STR Clarity at The Alexandre
Commercial STR Ownership in New Orleans, Explained Clearly.
If you’ve spent any time researching short-term rentals in New Orleans lately, you’ve probably run into the same problem everyone else has:
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Nobody seems to have the same answer.
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One website says commercial STRs are impossible. Another says permits are still being issued. An old YouTube video explains laws that no longer exist. Even AI-generated summaries are pulling conflicting information.
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Meanwhile, buyers are trying to answer a very practical question:
Can I still legally purchase and operate a commercial STR in New Orleans?
The short answer is yes.
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The longer answer is that the process has become nuanced, timing-sensitive, and highly dependent on understanding what already exists versus what someone is trying to create from scratch.
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That distinction matters.
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And that’s exactly why we created this page.​
Your Questions Answered
Why We Hosted a STR Clarity event at The Alexandre
We currently represent multiple legal commercial STR residences at The Alexandre at 336 Camp Street in downtown New Orleans.
Over the past year, we kept hearing the same concerns from buyers:
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“I heard these can’t be done anymore.”
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“I thought permits stopped.”
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“Can you actually still buy one legally?”
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“What happens when ownership changes?”
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“What’s real and what’s rumor?”
And honestly?
We understood the confusion.
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So instead of pretending to have all the answers ourselves, we gathered the people actively navigating this process right now.
Cool Murphy Real Estate and Hospitality New Orleans hosted a focused conversation at The Alexandre alongside:
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Ron Loesel, Zach Smith Consulting
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Crescent Title
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Big Easy Management
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Book NOLA
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property managers, operators, investors, and buyers currently working in this space
The goal was simple:
Not hype.
Not speculation.
Clarity.
What We Learned
Yes, Existing Legal Commercial STRs Still Exist.
And yes, there is currently still a path for buyers to purchase and continue operating existing compliant commercial STR properties in New Orleans.
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One of the biggest misconceptions right now is that all STR pathways disappeared.
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That is not accurate.
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What is accurate is that:
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the process has become more manual
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ownership transitions require attention to detail
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existing compliant inventory matters more than ever
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and understanding the current landscape requires current information, not recycled assumptions from years ago
As regulations continue evolving, existing legal commercial STR inventory has become increasingly difficult to create from scratch.
That makes existing compliant inventory especially important.
Existing Inventory Matters
One of the clearest takeaways from the discussion was this:
The simplest path into commercial STR ownership right now is generally through existing compliant commercial STR inventory.
That’s a meaningful distinction.
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The Alexandre is not a speculative conversion or hypothetical future concept.
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It is an existing hospitality property with:
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established operational history
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future reservations already in place in many units
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experienced local management relationships
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elevator access
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secure keypad entry
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individually metered residences
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and a current pathway for continued commercial STR operation
Owners may also enjoy personal use of their residence while independently selecting future management after purchase.
Why The Alexandre Works
Positioned at 336 Camp Street between the French Quarter and Warehouse District, The Alexandre sits half a block from the Quarter with immediate access to:
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the St. Charles streetcar line
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the Convention Center corridor
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Caesars Superdome
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Wednesday at the Square
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major parade routes
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downtown dining and nightlife
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conferences, festivals, and business travel destinations
That combination matters.
The location consistently appeals to both business and leisure travelers, creating broad guest demand throughout the year rather than reliance on a single tourism cycle.
The building also includes ground-floor retail including leather goods retailer House of ox And Rob and Drip Affogato Bar.
Got Questions?
If you’re trying to understand whether commercial STR ownership in New Orleans still has a viable path for you, we’re happy to point you toward current resources and people actively working in this space.
Presented by Cool Murphy Real Estate + Hospitality New Orleans with Ron Loesel, Zach Smith Consulting