The St. Charles Hotel was designed by James Gallier and is located on St. Charles Ave. This is important since it was the first large building outside the prominent area that ended at Canal Street. It was a grand Greek Revival building completed in 1837. The hotel brought prominence to the area, growing its wealth and culture. There were six Corinthian columns on the façade, skirted with marble steps and topped with a dome. At the time the dome was only smaller than the Capitol in Washington. In the dome was a gallery surrounded by ionic columns and a view of the city. The hotel was destroyed by a fire in 1851 and rebuilt with almost an identical appearance. It was modernized and enlarged to accommodate more guests. In 1894 it burned again and was rebuilt with a Breaux Arts appearance famous for its lit mezzanine. In 1974 it was demolished and later replaced by Place St Charles tower in 1984.

The original architecture was grand and drew not only wealth and elegance, but also the culture of the city as an expanding site. It became a stop for all notable city visitors and events such as Mardi Gras. It built what became the American Sector of New Orleans. Gallier used the power of architecture to bring people together, promote the city and commerce, and produce something that the locals make into something so grand it can only be experienced there.