Freret Forward: Growth and Community on One of Uptown’s Cherished Corridors

Lydia Cutrer
23 minutes ago
3 min read

Tiles spelling "FRERET" in bold blue letters with orange outlines, set on a concrete sidewalk. Background is gray and textured.

There’s a certain rhythm to Freret Street — the kind that hums from morning coffee runs to date nights, from longtime restaurants to new storefronts buzzing with life. Long known as a local favorite for dining, music, and neighborhood charm, Freret is once again proving that growth and community can move in step.

This weekend’s Freret Street Festival (Saturday, Nov. 1) is a perfect reflection of that spirit. With more than 200 local vendors, five music stages, and endless food and art, the festival brings neighbors, artists, and visitors together to celebrate everything that makes this corridor so uniquely New Orleans. The fest is November’s installment of The Freret Market, held the first Saturday of each month from October through June and featuring many of the same artists and vendors.

Revitalization with Roots

The energy along Freret isn’t new — it’s part of an ongoing story of thoughtful reinvestment that honors the area’s past while shaping its future.

At Freret and Napoleon, construction is underway on the former Our Lady of Lourdes campus. The long-anticipated Trader Joe’s, designed by MetroStudio, is rising on the school grounds and will complement the area’s historic architecture. Next door, The Josephine has opened in the beautifully restored 1920s church as one of the city’s newest venues for weddings, galas, and community events.

Nearby, Credit Human’s Financial Health Center, which opened in October 2024, brings a mission of financial education and empowerment to Uptown residents — and its reach continues to grow citywide. And for something a little sweeter, the first Louisiana location of Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls — owned by a local husband-and-wife team — has opened right on Freret, adding to the area’s lineup of destination-worthy eats.

Together, these projects tell a larger story: Freret isn’t just being redeveloped — it’s being reimagined with care.

Freret Community by the Numbers

Though its boundaries are compact (Napoleon Avenue to Jefferson Avenue and South Claiborne Avenue to LaSalle Street), Freret remains one of Uptown’s most sought-after enclaves for buyers who value architecture and accessibility.

As of September 2025:

· Closed Sales: 12 (↓7.7% year-over-year)

· New Listings: 23 (↓30.3%)

· Median Sales Price: $477,500 (↓7.3%)

· Citywide Median (New Orleans): $335,000 (flat year-over-year)

With limited inventory and strong local demand, Freret homes continue to command above-average values. The takeaway is simple: even with slower sales volume, buyers see lasting value in neighborhoods that blend history, convenience, and heart.

Culture and Connection

One of Freret’s oldest anchors, Freret Hardware, has served residents since 1938 — a reminder that sustainability and service have always been part of this neighborhood’s DNA.

Today, Freret continues to draw a mix of longtime residents, small business owners, and newcomers who value walkability, creativity, and connection. The Freret Street Festival captures that blend beautifully.

Beyond festival weekend, visitors can experience the neighborhood’s everyday rhythm: conversations flowing from café sidewalks, art murals telling stories of its history, and the steady pulse of small businesses that keep Freret both grounded and growing.