House for Tomorrow (1936)

House of the Future, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

This 'House for Tomorrow' on Henry Clay was designed by Nathaniel Cortlandt Curtis (1881-1953), principle draftsman for Moise H. Goldstein, architects.

Curtis served as head of Architecture at Tulane from 1912-1917 and wrote several books: Elements of Graphics (1909), Architectural Composition (1923, 1935), and New Orleans, its Old Houses Shops and Public Buildings (1933). At the time of his death in 1953, he was working on a manuscript entitled, Elements of Modern Architecture.

Curtis influenced generations of New Orleans architects, especially his son, Nathaniel C. 'Buster' Curtis, jr. (1917-1997), who shared his father's love of painting, belief in Modernism, and a respect for historic and regional architecture.

Feibleman’s Department Store / Wyndham Garden

Feibleman’s Department Store / Wyndham Garden, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

The Feibleman Department Store (1931) was designed by Samuel Wilson, Jr. for Moise H. Goldstein architects. The building is best known by New Orleanians as the Sears-Roebuck Store (1936-1991) but was later adapted as the Baronne Plaza Hotel (1998-2009). The hotel was renovated in 2010 and recently re-opened as the Wyndham Garden Baronne Plaza.

A slightly earlier example of Art Deco architecture by Goldstein Architects in the CBD is the National American Bank Building (1929) at 200 Carondelet Street.

National American Bank Building (1929)

National American Bank Building (1929), originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Moise H. Goldstein Associates designed the 23- story limestone and steel National American Bank Building at 200 Carondelet in the Upper Central Business District. This Modernistic skyscraper is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jens B. Jensen, Consulting engineer; George T. Glover, contractor.

[photo: Southeastern Architectural Archive, Tulane University Libraries]

National American Bank (Lee Circle branch) 1952-54, razed 2007

In 1952 the National American Bank of New Orleans (established 1917) announced the selection of Goldstein Parham and Labouisse, architects for the design of a new office on Lee Circle with ample parking and drive-through service. Moise H. Goldstein previously designed the 1929 art deco National American Bank Building at 200 Carondelet which also housed his firm's office.

Boh Brothers were general contractors for the new Lee Circle bank branch and custom cabinetry was provided by Riecke Cabinet Works (established 1905). Riecke also designed and built custom furnishings for the Union Savings and Loan at 353 Carondelet.

The Lee Circle branch of the National American Bank building was razed in 2007. The site remains vacant. [see: demolition photos by Laureen Lentz]

[photo: Moise Goldstein Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, Tulane University Libraries]

Orleans Nouveau

H. Jordan MacKenzie, a native of California arrived in New Orleans c. 1901 and initially worked in the office of Thomas Sully. By 1906 he had joined forces with the young Moise H. Goldstein. At a time when Beaux Arts classicism ruled, MacKenzie and Goldstein built a strikingly "non-classical" house for a Mr. Paramore at 1591 Exposition Boulevard in 1907.* 

The deep curvature of the cornice, muscular lines of the door frame, and smooth stucco exterior are typical of the Art Nouveau movement, but also may be attributed to a Spanish Mission influence via California. In the Daily Picayune of August 31, 1907, MacKenzie himself described the house as being "in the secession style."** 

MacKenzie admired the work of Joseph Olbrich, one of the founders of the Secessionist movement. The Paramore House bears strong resemblance to the Olbrich's Habich House in the Darmstadt artist colony, built in 1900. Like the Habich House, the Paramore House originally featured a roof terrace, as seen in the vintage photo.***

* John Ferguson, "Mysterious Mr. MacKenzie left his mark," New Orleans States-Item, October 2, 1982
** Friends of the Cabildo, New Orleans Architecture vol. VIII
*** Architectural Art and its Allies, June 1908, Southeastern Architectural Archive