Bigger Space, Bolder Dreams: See Downtown FabWorks' New Facility

As many of our friends and colleagues know, Downtown FabWorks moved from our original location in Chalmette, Louisiana to a much larger New Orleans location last winter. These first few months of 2025 have sped by, and today it suddenly hit me that I haven’t had a chance to slow down and share what having this new home base means to our team. 

First, a little background—when I founded this company in 2019, I had one big, hairy, audacious goal: to bring together a team of skilled professionals from diverse trades under one roof to deliver immersive, high-quality experiences for live events, broadcast television, brand activations, themed environments, and exhibitions. 

But everyone has to start somewhere, and the company’s first project started with a single employee (me) working under a tent in my backyard. When I spotted an affordable warehouse for sale a couple of months later, it was a no-brainer to call the listing agent. I moved in, hired a few friends, and the rest is history.

Over the years, the company’s project roster grew and we expanded into a second warehouse space just across the street from the first. It was tight, but manageable—until 2024, when our projects began outpacing our available workspace. It happened pretty rapidly, and the last few months in our old shop had us working in extremely close quarters. It was a relief to move from our original spot to our brand new 40,000 sq. ft. facility at the end of last year.

The expansion marks a major milestone for our team. Over the last few months we’ve been able to streamline operations, take on larger projects, and expand our offerings considerably. 

Our New Orleans facility features:

• 40,000 sq. ft. of fabrication space designed to handle projects of any scale, from intricate architectural details to massive scenic elements.

• Three dock-high loading docks to streamline logistics and delivery, ensuring seamless project execution.

• A dedicated storage bay for our growing event rental inventory, making it easier to manage a wide range of client needs.

• Purpose-built spaces for every department, including:

  • Sales & Estimation

  • Production & Technical Design

  • Project Management

  • Metalworks, Millwork, CNC, Finishing, and Installation

This move represents more than just a change in geographic location. While our work takes us to clients across the United States, I’m especially passionate about what this expansion means for New Orleans and the amazing well of talent we have right here at home. With more space comes a greater diversity of projects, which gives us the ability to employ more Louisiana artists, artisans, and craftspeople (for example, Robin Durand, the subject of our last Staff Spotlight feature).

Thank you to all of you: our clients, partners, and the incredible communities of St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes for supporting us along the way as we moved all the way from a backyard tent to one of the slickest fabrication facilities on the block. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we can’t wait to show you what we can do next.

You’ve seen our new shop; now find out how Downtown FabWorks can help you create unforgettable experiences for patrons, guests, and clients! We partner with our clients to design and fabricate immersive experiences, themed environments, and more. Visit our website to see how we can bring your vision to life.