VergesRome Architects | New Orleans Architectural Firm

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Resource Bank

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects served as Architect of Record for Resource Bank’s main Southshore location, an 18,000 SF new construction branch strategically located at the high-visibility corner of Tchoupitoulas Street. This relocation from Downtown New Orleans marks a significant expansion of the bank’s presence, with this building serving both its commercial client banking and commercial lending divisions.

Designed to echo the industrial aesthetic of the surrounding warehouse neighborhood near the Port of New Orleans, the building’s material palette—brick cladding, expansive glazing, and masonry details—pays homage to the historic fabric of the area. Our goal was to craft a structure that feels contemporary yet contextually respectful, fitting seamlessly within the corridor of masonry buildings that buffer the Uptown Historic District from the industrial riverfront.

The interior features a dramatic central atrium with terrazzo flooring, a custom chandelier, and a prominent open stair connecting public-facing functions with executive spaces above. On the banking side, the program includes six private offices for the lending team and three for the branch staff. A penthouse-level boardroom offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River and serves as a dedicated meeting space.

Two upper floors were designed for future tenant occupancy. A local dental practice seized the opportunity to buildout their new offices on the second level, also designed by VergesRome. The third floor is designed as an office space. A two-lane drive-thru, finished with a hipped metal canopy and accent brackets, offers banking convenience while mirroring the architectural language of the main building.

The site, once a vacant lot, now supports stormwater management through permeable paving in the parking areas. Close coordination with the client throughout the design and construction process ensured the final result was aligned with their operational needs and long-term vision. The project also required engagement with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), as the site borders the Uptown New Orleans National Historic District.


Hancock Whitney Bank, Lakeside Branch

Lakeside Shopping Center

Metairie, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects developed the new branch prototype design for Hancock Whitney Bank. The building design is flexible in size to allow the building to be modified depending on the program for the site. The first branch that was built is in Metairie, Louisiana on Causeway Boulevard. 

The building contains 2,829 square feet and includes 5 private offices, 4 tellers, and a conference room. There are also 3 drive up lanes, a drive-up ATM and a walk-up ATM. There is a provision to add a second drive up ATM. 

The interior walls of the branch are built with DIRTT walls to allow for easy modification in the future, with little disruption to the operation of the bank. 


Pan American Life Center IberiaBank Atrium

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome, facility architect for the 28-story Pan American Life Center in the New Orleans CBD, was commissioned to redesign the seven-story atrium situated on Floors 21 through 27. 

The program’s criteria were creation of a gathering space for Iberia Bank’s employees to enjoy lunch or breaks, and for hosting special after-hours events. VRA added a monumental stair of glass and steel for easy access from an upper floor to the heart of the space. Materials of weathered wood flooring integrated with turf and carpet systems reflect and connect to the outdoors. The new kitchen and conference room design correspond to the atrium finishes and design. Retractable Nana Wall glass wall systems that separate the kitchen and conference room from the atrium when closed can open to the atrium and adjacent spaces.