A MASTERCLASS in PRESERVATION & DESIGN WITH NEW ORLEANS’ ENDURING SPIRIT
Preserving the soul and stories of a living landmark, while honoring 140 years of architecture with elevated design, timeless hospitality, and modern comfort
Produced by Jassen Pintado
Wrttien by Rebecca Diaz-Castrejon
Creative Direction
Omar Rodríguez
Interviewee
Jayson Seidman, CEO of The Columns
A NEW STEWARD FOR A TIMELESS LANDMARK
When The Columns changed hands in 2019, its new owner approached the storied property not as a developer, but as a guardian. Guided by a deep respect for its 140-year legacy, Jason Seidman saw his role as one of protection and preservation rather than reinvention. “While I may be an owner and an operator and the mind behind this chapter of The Columns, this hotel has been here a lot longer than I have or we have,” he says. “And for me, it’s always about being essentially a good steward.”
That sense of stewardship has shaped every decision Seidman has made, from maintaining the structure’s
original character to honoring the generations of memories made within its walls. He sees The Columns not only as an architectural gem, but as a living space filled with stories of weddings, first jobs, and unforgettable nights that connect New Orleanians and travelers alike.
As The Columns celebrates its renewed chapter, Seidman reflects on his dual mission to preserve the property’s soul and elevate its experience for a new generation. With its perfect blend of heritage, hospitality, and human touch, The Columns stands as both a testament to New Orleans’ resilience and to the business of emotion that Seidman has mastered.
Jayson Seidman
• Founder & Managing Partner: Sandstone, Drifter Hotels, The Basic®
• Education: Tulane University (BA), NYU (MS in Real Estate Finance & Sustainable Development), Columbia University (Graduate Studies in Architecture & Urban Planning)
• Portfolio Highlights: Hotel Saint Vincent, The Drifter, The Columns, East Austin Hotel, Thunderbird Marfa, The Basic Marfa, Hotel Ranch Motel
• Recent Openings: Hotel Henrietta (New Orleans), Fives Bar & Oyster Restaurant (Jackson Square)
WHERE HISTORY LIVES AND STORIES ENDURE
Originally constructed in 1883 as a private residence, The Columns has lived many lives, from family residence, to a boarding house, to a hotel. Its evolution mirrors the city’s own resilience. Today’s Columns stand as a layered testament to New Orleans’ architectural legacy, defined by transformation rather than stasis. Over the decades, storms and time have reshaped its silhouette. Once a Queen Anne Victorian designed by architect Thomas Sully, it later emerged in a striking Greek Revival style, grand, columned, and unmistakably Southern. The building’s current incarnation reflects those eras coexisting in harmony, a visual reminder that history is not something to be frozen in time, but to be carried forward.
PRESERVATION, NOT RESTORATION
Seidman’s approach to revitalizing The Columns is rooted in restraint. Rather than restoring the property to a single historical moment, his vision
embraces every layer of its past. “I like preservation, not restoration,” he explains. “I didn’t want to restore this building like it was still the 1880s. I wanted to preserve all of the eras in which it has existed.”
That philosophy guided a thoughtful transformation of the hotel, one focused on revealing beauty rather than adding more. Seidman describes
the process as an “exercise in subtraction.” By removing clutter, opening space, and allowing light and materials to breathe, The Columns regained its natural balance: grand but unpretentious, historic yet alive.
ARCHITECTURE AND MODERN AMENITIES
The Columns’ architecture continues to captivate visitors from the moment
they arrive. Its sweeping front gallery, lined with iconic Corinthian columns, remains one of the most photographed facades in New Orleans. Inside, the original woodwork, stained glass, and plaster details coexist with a subtle layer of modern refinement, one that enhances comfort without compromising authenticity.
From the 19 distinct guest rooms to the newly refreshed bar and garden terrace, every space is a dialogue between past and present. “Our goal
was to make the building feel like it’s breathing again,” says Seidman. “We wanted the old bones to shine, but with the conveniences and thoughtfulness guests expect today.”
Behind the elegance lies thoughtful design: discreet climate systems, restored flooring, updated fixtures, and artisanal craftsmanship that feels contemporary yet timeless. The result is a property that honors its 19thcentury grandeur while fully embracing 21st-century hospitality.
HIDDEN GEMS AND GATHERING SPACES
Beyond its iconic façade, The Columns’ true magic unfolds in its hidden corners: the marble-topped bar that hums with conversation, the back porch where the city’s pulse meets the rustle of the oak trees, and the garden terrace that bridges locals and travelers in equal measure. Here, guests don’t just visit; they participate in a living tradition of connection that defines New Orleans itself.
But beyond the architecture, The
Columns’ true gem is its famous porch, a gathering place that has shaped generations of New Orleans life. Rain or shine, locals and travelers alike sip cocktails, share stories, and watch the city drift by. The porch, Seidman says, is where The Columns truly comes alive: a space of laughter, reflection, and community that transcends time. “The Columns has always been about bringing people together,” says Seidman. “It’s a meeting place, not just for
New Orleans, but for people from everywhere who feel at home here.”
Walk through The Columns and you’ll find treasures at every turn, from hand-painted frescoes that frame the bar’s perimeter to the original chandeliers that have glowed there since its days as a private residence. “Probably the biggest elements that I’m most proud of are the light fixtures and the original chandeliers that are in
the bar,” Seidman says. “They’ve been there the entire time.”
THE ESSENCE OF HOME
Despite its grandeur, The Columns remains deeply personal and inviting. Guests are greeted not with the polish of a chain hotel, but with the warmth of a historic home. Every door, wall, and opening was preserved to maintain the house’s original flow and intimacy.
“The idea is that you feel like you’re living in a space that’s been living — that’s been around for a long time,” says Seidman. “You pick up on the smells of the mahogany, the beauty of the landscaping, the plants, the vegetation — it’s all meant to feel lush, warm, welcoming, and comfortable.”
That living, breathing quality makes The Columns more than a hotel; it’s an experience of New Orleans itself —
layered, fragrant, and full of history you can feel.
THE ART OF HOSPITALITY
At The Columns, beauty and design are only part of the equation. True luxury, Seidman believes, lies in warmth, service, and sensory experience. “It’s one thing to be very pretty and very designed, but if that’s all you’re doing, I don’t think you’re
- Jayson Seidman, CEO of The Columns
“I’m all about preserving the soul, the energy and the stories The property has existed since 1883, and I just love hearing more and more from people around the world who have a connection to The Columns”
- Jayson Seidman, CEO of The Columns
doing your job,” he says. “It needs to complete the circle of good design meets awakening of your senses — sight, smell, taste, good service, good hospitality, warmth, be kind.”
This philosophy has earned The Columns continued acclaim, including back-to-back Michelin Keys in 2024 and 2025. Yet beyond the accolades, what defines the property is its ability to make guests feel at home — to exist in a space that honors history while celebrating the human connection at the heart of hospitality.
COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, AND CULTURE
For Seidman, preserving The Columns also means honoring its role as a cultural hub. “That’s usually our core focus,” he says. “Hotels that are less of a hotel and more of a place for the locals.” From the new Avenue Room Café, a daytime gathering spot designed with New Orleanians in mind — to collaborations with local boutiques like St. Claude Social Club, the property is designed to feel lived-
in and loved by its community.
Local artists, musicians, and makers find a home here too, continuing The Columns’ legacy as a space where art, history, and hospitality meet. “We work a lot with local artists, retail boutiques, and people that we feel are important,” Seidman explains. “But I also don’t want it to be hyper-local. I want it to feel storied, traveled. That’s the story of New Orleans.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE COLUMNS
Looking ahead, Seidman’s vision for The Columns is rooted in continuity rather than reinvention. “For us, it’s all about just continuing traditions and not trying to be anything more than a classic property that is reliable and comfortable for people,” he says.
Beyond its walls, the spirit of The Columns now extends into sister projects like Hotel Henrietta, named after the sister of Simon Hernsheim, who built The Columns in 1883, and Fives, a bar in the French Quarter inspired by Hernsheim’s tobacco
“It
good hospitality, warmth, be kind”
- Jayson Seidman, CEO of The Columns
legacy. Together, these ventures form a network of properties connected by shared storytelling and a deep love for New Orleans.
For Seidman, this is more than business, it’s legacy. “It’s a family property, a legacy asset that will continue to give people an understanding of what I’m about,” he says. “It’s not too buttoned up, just the right amount of relaxed, a place where everyone feels in a lived space.”
HISTORY:
Built in 1883 as a private residence; Turned into a hotel in 1953; In 2019 sold to Jayson Seidman and his family
INDUSTRY: Hospitality CONTACT: thecolumns.com guestservices@thecolumns.com
