In addition to thermal performance, the windows needed to meet the area's hurricane codes. To help the existing structure handle the fastener loads of these heavy-duty units, additional metal framing was required to reinforce the jambs without affecting the overall window sightline.

"The advanced research, partnership, design and testing allowed for a final installation that was able to restore the building to its original glory and design, while meeting the current stringent, high-performance window and hurricane codes," said Winco's technical sales and business development manager, Kurtis Suellentrop, EIT.

Ace Hotel's welcome message expresses a similar sentiment, "Work can be a beautiful thing when done beautifully, and it's a lot more fun done together than apart."

Arriving in person at the New Orleans location, guests and their pets are greeted in a lobby that feels more like a living room filled with curios, mementos and a well-stocked bar. They are offered a choice of restaurants with menus by James Beard Award-winning chefs, near-nightly entertainment, and a gallery of original artwork by local artists and friends of the hotel.

Ace Hotel New Orleans joins the growing Ace Hotel network of modern eye-catching designs with a vintage feel. Its locations in New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Seattle, as well as in Portland, Ore., and Palm Springs, Calif., are all conversions of existing historic buildings. The company also has locations in London and Panama City.

Ace Hotel describes itself as:
"...a collection of individuals — multiple and inclusive, held together by an affinity for the soulful. We are not here to reinvent the hotel, but to readdress its conventions to keep them fresh, energized, human. We accept the hotel as a potential for real, fluid community. We believe that hospitality is compassion, that it is not servility but genuine concern for others' well-being and the ability to live with empathy."
These inspiring words strike a chord resonating with the people and places they represent. They convey an organization with deep consideration for each element – and every window – that creates its guests' experiences.

Ace Hotel New Orleans; 600 Carondelet, New Orleans, La. 70130; https://www.acehotel.com/neworleans

• Developer: The Domain Companies; New Orleans; http://thedomaincos.com
• Architect: Eskew+Dumez+Ripple; New Orleans; http://www.eskewdumezripple.com
• Construction manager at risk – joint venture: Broadmoor LLC; Metairie, La.; http://broadmoorllc.com
• and Palmisano Contractors; New Orleans; http://palmisanogroup.com
• Window system – manufacturer: Winco Windows; St. Louis; http://www.wincowindow.com
• Window system – installer: DeGeorge Glass Company Inc.; Metairie, La.; http://www.degeorgeglassco.com
• Window system – glass fabricator: Insulite Glass Co. Inc.; Olathe, Kan.; http://www.insuliteglass.com; using PPG SOLARBAN 70XL insulated, laminated hurricane glass
• Window system – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wis.; http://www.linetec.com
• Historic and before photos courtesy of Winco Windows
• Current/after photos by: Timothy Hursley Photography, courtesy of Winco Windows