Mandeville Crossing and the Historic Wharf Rehabilitation project reestablishes the critical link between the French Quarter of New Orleans and the Mississippi River waterfront. The 1000-foot long bridge design employs light, materials, and processional movement to capture the essence of New Orleans and experientially evoke the extraordinary ephemeral qualities of the nearby River. The project is part of the city’s ambitious “Reinventing the Crescent” riverfront redevelopment plan for a six mile stretch of Mississippi riverfront that incorporates new parks, gathering spaces, mixed use development, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and iconic landmarks.

Reconnecting a City and its Waterfront

Bridging a major floodwall and four rail lines, the crossing reconnects the city and the waterfront, building upon the city’s history and building a new nexus for future development. Linking the historic French Quarter with a one mile long waterfront park, the bridge’s entrance relates to the height of the existing flood wall and provides a direct visual connection to New Orleans’ infrastructure. The bridge sinuously floats over the flood wall and existing train tracks before descend through a opening in the wharf building’s rooftop. Visible below, water shimmers through a new cut in the existing wharf deck, providing an experiential connection to the river. At a final pivotal moment, the bridge opens to incorporate an observation balcony, providing a literal and visual connection to the Mississippi before the bridge passes below the wharf’s shed roof.

A Restored Platform for Performance

The Mandeville Wharf structure is kept as raw and true to its original character as possible. Necessary additional utilities and lighting providing necessary event infrastructure to support a range of public gatherings and performance. The adjacent park stretches west and south with views to the towers and bridges of downtown New Orleans in the distance. The bridge crossing, in tandem with the wharf, establishes a new, direct connection between the city and this new major park, creating a new front porch for the New Orleans community.