New Orleans City Council. The New Orleans City Council passed Zoning Docket 51/20, approving a conditional use to permit the redevelopment of the “Caveman” Hotel located at 6324-6400 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East. This zoning change will facilitate the transformation of the former Holiday Inn, bringing the blighted property back into commerce after fifteen years of vacancy. 

 

The structure, which was built in the 1960s and opened as a Holiday Inn in 1969, is one of the first buildings seen from the Interstate when crossing the Industrial Canal into New Orleans East. Situated in plain view of the Interstate, it has become a canvas for large-scale graffiti that now characterizes the derelict hotel more commonly known as the “Caveman” in reference to the large sprawling graffiti letters covering the entire facade.

 

The building will be renovated using Historic Tax Credits with commercial space on the first floor and 144 one-bedroom apartments on the remaining eight floors. The applicant will remodel the entire structure while maintaining the original “Holiday Inn” style and facade and plans to install new green and open space and modify the parking area to incorporate stormwater management and landscape features. 

 

The approval of this zoning docket represents a huge win for New Orleans East and specifically, Chef Menteur Highway, which is in great need of additional commercial and residential uses throughout the area.