Valentino New Orleans Hotels has purchased the 200-room Maison Dupuy at the corner of Toulouse and Burgundy streets in the French Quarter, acquiring the property from the estate of developer Joe Jaeger, who had owned and operated the hotel for nearly a decade. The deal closed earlier this month, with terms not disclosed.
The Valentino family plans to spend an estimated $13 million on a complete renovation of the hotel, covering new furniture, fixtures and equipment in guest rooms and common areas, along with upgrades to the restaurant, offices, and mechanical and HVAC systems. The hotel will close entirely during the six-month construction period, with ownership concluding that continuing operations during the work was not practical.
When it reopens in 2027, the property will operate under Hilton’s Curio Collection flag, an upscale brand for boutique and full-service hotels in unique or historic settings. Chris Valentino, who owns the portfolio along with his father Michael and sister Emily, said the goal is to avoid the look of a standard interstate Hilton property given the building’s French Quarter character.
The renovation will also bring changes to the hotel’s dining concept. The restaurant, currently operating as the Creole-focused Bistreaux, previously ran as Dominique’s under chef Dominique Maquet in the late 1990s and early 2000s before he went on to open several Uptown bistros. The Valentinos said they intend to bring a notable, upscale restaurant brand back into the space.
Maison Dupuy was built in 1971 and was the last free-standing hotel constructed from the ground up in the French Quarter before a city ordinance banned new hotel construction in the historic district. The property includes a below-grade parking garage for 85 vehicles and a courtyard pool, and has been a popular venue for weddings and events. Jaeger had purchased the hotel in 2017 as part of his J Collection portfolio, which at its peak included roughly 20 hotels and resorts concentrated in the French Quarter and downtown.
Local hotel broker Len Wormer of Hospitality Real Estate Counselors described the acquisition as a strong investment opportunity, citing the property’s parking garage, food-and-beverage potential, and easy access into the French Quarter. He said the Hilton Curio rebrand should help drive occupancy and room rates by tapping into Hilton’s loyalty program base. Michael Valentino said the family’s existing French Quarter hotels are currently averaging occupancy in the mid-70% range, which he characterized as steady but with room to grow.
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