The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center opened a new 40,000sqft event venue in May 2025 – for private events, corporate functions and community programming. Having acquired the venue earlier this year, venue operators have now finished renovations and are taking bookings. The venue is called The Warehouse at the Convention Center, and was formerly known as the Sugar Mill.
How many can it accommodate? The venue features a 25,000sqft main floor and a 15,000sqft landscaped courtyard. Indoor capacity can reach more than 4,000 guests, while the combined indoor and outdoor space can accommodate up to 6,500 people.
New Orleans Sugar Mill entranceThe Warehouse is located directly across from the Convention Center in downtown New Orleans. It has undergone interior updates and added energy-efficient lighting as part of recent renovations. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center acquired the venue earlier this year and now oversees its operations and programming.
Now taking bookings through 1 April The venue targets clientele seeking customisable event spaces. The space offers space for many different types of clientele, including local cultural groups, nonprofits and convention clients. Bookings are being accepted now through 1 April 2026. The NOENMCC plans to host events through Mardi Gras 2026.
The launch adds to the Convention Center’s existing footprint. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center features 1.1m sqft of exhibition space on one level and is tied for the sixth-largest convention centre in the United States. The facility recently achieved LEED Gold certification, making it the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana.
Port of New OrleansA wider development plan The Warehouse also represents a broader downtown development. The venue sits within the Warehouse Arts District, an area that has transformed from its industrial origins into what some developers have called the “SoHo of the South.” The district houses art galleries, museums, jazz clubs and James Beard award-winning restaurants.
“Adding The Warehouse at the Convention Center to our portfolio of event space extends exciting options to our existing clients, while we extend our award-winning service to the multitude of clients who have used the Sugar Mill for the past 20+ years,” said Alita Caparotta, NOENMCC interim president and CEO.
The venue’s reopening comes as New Orleans continues expanding its event infrastructure. The Convention Center has been implementing improvements including new electric vehicle charging stations and a multi-modal transportation centre to improve accessibility for event attendees.
Event planners and organisations can find booking information, availability details and venue specifications at www.mccno.com/planners/special-spaces
