Artist converts century-old gas station into home

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Artist converts century-old gas station into home

Well, last week flew by before I knew what had happened (appointments and whatnot I'd rather not have had to attend will do that) and now this week's nearly half gone, all with nary a peep from me!  Sorry about that!  Maybe I could do with a break staying in the subject of this post...

Starting life in 1918 as a city centre petrol station this building in New Orleans serviced cars for 50-odd years before going through a variety of uses such as furniture shop and jewellers before eventually falling into disrepair.  It was put up for sale in 2003, which was when this local artist chappy stepped in.  Over the next ten years, through flood, sweat and tears(!) he has comprehensively renovated it into the remarkable home you see in these pictures & articles.

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Artist Robert Guthrie transforms a regular Mid-City gas station into a premium residence

Featuring some wonderful period æsthetics and motoring-related ephemera, brilliantly complemented with some modern touches such as open-plan layouts and 21st-century appliances, this old petrol station has gained a whole new lease of life as a private residence and one that has been incredibly well-converted to make the most of its history.  Not to mention saved from the wrecker's ball, a fate that befell so many other stations of the era it seems.  Now its future in its original New Orleans neighbourhood is assured.

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This has obviously been very much a labour of love for Mr Guthrie, who it seems intends - quite rightly - to enjoy his new home to the full.  It doesn't end there though, for it appears that he also rents it out as a guest house for tourists.  What a splendid wheeze!  Quite a unique place to stay during your visit to New Orleans, eh?  I shall have to remember it if I ever find myself in the Crescent City.  In the meantime I'm just delighted to see another piece of American motoring-cum-architectural history saved in such a unique manner.