UNCOVERING HISTORY
At The Mayfair, our commitment extends beyond hospitality. Nestled within four historically significant buildings, we are dedicated to revitalizing New Orleans’ iconic Canal Street as the city’s premier shopping and entertainment district. Our restoration efforts focus on preserving both the architectural integrity and rich narratives embedded within these walls—buildings that once housed the piano store of legendary jazz publisher Junius Hart (1883 – 1929), a cultural hub where musicians and composers gathered to shape the local music scene; the Prohibition-era Arcadia and Alamo taxi dance halls (1920s – 1940s), lively venues for jazz music and social dancing that kept the spirit of the Roaring Twenties alive; McCrory’s Luncheon (1936 – 1985), an eatery where locals and visitors enjoyed traditional New Orleans cuisine, as well as a pivotal site for sit-ins that sparked desegregation in the city; and the former Mayfair Department Store (1947 – 1969), a shopping destination for the city’s fashionable elite known for its upscale offerings and elegant atmosphere, symbolizing the post-war economic boom.
Vacant for almost fifty years, these buildings’ upper floors have been meticulously restored, capturing the spirit of their storied past. Discover the preserved elements throughout the property, such as exposed brick and plaster walls, columns, and original decorative molding featured in some of our suites.