Gourmet hamburger restaurant planned for Magazine Street in N.O.

New Orleans CityBusiness, Apr 3, 2008 by Emilie Bahr

Charcoal, a two-story, 6,300-square-foot gourmet hamburger restaurant, is slated to be built at the intersection of Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue.

Craig Walker Jr. and Blaine Prestenbach, 20-somethings who met in college at the University of New Orleans, acquired the property at 2200 Magazine St. - a vacant lot now overgrown with weeds - six months ago for $300,000, Walker said.

The pair has budgeted $1.1 million for construction of the project, a New Orleans-centric building designed by local architect Kimberly Finney that includes a brick facade, large windows and a wrap-around balcony.

If all goes as planned, Walker said construction could begin by the end of the month and the restaurant will open by the end of the year.

The City Planning Commission, the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, and, after some blueprint modifications including reducing the footprint of the building and added parking spaces, by members of the Garden District and Irish Channel neighborhood associations, Walker said.

The last procedural hurdle outstanding is approval by the City Council, which is expected to consider the project at an April 17 hearing. This final step is necessary thanks to the wine and beer Charcoal plans to include on its menu. A moratorium in place since early 2007 and set to extend at least through August prohibits new alcohol outlets along Magazine between Louisiana and Jackson avenues. Individual applicants, however, can appeal to the City Council. Based on conversations with neighborhood association leaders and City Councilwoman Stacy Head, Walker doesn't anticipate any problems.

"Everyone that we've come in contact with really wants us to be there," Walker said.

Head said she expected Charcoal's request to be approved.

"Development is needed in the area, parking is no problem, the proprietors convinced the neighbors that they will be good neighbors and an asset to the area," Head said.

Laura Shields, president of the Garden District Association, which supports the liquor license moratorium, said her group is enthusiastic about Charcoal.

"We're excited about having something right on that intersection that is pleasing and looks nice," she said. "It's the character that we want to see on Magazine Street."