May 6, 2025
Finance New Orleans Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of St. Bernard Circle Apartments
On Wednesday, April 23, Finance New Orleans joined city officials, developers, and community members to celebrate the ribbon cutting of St. Bernard Circle Apartments, a transformational housing and retail development in the historic 7th Ward of New Orleans.
Watch the recap video here.
Strategically located on St. Bernard Avenue across from the iconic Circle Food Store, St. Bernard Circle Apartments provides 51 thoughtfully designed residential units, a healthy mix of affordable, moderate, and market-rate housing, alongside vibrant retail spaces for local minority-owned businesses.
The project was developed by HRI Properties in partnership with New Orleans Restoration Properties, bringing together decades of development experience and deep community ties.
Finance New Orleans played a pivotal role by providing a PILOT, helping to make this project financially feasible and reinforcing our commitment to resilient, inclusive growth.
Built to Enterprise Green Communities and FORTIFIED Gold standards, St. Bernard Circle Apartments exemplifies sustainable design, disaster resilience, and thoughtful urban revitalization.
“This development is more than just housing; it’s a cornerstone in a high-opportunity neighborhood,” Sydney Shivers, Director of Housing Policy and Programs at Finance New Orleans said. “We’re investing in homes, economic opportunity, and community pride, all at a site with rich historic and cultural significance.”
Paul Irons, Principal at New Orleans Restoration Properties, emphasized the importance of long-term affordability. “Forty of these homes are affordable for the next 99 years. That’s not just a marketing line, that’s a lifeline for families in this community where they can lay down roots and not be afraid that they would be priced out. This is our stand against the tide of gentrification that pushes out the people that created this community, the culture bearers that deserve to continue to live in this community as it improves.”
Finance New Orleans is proud to lead strategic investments that help New Orleans neighborhoods thrive today and for generations to come.
