Gayle Benson buys the iconic Windsor Court hotel, plans to spend millions on renovations

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The Windsor Court Hotel, the downtown New Orleans high-rise that has hosted presidents, pop stars and British royalty, has been purchased by New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson, the latest addition to her growing portfolio of downtown real estate. Benson, who also owns three Poydras Street skyscrapers, three properties on Harmony Circle and the Hyatt Regency near the Caesars Superdome, said she plans to spend millions renovating the Windsor Court over the next two years. She finalized a deal for a majority-share of the hotel on Friday from Dallas-Based Crow Holdings, which has been the majority owner since 2009. A price was not disclosed, but hospitality industry sources say the hotel is likely valued at more than $100 million given its reputation, luxury amenities and the price of other recent downtown hotel sales. Benson, who declined to comment on the sale price, said she bought the hotel because she has always loved it, noting that the purchase represents her confidence in the city’s future as a premier destination for leisure travel, business and major events.

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This hotel helps us attract more visitors to the city,” Benson said by phone earlier this month. “I think when tourists come here and see this beautiful hotel, they will want to come back. Especially once we finish the upgrades.”

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The hotel is phenomenal already,” said Benson, who worked as an interior designer earlier in her career. “I look forward to getting in there and making it even more beautiful than it already is.” The deal comes as the 42-year-old Windsor Court faces fresh competition from the city’s newest luxury hotel, the Four Seasons, which opened in 2021.

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The Windsor Court is the latest of several significant real estate acquisitions by Benson. In September, she purchased the 36-story high rise at 909 Poydras St. known as BankPlus Tower, adding to a portfolio that already included 1515 Poydras, the Benson Tower and the Benson Annex. That deal came on the heels of her purchase in July of the Taylor Building, the former Circle Bar and a vacant lot, all on St. Charles Avenue fronting Harmony Circle. She also owns the Mercedes Benz Van Center on Poydras, is a co-owner of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and, since 2021 has owned the commercial real estate firm Corporate Realty.

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