The Batture occupies a historic stretch of Mississippi River batture long defined by New Orleans’ working waterfront. For much of the 20th century, the site operated as a Bisso Marine scrapyard, playing an active role in the river’s industrial economy. Ships and heavy equipment were dismantled and repurposed here, with structures and infrastructure purpose-built for durability, access, and direct engagement with the river itself.
The property’s utilitarian buildings, open yards, and reinforced edges reflect this industrial lineage—designed not for ornament, but for function at the water’s edge. Its location between the levee and the river placed it firmly within the physical and cultural batture, a landscape shaped as much by seasonal fluctuation as by human industry.
As maritime uses evolved and industrial operations receded, the site entered a new phase of stewardship. Today’s redevelopment preserves the scale, materials, and working character of the former Bisso Marine yard while reimagining the property’s relationship to the city. Historic structures are being rehabilitated and complemented by new construction that respects the site’s industrial DNA.
The Batture now represents a rare transformation of a former scrapyard into a publicly oriented, mixed-use riverfront destination—one that honors its working past while reopening a historically inaccessible stretch of the Mississippi to everyday life in New Orleans.
