The blue sign once again burns brightly atop the iconic building familiar to generations
of New Orleanians.  Designed in the Art Moderne style, the Blue Plate building features
curves instead of corners and presents a smooth, stream-lined appearance.
Blue Plate:  From Mayonnaise to Artist Lofts
It was constructed in 1941, sixteen years after Blue Plate Foods was founded.  Blue
Plate specialized in mayonnaise and sauces and made one of the first commercially
prepared mayonnaise products in the country and the first in the South.
Eventually, the company decided to consolidate operations and closed the factory's
doors.  The building went dark and so did the well-known sign.  But, that changed in 2011
when HRI Properties/JCH Development started a $25 million dollar renovation of the site.
Blue Plate Foods, 1970
For years, it was a staple in Southern kitchens.  The company went on to include other
products and was eventually purchased by Hunt-Wesson.  In 1974, Reily Foods bought
the company and continued to use the New Orleans plant for more than 25 years.
The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.  
The conversion from factory to loft-style apartments was completed in 2012, with a leasing
preference given to artists.  It's good to see the beautiful building put to good use and
heartening to see the familiar Blue Plate sign lighting the night sky.   -- Nancy
Above and below, Blue Plate Artist Lofts
Blue Plate Mayonnaise Billboard sign, Memphis, TN, 1940's
Some of the photos on this page are courtesy of Blue Plate Artist Lofts.


The link to this page is:
http://old-new-orleans.com/NO_Blue_Plate.html


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