The former Sacred Heart Church has been transformed into a new mixed-income housing community in New Orleans.

“Housing affordability is at a crisis point in New Orleans, making projects like this one vitally important,” says LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans mayor, who took part in the the grand opening of Sacred Heart at St. Bernard.
Seersucker Studios “Housing affordability is at a crisis point in New Orleans, making projects like this one vitally important,” says LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans mayor, who took part in the the grand opening of Sacred Heart at St. Bernard.

Developers Providence Community Housing and Columbia Residential celebrated the official opening of Sacred Heart at St. Bernard with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 18. The multifamily community is located in the city’s 7th Ward within the Faubourg Lafitte and Choice Neighborhood footprints.

Built in 1955, the church has been renovated and developed into a community living room, mail room, and six rental units. The adaptive-reuse project allowed for unique architectural elements, such as the 25-foot arched ceiling, exposed brick, stone carvings with religious iconography, and brass pendant lighting, to remain part of the new development. In two units, confessionals were converted to nooks for studying or dining, while the church tower and choir loft were each translated to apartments with creative floorplans.

Built in 1955 and long vacant, the Sacred Heart Church has been adapted into a community living room, a mail room, and six rental units at the new 53-unit Sacred Heart at St. Bernard in New Orleans.
Seersucker Studios Built in 1955 and long vacant, the Sacred Heart Church has been adapted into a community living room, a mail room, and six rental units at the new 53-unit Sacred Heart at St. Bernard in New Orleans.

Adjacent to the church, a new four-story building has been constructed with additional residential rental units, bringing the community total to 53 one- and two-bedroom apartments and more than 65,000 square feet. Forty-four units are reserved for residents who earn less than 60% of the area median income, and nine are market-rate.

The first floor also will house approximately 4,200 square feet of retail space and serve as a home base for 826 New Orleans, a nonprofit youth creative writing group. The buildings are connected by a private courtyard, creating an outdoor gathering space that bridges together the old and the new.

"Sacred Heart at St. Bernard exemplifies Providence’s mission-driven approach to real estate development by preserving and increasing the supply of affordable homes throughout the Greater New Orleans region,” said Terri North, president and CEO of Providence Community Housing. “This vision could not have become a reality without the collaboration of Columbia Residential, the City of New Orleans, Louisiana Housing Corp., Housing Authority of New Orleans, NeighborWorks, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Urban Focus, Vance Vaucresson, and all of the neighbors who have shared valuable input throughout this development. Together, we are connecting people to resources that create opportunity and enhance quality of life.”

Christina Davis, senior project manager of Columbia Residential; John Schrader, vice president of JHP Architecture; and Jim Grauley, president and COO of Columbia Residential, are part of the team that created New Orleans’ latest affordable housing community.
Seersucker Studios Christina Davis, senior project manager of Columbia Residential; John Schrader, vice president of JHP Architecture; and Jim Grauley, president and COO of Columbia Residential, are part of the team that created New Orleans’ latest affordable housing community.

The church had been built to serve the white population of the area, while black parishioners attended separated churches. But as white parishioners moved out of the area and the church’s congregation dwindled in the 1970s, it was shuttered, according to local reports.

Each apartment includes new Energy Star appliances. Residents also have access to on-site laundry facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center, and gated parking. The community is located along the 51 and 52 St. Bernard-St. Anthony/St. Bernard-Paris Avenue bus lines.

Financing for the approximately $13.5 million development included about $8 million in low-income housing tax credit equity from Enterprise Community Investment. The housing credits were allocated by the Louisiana Housing Corp.

“Amid a rapid increase in short-term rentals and rising costs of homes in many previously affordable New Orleans neighborhoods, Columbia Residential is truly honored to bring this redevelopment to life alongside our incredible partners,” said Noel Khalil, founder and principal of Columbia Residential. “Together with Providence Community Housing, we have created a one-of-a-kind place for residents and visitors that honors the beauty of the historic site while serving today’s families with modern amenities.”

JHP Architecture and Gulf Engineers & Consultants make up the design team, and Block Builders is the general contractor. Columbia Residential will manage the property.