J
oseph C. Canizaro, a prominent New Orleans real estate developer and philanthropist, died at his Metairie home on Friday night at the age of 88. His death followed a series of strokes. Canizaro's career spanned over five decades, during which he transformed downtown New Orleans with numerous projects that redefined its skyline.

    Canizaro's vision for New Orleans was inspired by the International Trade Mart, which he visited while it was under construction in the early 1960s. He envisioned a great building at the convergence of Canal and Poydras streets near the Mississippi River. His first major project, the Lykes Center, was completed in 1966 on a piece of property slightly farther up Poydras Street. The 276-foot building established Canizaro as a visionary builder and set the stage for his future developments.

    Canizaro's subsequent projects included One Canal Place, a complex containing an office tower, hotel, and shopping center, which he partnered with the Shah of Iran on before buying out his share in 1979. The project opened in 1983 and cemented Canizaro's reputation as a major developer. He continued to build across New Orleans and the region, leaving behind a legacy that includes the First Bank Center, Information Technology Center Office Complex, and various office buildings, hotels, and mixed-use projects.

    In addition to his real estate ventures, Canizaro was a force in local banking, leading an investor group that took over the failed First City Bank in 1991. He also served on the Bring New Orleans Back Commission after Hurricane Katrina, which recommended rebuilding efforts but faced criticism for its Green Dot plan, which proposed limiting reconstruction in severely damaged neighborhoods.

    Canizaro's philanthropic efforts were significant, with major gifts to Loyola University and Ave Maria University. He was a founding president of the local chapter of Legatus and received numerous honors, including honorary doctorates from Our Lady of Holy Cross College and Notre Dame Seminary.

    In his personal life, Canizaro grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi, and credited his father with teaching him the value of hard work and confidence. He was a devoted Catholic and had a strong sense of ideology, which led him to become a major donor to Republican candidates, including President Donald Trump.