Primary Workspace
Gretna, Louisiana
Historic Roots, Modern Purpose: Reimagining Gretna's Iconic Primary School
Photography by Michael Mantese
Gretna, located just across the river from Uptown New Orleans, is a historic gem among Louisiana river towns. Known for its popular music festival and well-preserved downtown with Hill Valley charm, it’s becoming a sought-after place to live, work, and play.
Gretna Primary School sits prominently in the median of Huey P. Long Avenue, bridging the historic Mechanikham neighborhood and downtown Gretna. Built between 1910 and 1911 in the Italian Revival style by Stevens and Nelson Architects, the building is part of the Gretna Cultural District and National Register Historic District. Originally a primary school until 1945, it later housed the Parish Welfare Department, the Red Cross—where trade skills were taught during WWII—and eventually the Jefferson Parish School Board offices.
Its interior layout is centered around a two-story auditorium space directly accessed from the entrance on the second floor of the building. All that remained of the grand space was two-thirds of the plaster proscenium arch hanging precariously from the attic joists in the large space. The interior design of the project is centered around recreating this space as a center of activity, rebuilding the historic arch and stage elements and using them as a centerpiece of a common amenity space capable of hosting events.
The historic second floor entrance, now adorned with black-and-white checkered marble tile, leads to a grand split staircase that connects the two historic corridors. Guests will arrive on this central axis and check-in at a small reception area built into one of the original transomed openings, with restored ornamental casing and carpentry work. Accessed through a similar cased opening, the featured commons area in the old auditorium space features walnut millwork to create a warm and sophisticated environment. Private booths designed to create more intimate meeting and work spaces are tucked under the mezzanine. The recreated curved stage is lined with a curved cushioned banquette dotted with hot desks for floating-desk members. Acoustic baffles on the ceiling in a starburst pattern bring visual interest, light, and a softer sound to the grand space. Existing heart pine flooring was retained as much as possible, though water damage and past renovations had claimed a large portion of it. Good flooring was reused in the showcase spaces and other areas where flooring could not be reused, Golvabia engineered wood flooring in a walnut finish was installed.
Within the interior motifs, subtle Art Deco nods were scattered throughout the project in a nod to the building’s greatest period of significance. Deep hues of blues and greens were used to create an exciting space that suggests an element of serenity, confidence and authority.
Spanning lengthwise through the building are large, historic corridors, bathed in sunlight from grand double-hung windows, all of which were restored as a part of the project. Private offices, conference and meeting rooms, mail rooms, and phone booths are situated in the center of the floor plan, accessed off the historic corridors, which themselves are so large that they host a series of small hot desks and meeting tables that will animate the space.
The funding for the building’s reuse was partially accomplished with Louisiana State Historic Tax Credits, and the design team worked closely with the state Historic Preservation Office to ensure the interventions met the Secretary of Interior’s Guidelines for Historic Preservation. This involves a three-part approval process, which was led by Southkick Rolf Preservation Works. The project was also subject to the City of Gretna’s Historic District Commission.