Hancock Whitney Center, the 51-story office tower at 701 Poydras Street in New Orleans’ Central Business District, remains the tallest building in New Orleans and the tallest building in Louisiana. The tower rises 697 feet and has been a defining part of the city’s skyline since it opened in 1972.

Originally known as One Shell Square, the building became a major corporate address tied to Shell’s long presence in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast energy industry. Its completion marked a turning point for downtown development, as Poydras Street grew into one of the city’s most important business corridors.

The building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the International Style, with a clean rectangular form, white exterior grid and bronze-tinted glass. Its exterior is known for Italian travertine limestone and bronze glass, giving the tower a distinct look compared with darker glass office buildings in other cities.

The tower was renamed Hancock Whitney Center in 2018 after Hancock Whitney moved major operations into the building. The property is owned and managed by Hertz Investment Group and remains an active Class-A office building with ground-level retail space.

Hancock Whitney Center also carries historic significance. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name, One Shell Square, reflecting its role in New Orleans’ modern commercial and architectural history.

The building continues to be a key property to watch in the downtown office market. Like many large office towers, it faces a changing leasing environment shaped by hybrid work, tenant downsizing and financing pressure, but its scale, location and long-standing height record keep it central to New Orleans commercial real estate.

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