Project Spotlight: 1920s Rectory Becomes Bellwether Technology Headquarters

In 2021, GOAT teamed with Bellwether Technology, to restore the former rectory building attached to the historic Our Lady of Lourdes Church in New Orleans that has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The nearly completed renovation will be Bellwether’s new corporate headquarters with a move-in date set for next month. The Spanish Colonial Revival church and rectory date back to 1925 and will be restored in time to celebrate 100 years as a primary fixture of the Freret neighborhood.

GOAT worked with Bellwether to create a combination of flexible, contemporary, and collaborative coworking style spaces and private offices. The renovation also includes a large ground floor break room with an outdoor dining area, a fitness center, and conference spaces throughout each of the three floors.

“We deployed a light touch throughout much of the historic building, allowing its character to shine through,” revealed GOAT co-founder Colin VanWingen. “Most of the creative reinvention was reserved for the common areas.”

The finishes and fixtures selected for these spaces provide a contemporary contrast to the building’s carefully restored, reserved exterior. Enthusiastic use of color and texture also differentiate the common and collaborative areas from the more neutral offices and circulation spaces. The palette pulls inspiration from the Bellwether brand, which was reimagined concurrently with the development of the interior design for their corporate headquarters.

Additional renderings and photos of the Bellwether project can be found here.