* Penn Street (east)
See also
* List of tallest buildings in New Orleans
* List of tallest buildings in Louisiana
References
External links
909 Poydras Tower
{{New Orleans skyscrapers
Skyscraper office buildings in New Orleans
Welton Becket buildings
Commercial buildings completed in 1987
1987 establishments in Louisiana