River District celebrates start of first vertical project – Shell Gulf of America Headquarters

Written By Alicia Vial

Governor Jeff Landry and local partners laud this milestone in economic growth for Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS – The River District Neighborhood Investors (RDNI) are thrilled to congratulate partners Cypress Equities and Lauricella Land Company on the groundbreaking of the first new Class-A office tower to be constructed in New Orleans since 1989, a building slated to be the future home to Shell’s Gulf of America headquarters. The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Authority (the Authority) selected RDNI to develop the property in 2018 and serves as the landlord. The groundbreaking, which was announced earlier this month, marks the first vertical to begin construction at the River District.

Located at 1600 Convention Center Boulevard, the new headquarters will be a central landmark of the new 39-acre mixed-use neighborhood adjacent to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. RDNI is joined by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, New Orleans City Councilmember Lesli Harris, the Authority and partners across the state in celebrating the continued progress, transforming one of New Orleans’ last pieces of vacant riverfront land into a hub of commerce, trade and culture.

“I was very excited and pleased to hear about the groundbreaking of the new Shell headquarters building at the River District Neighborhood-New Orleans Convention Center,” said Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry. “This building represents the type of Louisiana investment and growth potential that we have been advocating for since my election. Congratulations to all parties on this important milestone." 

Colette Hirstius, Sr. Vice President for Gulf of America Operations at Shell said, “It is exciting to see work underway to lay the foundation of our future in the Gulf of America. This new development underscores Shell’s commitment to Louisiana’s importance as the center of innovation and energy security for generations to come.”

Anchored by key commercial tenants like Shell, the River District is expected to generate $43 million of net new annual tax revenues and more than $1 billion in economic activity. The new neighborhood will feature a mixed-use environment, including offices and residential areas with affordable and workforce housing complemented with entertainment venues, cultural centers, retail, dining and public green space.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside our partners to make this project a reality,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris. “Breaking ground on the first vertical development at the River District is a major milestone for New Orleans. This project will create jobs, boost our economy and transform this area in meaningful ways. I look forward to seeing the continued progress and the benefits it will bring to our community.”

Since the River District development launched construction work in 2023, it has made significant progress on extensive infrastructure improvements and installed a district-wide stormwater management system, one of the largest in the state. Looking ahead, RDNI plans to include a large, centrally located park, a resilient power grid, next-generation digital infrastructure and green spaces.

“This is a great day for the City of New Orleans and one that the Authority is excited to see come to fruition,” said Russ Allen, Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority President. “The presence of a major company like Shell is a tangible sign for what the Authority envisioned for the River District. It will attract further investment, creating high-quality jobs that will drive lasting economic prosperity for New Orleans and the state of Louisiana."

“We echo the Governor’s comments and welcome Shell as our anchor tenant at the River District,” said Louis Lauricella, Managing Partner of Lauricella Land Company and Co-Managing Member of the River District consortium. “We thank Governor Landry and his administration for their encouragement and support. Their commitment to New Orleans and the River District should serve as a benchmark for other corporations considering expansion and growth in the Crescent City.”

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About River District Neighborhood Investors LLC (RDNI):
River District Neighborhood Investors is a diverse group of partners with deep local roots, all accomplished mixed-use and residential developers with local, regional and national experience, unparalleled reputations and strong financial results. The team was selected by the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority to develop a mixed-use community with best-in-class sidewalks, bike paths and green spaces. The River District will revitalize this 39-acre tract of vacant land along the riverfront as an energetic hub of commerce, trade, culture, history and community. For information visit www.riverdistrictnola.com.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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