NEW ORLEANS—
A famed New Orleans landmark was resurrected
today. The iconic Crystal Preserves sign, New Orleans landmark that for decades greeted
drivers as they entered the city, can once again be seen off the I-10 overpass at Tulane
and Carrollton Avenues.The historic sign was reconstructed on top of The Preserve, a 183-apartment complex built by The Domain Companies on the former site of the Baumer Foods processing plant. Baumer Foods sold their original location on Tulane Avenue to Domain after suffering significant damage by Hurricane Katrina. The Preserve is a key component of Domain's $125 million effort to revitalize Tulane Avenue with a mix of first-class apartments, for-sale homes, retail, parks and infrastructure improvements.
As part of that effort, and in keeping with the commitment made to the Mid-City community during the project's planning phase, Domain recreated the historic sign to serve as a symbol of the area's renaissance.
The Baumer bottling plant, where Crystal Hot Sauce was manufactured, was famously recognized for its iconic neon sign featuring a chef stirring a giant vat of strawberry jam. According to Matt Schwartz and Chris Papamichael, partners of The Domain Companies, the Crystal Preserves sign is a symbol of New Orleans' legendary flavor. The Domain Companies named their development the Preserve in honor of the famous bottling company.
The original sign which dated back to the 1940s was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The new sign was constructed and installed by A-1 Signs. About The Domain Companies
Founded by Matt Schwartz and Chris Papamichael in 2004, The Domain Companies specializes in the acquisition, rehabilitation and development of affordable, middleincome and market-rate housing with a focus on community development. Domain has been involved in the new construction and preservation of affordable and middle income housing, acquisition and repositioning of distressed housing, historic restoration, brownfield redevelopment, seniors and special needs housing, neighborhood retail and office complex development.
