For over a century, the former Bywater Navy base has been a prominent landmark along the riverfront in New Orleans. After 92 years of military use and 14 years of uncertainty, the site’s future is now coming into focus as a mixed-use housing and retail development, anchored by a tech-innovation center.
A Complex History
The site, known by many names since its completion in 1919, is made up of three massive six-story warehouses, each 600 feet by 140 feet, and spans two addresses—4400 Dauphine Street and 600-700 Poland Avenue. It also has two waterfronts, facing both the Mississippi River and the Industrial Canal.
The facility’s history began unexpectedly during World War I. In 1914, the U.S. recognized a serious deficiency in its ability to transport supplies to coastal ports. As the Mississippi River is a crucial waterway, the Federal Barge Line was established to reignite river commerce. With its strategic location, New Orleans quickly became the focal point for the U.S. military’s logistics operations.
Securing a Strategic Location
In 1917, with the U.S. entering the war, the New Orleans Board of Trade lobbied to make the Port of New Orleans the site for the Army’s Quartermaster Supply Depot.
A quartermaster is responsible for logistics, ensuring military supplies reach the front lines efficiently. With its ideal location on the Mississippi River and access to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, New Orleans won the bid for this essential federal facility.
Building the Depot
The area that would house the new Quartermaster Depot was part of the 9th Ward, a sparsely populated area. The facility was built on land that had previously been part of the Ursuline Nuns’ convent and adjacent property.
The construction of three warehouses began in 1918, with 7,000 laborers working tirelessly to complete the massive 1.5 million-square-foot complex. The depots were designed for utilitarian and modernist functionality, with minimal adornment and reinforced concrete.
The warehouses were connected by railroad spurs, allowing easy transport of goods via barges and cargo ships. By the end of WWI, the facility was nearly complete, but the war’s end meant a shift in its purpose.
Postwar Changes and Adaptation
In the 1920s, the facility served as a storage space for military supplies but gradually shifted to civilian use, leasing space to businesses. The International Trade Exhibit, organized in the late 1920s, was held here, bringing together wholesalers and exporters from around the world and marking a turning point in New Orleans’ development as an international trade hub.
As the world entered World War II, the depot became an important Port of Embarkation, processing troops and cargo for military operations, particularly for troops heading to the Pacific and Caribbean theaters. The facility remained active through much of the 1940s, supporting the war effort.
Cold War and Navy Presence
By the mid-20th century, the facility’s role continued to evolve. After the war, the complex became the New Orleans Army Terminal and later the New Orleans Army Base.
In 1966, control was transferred to the U.S. Navy, and the site was renamed Naval Support Activity (NSA) East Bank. The complex became the headquarters for the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve, contributing significantly to local employment.
Despite the loss of the tropical fruit industry in the 1960s, which had operated nearby, the site remained a key part of Bywater’s economy.
Decline and Closure
In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended the closure of the NSA East Bank facility. By 2011, the base officially closed, marking the end of a military era in Bywater.
For the next decade, the site remained largely abandoned, with various development plans faltering due to budgetary issues and community concerns.
During this time, the Bywater neighborhood saw significant gentrification and economic growth, with rising property values and new amenities like Crescent Park.
A New Beginning: The NSA East Apartments
In the 2020s, the site found new life through a partnership with Brian Gibbs Development, LLC. The development, named the NSA East Apartments, will transform the historic warehouses into 294 affordable housing units, alongside 30,000 square feet of retail space. The centerpiece of the development will be the Newlab Innovation Hub, focusing on climate and energy technology startups.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the adaptive-reuse project took place in January 2023, with completion expected in 2028. This new development aims to create a vibrant, mixed-use hub, providing housing, retail opportunities, and a space for innovation while honoring the site’s rich history.
