The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center board on Wednesday unanimously approved a new design for a $600 million “headquarters” hotel, marking a milestone for a project that has been in planning for decades but repeatedly reshaped in scope, location, height, and cost. The roughly 350-foot tower would rise at the edge of the historic Warehouse District and is scheduled to open in 2030 if it secures the required city approvals.

The vote included an additional $10 million in direct Convention Center investment, bringing the agency’s total cash commitment to $80 million. Convention Center CEO Jim Cook said the extra funds replace the previously anticipated purchase of the Mississippi River Heritage Park, which will no longer be part of the hotel footprint.

The center has already spent $21 mi

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