Logan Reid
Charity Hospital in New Orleans has been closed since 2005 due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The hospital has a long history of serving the community, dating back to its founding in 1736. In recent years, there have been redevelopment plans and efforts to bring the hospital back to life, with Tulane University announcing its plans to lease and redevelop the site. The project is expected to cost $600 million and aims to transform the hospital into a hub for biotech discovery and innovation, housing research facilities and educational institutions. The new target move-in date is 2027, marking a significant step in the revitalization of the former central business district.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status | Closed |
| Planned reopening date | 2027 |
| Address | 1532 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112–1352 |
| Year founded | 1736 |
| Year closed | 2005 |
| Owner | LSU |
| Redevelopment partners | 1532 Tulane Partners, Inc., SKK Opportunity Zone Fund I, LLC, CCNO, El-Ad Group |
| Redevelopment cost | $300 million |
| Redevelopment plans | Homes, retail space, and other facilities |
| Former function | Teaching hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Charity Hospital's closure was due to Hurricane Katrina
Charity Hospital in New Orleans has been closed since 2005 due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The hospital was flooded, with stormwaters breaching the levees and causing damage to the interior. The basement of the hospital was flooded, trapping around 360 patients and 1,200 staff members inside. The evacuation of patients from the hospital made national headlines, with patients having to be ferried through high floodwaters and then airlifted from the roof of the hospital.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, there was much debate about the future of the hospital. Despite efforts to clean and restore the building, Charity Hospital never reopened. The closure caused a rupture to its legacy of serving marginalized populations, and the site became a memorial for those who died during the storm.
The Louisiana State University (LSU) System, which owned the building, opted to incorporate Charity Hospital into the city's new medical center in the lower Mid-City neighborhood. The new hospital, named University Medical Center New Orleans, was completed in August 2015.
Some sources allege that LSU used the disaster as an excuse to close the hospital and acquire federal disaster funds. The closure of Charity Hospital has been attributed to ""disaster capitalism," with LSU abandoning the iconic but neglected facility and shifting its focus to favor its academic medical enterprise.
Tulane University announced plans in 2021 to redevelop Charity Hospital, with a projected reopening in 2027. The redevelopment aims to position downtown New Orleans as a hub of biotech discovery and innovation, housing researchers, innovation institutes, and supplements to Tulane's medical and public health schools.
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Charity Hospital's history and legacy
Charity Hospital in New Orleans was established in 1736 with an endowment from a French shipbuilder, Jean Louis. In his will, drawn up in 1735, Louis bequeathed money for the foundation of a hospital in New Orleans, stating:
> After my debts shall have been paid and the above wishes shall have been carried out, a sale shall be made of the property, the proceeds of which I give and bequeath with my small lot of ground, to serve in perpetuity in the foundation of a Hospital for the Sick of New Orleans, no one having the right to oppose this disposition made in order to provide things necessary to the care of the sick.
The first location of Charity Hospital was on what is now Chartres and Bienville Streets and was called the Hospital of St. John. Over the years, Charity Hospital occupied several buildings, with the first four either wearing out or being lost to fire. The fifth building, constructed in 1832, was in a state of disrepair by 1933, leading to the construction of a sixth building, which opened in 1939. This building, located on Tulane Avenue, was a 20-storey art-deco structure designed by the architectural firm Weiss, Dreyfous, and Seiferth.
Charity Hospital was one of the oldest continually operating hospitals in the US and served as a safety net for the poorest patients in one of America's poorest cities. It was also one of the first teaching hospitals in the country, with a long history of providing medical education and training. The hospital was administered by the Sisters of Charity from 1834 onwards, who built it into a "celebrated institution of healing in the city".
However, Charity Hospital faced financial struggles and was taken over by the Louisiana State University Medical School. In 2005, the hospital was closed due to extensive damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Despite calls for its revival, the hospital never reopened, and its functions were consolidated into the University Medical Center New Orleans, which opened in 2015. The original Charity Hospital building remains a notable landmark in New Orleans, with its art-deco design and long history as a vital healthcare institution in the city.
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Tulane University's redevelopment plans
Tulane University has been working on redevelopment plans for the former Charity Hospital in New Orleans, which has been vacant since 2005 due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. The university aims to revitalise the iconic 20-story building, transforming it into a vibrant hub of innovation and research.
In 2021, Tulane announced its commitment to leasing and redeveloping Charity Hospital, intending to occupy at least 500,000 square feet of the building. The university plans to expand its research and educational facilities, accommodating close to 1,000 students and staff in administrative offices, research spaces, and classrooms. The Tulane Innovation Institute, a new initiative to help researchers bring their findings to market, will also be housed in the redeveloped hospital. Additionally, Tulane's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the first such school in the US, will relocate to the renovated facility, benefiting from the investment in redevelopment.
The redevelopment project is expected to cost at least $650 million, with the university seeking funding from various sources, including the New Orleans City Council, which committed $20 million in city funds. The project is divided into two parts: a residential component led by Domain Cos. and a biomedical conversion led by Tulane. The university's portion of the project is estimated to cost around $420 million.
The redevelopment plans also include a mix of other uses, such as offices for biomedical companies and life sciences tenants, retail spaces, an outdoor café, and greenspace. There will also be dedicated space for an interactive museum, showcasing Charity Hospital's history and antique medical artifacts. The goal is to create a vibrant centre of neighbourhood activity, with greater public access to this cultural landmark, while preserving its historic appearance.
The project is expected to be completed by 2027, marking a significant step in the university's expansion and its commitment to downtown New Orleans.
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The building's future as a hub for biotech
Charity Hospital in New Orleans has been closed since 2005 due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The hospital's closure has had a significant impact on the surrounding area, with the central business district suffering in the years since.
Tulane University has announced a $600 million plan to redevelop the site, with the aim of reopening in 2027. The university intends to lease the building and transform it into a hub for biotech discovery and innovation, housing over 600 researchers, the Tulane University Innovation Institute, and supplements to several of the university's schools, including the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the School of Professional Advancement.
The redevelopment project is being carried out by 1532 Tulane Partners, Inc. and SKK Opportunity Zone Fund I, LLC, with the former already having spent millions of dollars on the project. The sheer size of the building, at 1 million square feet, has presented a significant challenge in terms of redevelopment, and construction costs have caused delays. However, the project has attracted additional investment from other developers, who are keen to be a part of the New Orleans Bio-Medical District.
The rebirth of Charity Hospital is expected to revitalize the area, attracting life sciences tenants and researchers to work alongside Tulane's researchers. The university's president, Michael Fitts, has emphasized the importance of respecting the history of the site while also looking towards the future of New Orleans.
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The impact on the surrounding area
Charity Hospital in New Orleans has been closed since 2005 due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The hospital's closure has had a significant impact on the surrounding area.
Before its closure, Charity Hospital served as a vital safety net for the community, providing medical care and training for doctors and nurses. The hospital was also a source of economic activity and employment for the area. The closure of the hospital left a void in the community, both in terms of healthcare and economic opportunities.
The building has since remained vacant and fallen into disrepair. The area surrounding the hospital has likely experienced a decline in economic activity and may have become blighted or neglected. The closure of such a large and important institution could have led to a decrease in foot traffic and business opportunities in the area.
However, there are plans to redevelop the hospital, which could have a positive impact on the surrounding area. Tulane University, in partnership with developers, plans to lease and redevelop the building, with a move-in date planned for 2027. The redevelopment project is expected to cost $300 million and will include a mix of homes, retail spaces, and other facilities. The project is expected to revitalise the former central business district, which has been suffering since the hospital's closure.
The redevelopment of Charity Hospital is already attracting interest from other developers, with several vacant buildings in the area being purchased. The project is seen as a key step in creating a biomedical district in New Orleans, which could bring new economic opportunities and jobs to the area. The impact of the redevelopment is expected to be significant, with Tulane University's investment already sending "ripples" through the community.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Charity Hospital in New Orleans has been closed since 2005 due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
After the hurricane, Charity Hospital was evacuated and closed. The building suffered significant damage, including flooding in the basement, trapping around 360 patients and 1,200 staff members.
The building is currently being redeveloped as part of a \$600 million plan led by Tulane University. The project aims to revitalise the former central business district and establish a hub of biotech discovery and innovation in downtown New Orleans.
The redevelopment project was expected to take around three years, with an initial move-in date planned for early 2025. However, due to various challenges and delays, the new target for completion is 2027.
The flagship building will house Tulane's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, biomedical research labs, the Tulane Innovation Institute, and the School of Professional Advancement. It will also include spaces for research, offices, and classrooms, with a focus on attracting life sciences tenants and fostering innovation.
