Simply meandering through the tree-lined streets of the Crescent City, one can’t help but ponder the rich history of New Orleans homes. With the buildings’ definitive styles and uncommon layouts, passersby can’t help but linger over the design details that set these homes apart. It’s time to take a virtual walk down the streets of the Big Easy, featuring artful preservation and enchanting history.
Creole Cottages: 1790-1850
Though simple and petite, Creole Cottages boast classic New Orleans style and owe their architecture to early developers plotting apart their plantation land. Typically found with four entries in front and built only inches from sidewalks, these cottages can often be found in traditional neighborhoods like Vieux Carre, Treme, and Faubourg Marigny. Explorers can’t miss the distinctive roofline that slopes from front to back, flanked by gables, or the uniquely triangular design shaped by the roof ends.
Center Hall Homes: 1803-1870
Featuring brick piers two to eight feet above ground, Center Hall homes have a wide front gallery that leaves room for an outdoor entertainment space. These buildings are distinguished by their five front openings and six columns. The central door typically leads into a foyer, with two supporting windows on either side.
Double-Gallery Homes: 1820-1850
With similar layouts to townhouses, double-gallery homes were adapted to more residential areas with larger plots. Often found in the Garden District, Uptown, and Esplanade Ridge, these homes are built a distance from the sidewalk, leaving room for extra living, entertaining, and leisure space. They also often feature front-facing covered porches known as “galleries.”
The architecture and history of New Orleans homes will continue to keep both residents and tourists traipsing local streets, eager to learn more about the rich history of the Crescent City.