GMB Properties Acquires 314-Key Windsor Court Hotel in Downtown New Orleans

GMB Properties, led by Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, has acquired The Windsor Court, a 314-key luxury hotel in downtown New Orleans, JLL announced Nov. 5. JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group represented the sellers, The Berger Company and Crow Family Holdings, in the sale of the 23-story property at 300 Gravier St.

GMB Properties Takes Ownership of The Windsor Court

The Windsor Court occupies a location in the city's central business district and opened in 1984, ahead of that year's World's Fair. Benson acquired a majority interest in the hotel, while The Berger Company retained a minority stake and will remain involved in operations. The sale returns the hotel to local control after more than 17 years of ownership by The Berger Company and Crow Family Holdings.

The independent, brand-unencumbered hotel has been managed by Avion Hospitality since 2024.

"The Windsor Court has long been woven into the fabric of New Orleans and is the crown jewel of the city's lodging market," said Kevin Davis, Americas CEO of JLL Hotels & Hospitality. "The Berger Company and Crow Family Holdings have been exceptional stewards of this hotel, and we are pleased that the hotel is selling to a local owner who genuinely understands what the Windsor Court means to New Orleans and who is looking to continue its proud legacy."

Property Details and Amenities

The hotel has 314 guestrooms and suites, and more than 86% of its rooms are suites. It features five food-and-beverage venues: The Grill Room, The Polo Club, Le Salon, Last Sunday Coffee Bar and The Pool Bar. Other amenities include a full-service spa, a rooftop saltwater pool, a fitness center and a club lounge. The property also has more than 11,000 square feet of meeting and event space across eight venues, along with a penthouse presidential suite.

The property is known for a collection of museum-quality artwork and furnishings. During their ownership, The Berger Company and Crow Family Holdings funded multiple renovation programs covering guestrooms, public areas, meeting facilities, wellness amenities and the presidential suite. Prior projects included roughly $22 million in 2011 for guestrooms, the lounge and pool-area improvements, and roughly $15 million in 2018 for another guestroom renovation and the addition of a poolside bar. A 12,932-square-foot renovation in 2023 covered the pool, pool deck, meeting rooms and fitness center.

Location and Demand Drivers in New Orleans

The Windsor Court sits within walking distance of the French Quarter, the Warehouse District and the Mississippi River waterfront. Nearby demand drivers include Caesars New Orleans, the Audubon Aquarium, the National WWII Museum, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center. The location also provides access to major transportation corridors, Port NOLA cruise terminals and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

JLL said New Orleans benefits from demand generated by leisure travel, major conventions, cultural events and professional sports, supporting year-round visitation.

Planned Renovation and Market Context

Benson plans a comprehensive renovation that begins with guestrooms and expands to other areas of the hotel. The work is to be phased over the next two summers, with completion targeted for fall 2028.

The sale comes as New Orleans' hotel market normalizes after strong performance around the February 2025 Super Bowl. Average daily rate and revenue per available room corrected in year-to-date 2026 comparisons following the event, although average daily rate remained slightly above its 2024 year-end level. Occupancy remained stable in early 2026, supported by Mardi Gras and festival visitation.

JLL Hotels & Hospitality Team

The JLL Hotels & Hospitality team was led by Davis and Daniel Peek, Americas President, along with Director Connor Medzigian, Senior Director Carolina Bernal and Associate Carly Pomerantz.

The Berger Company is a privately owned real estate investment and development firm headquartered in New Orleans, with a portfolio consisting primarily of hospitality, retail and parking properties. Crow Holdings is a privately owned real estate investment and development firm headquartered in Dallas that manages more than $36 billion in assets.

Sources

JLL newsroom: https://www.jll.com/en-us/newsroom/jll-arranges-sale-of-the-windsor-court-new-orleans