This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Piazza d'Italia, an architectural highlight in downtown New Orleans. Located between Poydras and Lafayette streets, the outdoor plaza was conceived by leaders of New Orleans' Italian-American community as a public tribute to the contributions of Italians to the city.

The $1.65 million piazza was designed by noted postmodern architect Charles Moore and August Perez and Associates (now Perez APC), who combined elements of Classical and Renaissance architecture in the brightly colored public plaza, which includes a fountain, columns, a clock and bell tower. The property was acquired in a land swap between the city and Canal Place developer Joseph Canizaro.