A significant part of New Orleans history was saved on April 8 when the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission unanimously voted to deny the demolition of the former Joe Victor’s Saloon in Tremé – a mid-19th century building that is one of only three remaining from Storyville. The red-light district was as culturally significant as it was infamous for its association with Black and Creole musicians who contributed to the birth of jazz.
The commission approved the demolition of a non-historic rear addition that has collapsed.
At the meeting, the Preservation Resource Center thanked the commission for their patience with this application, deferring the decision for several months to allow us to work closely with the owner, the Mousa family, to explore alternatives to demolition. In December 2025, the HDLC staff recommended allowing the demolition of the building, albeit with “great resignation,” due to the structural deterioration and life safety concerns that were identified during the staff inspection.
Since December, PRC had several meetings and conversations with the owner and coordinated a site visit with structural engineering firm Marais Consultants to provide another opinion on the building’s condition. Importantly, the structural assessment found that the historic masonry structure is repairable; the commission was provided a copy of that report for review.
The owner also owns 1216 Bienville St., which is another of the remaining Storyville properties. Unfortunately, it is also vacant.
Saving Joe Victor’s Saloon is a rare opportunity to shed light on the layers of Storyville’s untold social and cultural history. But this building needs a responsible owner to ensure the building is safely secured and returned to commerce. If the current owner is unable to maintain the property, it may be time to sell to someone who can. The historic significance of the building means it is eligible for Historic Tax Credits to offset qualified rehabilitation costs.
The PRC will continue to advocate for the owner to act swiftly to protect this cultural asset or sell to someone who will.
