Congratulations to Tom Lowenburg and Judith Lafitte, co-owners of Octavia Books, New Orleans, La., which is being honored with a 2025 Award of Excellence in Preservation from the Louisiana Landmarks Society for its historic renovation project. The project started in 2021 and included an expansion of the store to 4,500 square feet from 2,000.
According to the organization's citation: "A 129-year-old corner storefront was rehabilitated to unite a treasured bookstore and café while preserving its architectural integrity. Originally built in 1896 as P. Draube's Sons grocery and barroom, the structure underwent multiple renovations, including fire repairs in 1910 and an adaptive reuse project in 2000. The recent rehabilitation carefully integrated the historic masonry walls and wood ceilings with modern updates, ensuring all new elements could be removed without damaging the original structure. Key improvements included expanding the children's section, adding a built-in stage for events, and installing energy-efficient systems and permeable pavers for stormwater management. Thoughtful design solutions, such as pivoting bookcases, created a seamless connection between the businesses while maintaining the historic character of the space."
In addition to Octavia's owners, the rehabilitation team included NANO LLC, Artisan Millshop, Gibbs Construction, Huseman & Associates, Batture.