Lot's of good signs for the future of downtown New Orleans. Since Katrina, occupancy rates have climbed to 89%, the highest rates in the South. For comparison, Atlanta's downtown occupancy is at 70%.

Here's the article (http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-0/113670378689340.xml)

Great news! :bowtie: I wonder how that compares to the figures before Katrina?

im sorry but i have trouble believing that..is that not counting buildings that are unoccupiable?

im sorry but i have trouble believing that..is that not counting buildings that are unoccupiable?

That's a good question. Before Katrina, occupancy rates were at 87%. Dominion tower is the only building that is not occupied right now. So, I'm not sure if they are including that building in these figures or not. Good question.

EDIT: To clarify, I should have stated "one of the highest occupancy rates". Not the highest, but I can't edit the title. Oh well.

im sorry but i have trouble believing that..is that not counting buildings that are unoccupiable?

I agree, I mean that's really great if true, but I find it hard to believe it's that high this quick after Katrina.

Seeing as how Ft. Worth's downtown occupancy rate is around 95%, I don't think someone did their homework.

Ok, I've fixed the title. Didn't know you could edit the title. Sorry people... a little clearer now.

Seeing as how Ft. Worth's downtown occupancy rate is around 95%, I don't think someone did their homework.
Fort Worth is the South?

I don't really see what the big deal is...we've got a couple of skyscrapers out of commission, corporations and businesses have returned, and we have had some small to medium permanent relocations to New Orleans since Katrina, mainly having to do with recovery. A realistic look at the market, standing back, says that, in light of the hurricane, we will have one or two office towers turn into condos to grab the quick buck, watch approximately 4 to 6 more condo/hotel towers arise in the next 5 years ranging from 20 to 90 storeys (there is one 90 storey standout tower that isn't scheduled to begin construction for 24 months and it is sort of tied with the convention center expansion), and we will likely see one or two significant office towers arise (and this was known in business circles before the hurricane). As much as the media hyped the tragedy, and it was justified, in the same real way, New Orleans is coming back. But, it's honestly coming back with more momentum than it had before Katrina, and the metro area is and will continue to benefit from this attitude. It's about what one would realistically expect standing back and watching the big picture, IMO.

Fort Worth is the South?

Yes