H.M. ‘Tim’ Favrot Jr., architect and civic leader

Henri Mortimer “Tim” Favrot, an architect and real estate developer who was active in a long list of professional and civic organizations, died Sunday (May 10) at his New Orleans home. He was 85.

A lifelong New Orleanian who attended Jesuit High School and graduated from Culver Military Academy, Mr. Favrot earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture at Tulane University and a master’s degree in the subject at Harvard University.

Mr. Favrot, who represented the fourth generation of architects in his family, formed Favrot and Shane Companies in 1970 with his friend, Henry Shane, a fellow architect.

Although Mr. Favrot held degrees in architecture and designed apartment complexes throughout the New Orleans area, he became more of a real estate developer, said his wife, Kay Gibbons Favrot.

He focused his architectural passion on historic preservation, she said, and he served twice as president of the Preservation Resource Center’s board. Mr. Favrot also sat on the boards of Preservation in Action and the Louisiana Landmarks Society.

He was president of the New Orleans and Louisiana chapters of the American Institute of Architects, and he endowed a chair at Tulane’s School of Architecture in honor of his father and grandfather.

Mr. Favrot was named the Outstanding Alumnus of the Tulane School of Architecture in 1985 and Tulane’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year in 1997 and a Legend of Architecture by the AIA’s New Orleans chapter in 2014.

In recognition of his service to preservation and the AIA, Mr. Favrot was named a fellow of the AIA. He received the highest award given by the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects -– the Gold Medal of Honor –- in 2001 and Design Honors Awards from the Louisiana and New Orleans AIA chapters in 1970 and 1982.

He was a former president of the Apartment Association of New Orleans, a former chairman of the City Planning Commission and the Louisiana Architects Selection Board, a former director of the Metropolitan Area Committee of New Orleans and a former vice president of the board of the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Mr. Favrot, who was a first lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, was a former commander of the Louisiana Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Favrot was a member of the National World War II Museum‘s board. At the museum, he and his wife gave money for a space that has been named the Mr. and Mrs. H. Mortimer Favrot Jr. Orientation Center, and he sponsored the Briefing Room in the museum’s Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries.

He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Persons of the New Orleans area by the Family Service Society of New Orleans in 2001 and a role model of the New Orleans area by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans in 2002. He was listed in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest Who’s Who in America.

Mr. Favrot was a member of the Boston Club, the Louisiana Club, the New Orleans Country Club and the Pass Christian (Miss.) Yacht Club.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, James P. and T. Semmes Favrot, both of New Orleans; two daughters, Kathleen Favrot Van Horn of New Orleans and Caroline Favrot Trube of Austin, Texas; a sister, Claire Favrot Killeen of Covington; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

A Mass will be said Wednesday (May 13) at 2 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave. Visitation will begin at noon.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.