Weinstein's
New Orleans, Louisiana
In 2001, the owners of Weinstein’s relocated their high-end fashion boutique from One Canal Place to the 4000 block of historic Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans, influencing the revitalization of the Garden District into a premier shopping destination. NANO transformed the former dog grooming salon into an award-winning merchandising environment – one of Uptown's first modern upscale retail spaces. Recipient of the 2003 AIA New Orleans Honor Award, Weinstein's serves as a symbol of transformation for both NANO and the client – the renovation provided a space worthy of the brand’s wares while dramatically increasing their sales by 200%.
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana
Size
1,750
Status
2002
Category
Retail + Hospitality
Project Team
Terri Dreyer, Ian Dreyer
Weinstein’s is more than just a commercial renovation – it was Terri and Ian’s first award-winning commercial design project. Recipient of the AIA New Orleans Honor Award, Weinstein’s serves as a symbol of transformation and growth for NANO even today.
NANO updated the original dilapidated structure with a statement-making minimalist brick façade that reflects dramatic interior changes and gives the store an iconic presence on Magazine Street. A street-level storefront and clerestory lighting infuse the interior with balanced natural light that help reduce energy costs. The striking design is complemented by a narrow addition that replaces a former side stair, adding to the store’s distinctive street presence while protecting it from storm damage.
Though the renovated building brings a modern sensibility to Magazine Street, its scale, proportions, and materials still respect the historical context. As a modern boutique in the heart of the Garden District, Weinstein's carries forward the tradition of Magazine Street—magasin means "store" in French—as one of Uptown New Orleans' favorite places to shop.
A narrow addition clad in silver metal panels enhances the original historic fenestration and gives the store a distinctive and iconic street presence while protecting it from storm damage.
Inside, we gutted the two-story interior to create a grand double-height space with a mezzanine accessed via a sculptural folded steel staircase. The monumental stair anchors the otherwise open plan, which we designed to minimize visual clutter and foreground Weinstein’s merchandise. Simple, elegant display racks and modern materials like glass and steel complement the original terrazzo floors and further highlight the clothing while revitalizing the store's identity.
To give the space an unexpected flair and further elevate the retail experience, we designed and built dynamic double-sided jewelry cases made from walnut, glass, and sandblasted resin panels. These unique displays swivel to face the retail floor or the fitting rooms, offering customers the chance to experience the jewelry with their ensemble. This design innovation helped increase jewelry sales by 200%.
