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Gayle Benson buys another well-known New Orleans skyscraper, adding to growing property holdings

The BankPlus Tower on Poydras Street will be home to her executive staff.

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The downtown New Orleans building at 909 Poydras Street is being rebranded the Bank Plus Tower on Monday, January 23, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has acquired the 36-story high rise at 909 Poydras Street, currently branded as BankPlus Tower, the latest addition to her growing portfolio of downtown New Orleans properties.

In a deal that closed Friday, Benson purchased the building, which is nearly 80% occupied, from Los Angeles-based Hertz Investment Group, which had owned it since 2005.

A sale price was not disclosed, but the building had nearly $40 million worth of outstanding debt that was due this month and had quietly been marketed for sale all year. A source familiar with the deal said the sale price was roughly equal to the outstanding loan balance.

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Gayle Benson has purchased the BankPlus tower at 909 Poydras St. Advocate staff photo by MAX BECHERER

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New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson waves to the crowd at Gallier Hall in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune) STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE

Luxury high rise

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The downtown New Orleans building at 909 Poydras Street is being rebranded the Bank Plus Tower on Monday, January 23, 2023. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER

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The Taylor Building, purchased by Gayle Benson, photographed on Harmony Circle in New Orleans, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

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1515 Poydras Street, light colored building far center, is located across the street from the Caesar's Superdome in downtown New Orleans. New Orleans Saint's owner Gayle Benson and her real estate firm are purchasing this building. 1615 Poydras, far left, called the DXC building, is where NOPD now has it's headquarters. (Photo by Chris Granger The Times-Picayune)

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