05/19/2026
Breaking news from nola.com—Tulane steps back from student housing project that would have demolished Ted's Frostop
By Stephanie Riegel and Jonah Meadows
https://www.nola.com/news/business/tulane-frostop-robert-student-housing/article_8c82b298-9a52-48d0-bdd5-09532d70dbe7.html
Tulane University is backing away from its involvement in a student housing development along Claiborne Avenue that would have involved demolishing the 71-year-old Ted's Frostop, a beloved local diner.
In a statement Monday, Tulane spokesperson Michael Strecker said the university is "pausing its potential involvement" in the project, a planned three-story complex with 39 apartments, bedrooms for 160 students, a parking garage and ground-floor space for a new Frostop.
“We need to further evaluate questions related to zoning, design and community engagement,” the statement said. “It became clear during this process that the project, although not being developed by Tulane, has not met our standards for community engagement, and that several open questions need to be addressed for us to be comfortable moving forward.”
"Our intent was to explore a project that could support the long-term viability of a local business while thoughtfully expanding the availability of housing in proximity to campus," the statement said.
The project faced sharp public criticism after Tulane confirmed in March that it was working with members of the Robert family, owners of the Robert Fresh Market grocery chain, who had purchased the Frostop property and surrounding lots and were developing the project through a separate real estate company.
In April, the city's Historic District Landmarks Commission denied the developers' request to demolish the diner to make way for the new building after a public hearing at which dozens of neighbors spoke out against the proposed complex.
Though the planned project included ground-floor space for a new Ted's Frostop and incorporated the diner's historic signage into the exterior, the HDLC said it was a "rare example of mid-century modern commercial design" and should be salvaged.
It is unclear what will happen to the building and the restaurant, both of which are owned by the Roberts, or two other vacant commercial buildings that were also slated for demolition to make way for the project.
In a prepared statement, Matt Robert said the developers were "taking additional time for neighborhood outreach as we refine our design and development plans."
He added that they'll be "evaluating the long-term viability" of the diner.
Concerns from Council member
Frostop, which started out in the 1920s as a chain of root beer stands, came to New Orleans in the mid-1950s, courtesy of Ted Sternberg, a New Orleanian who opened the first location shortly after returning from a tour of duty in the Korean War.
The iconic mug would become a symbol of New Orleans' resilience after Hurricane Katrina, when it was toppled and remained upside down in the parking lot for years. It was finally restored and reinstalled in 2012 after Sternberg, who died in 2014, sold the business to new owners.
Though much of the recent outcry over the proposed project centered on the demolition of the neighborhood diner, neighbors also raised pointed concerns about traffic and disruption the project could bring.
Some also took issue with what they saw as an expansion by Tulane across South Claiborne Avenue and by what they perceived to be a lack of transparency over the project.
Tulane, which has long been in the crosshairs of its near neighbors over student housing and land-use disputes, sought to distance itself from the controversy, noting that it was not the developer.
But as the planned master tenant, it bore the brunt of community ire.
Late Monday, District A Councilmember Aimee McCarron said she shared those concerns and opposes the project, at least for now.
“My first priority in any land-use request is consideration of adjacent and near neighbors, and how they will be impacted by the request. In this case, dozens of residents expressed concern about the noise, traffic, and safety impacts of a large-scale residential development along a state highway," she said.
She added, "Since this project was first brought to my attention, I have been very clear about the need to satisfy reasonable concerns and provide guarantees on the length of Tulane's lease, as well as who exactly will reside in the development. Without those guarantees, I cannot support the project."
In its statement Monday Tulane said during the pause the university would work with the developer to "reexamine the project’s scope, design, and engagement process. We remain committed to a thoughtful and transparent process moving forward."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD
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The City Of NOLA
NOLA City Council
Tulane University
CCA NOLA
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community
Tulane is stepping back from its planned involvement in a new student housing complex that would have meant the demolition of Ted's Frostop. It's unclear what happens now.
