Entity
General Laundry Building
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
The General Laundry Building in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a notable example of Art Deco architecture from the 1930s. Commissioned by Robert Chapoit, president of General Laundry, Cleaners, and Dyers, after a fire destroyed the previous facility, the building was designed by the architectural firm of Jones, Roessel, Olschner, and Wiener.
Beyond its primary function as a laundry facility, the building hosted monthly fashion shows, where champagne was served, and models showcased both homespun and exotic fabrics in contemporary fashions. However, with the advent of modern in-home washing machines, the laundry operations ceased in 1945, and the building was sold.
Despite its historical and architectural significance, the building has faced neglect over the years, passing through various owners without restoration efforts. It has been threatened with demolition multiple times, but such actions have not been executed. The facade is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, yet no substantial preservation initiatives have been undertaken to date.