re: NOLANOLA's Memory Lane... Weekend plans in NOLA 1988 Edition

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They had to raze several residential blocks for the site, and there was a lot of public opposition.

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Pretty sure that the "residential blocks" were an undeveloped area that was zoned residential (maybe even multifamily residential, like the adjacent Gatehouse Apartments) and I think with some 'paper' streets that were not built yet.

You are right, there was a LOT of opposition mostly from Metairie residents in the immediate area south of the Galleria worried about height (skyscrapers looming over their neighborhood) and traffic concerns. I remember a lot of yard signage back then with the simple phrase, "Galleria - NO!".

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Original concept included six towers, but was pared down to just the one.

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If I remember correctly (I was in college at the time) the whole six tower development plan WAS approved by the Parish, but the oil bust in the late 80s put the kibosh on full-build out of the project.

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I remember reading about the other buildings. If you look at it from interstate you can clearly see how the garage was never completely finished off.

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That portion has ALWAYS bugged me. Don't mind the back portion being developed as small scale Residence Inn type motels, as no one sees them from the interstate. But that front side on I-10 just looks BAD. Instead of putting on glass panels to match the east and west sides, it's stucco painted with gray and black stripes to (sort of) match.

I still have hope the owners can build that northern-most phase on the empty land in front of the garage, or at least a free-standing building high enough to hide it.

By the way, I can see the Galleria tower in the distance from a certain angle in my back yard, and think it's pretty cool that I can.