In a city replete with homes and buildings noted for their history and architecture, the New Orleans list of registered historic structures is more extensive than most. Here are some of the Big Easy’s buildings and homes that have attained iconic status, reflect historic remodeling, and are magnets for visitors and locals because of it.
The U.S. Custom House
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974, this building is renowned for its Egyptian Revival columns. It was designed for federal offices and storage space for the trade burgeoning throughout the Mississippi Valley. Construction began in 1848 but was not completed until 1881 as a result of design changes and the Civil War.
The Cabildo
With its Spanish arches and a French mansard roof, The Cabildo ranks among the most historically significant buildings in America. First opened in 1791, it was burned during The Great New Orleans Fire in 1794 and rebuilt by 1799. It was New Orleans’ seat of government, and it hosted the signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. By 1895 it had fallen into decay, but artist William Woodward, known for his impressionist paintings of New Orleans, campaigned successfully to have The Cabildo renovated and preserved.
The Presbytere
Built in 1791 as the matching structure for The Cabildo, The Presbytere is an extraordinary example of formal colonial Spanish architecture and historic remodeling. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, it now features a museum that includes exquisite Mardi Gras memorabilia and artifacts, along with a moving reflection of the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina.
Beauregard-Keyes House
Built in 1826, this French Quarter landmark was the home of two New Orleans icons who lived almost a century apart. It was initially the home of Confederate General P.T. Beauregard, who grew up in New Orleans and ultimately ordered the first shots of the Civil War on Fort Sumter in 1861. Almost 100 years later, the home was bought by noted author Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Bocage Plantation
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bocage Plantation is a jewel in the historic treasure of Louisiana. With its tree-lined path, two-story columns, elegant décor, and historic remodeling, the antebellum mansion is a reflection of its deep roots in the colonization of the early United States. There are plantation homes larger than Bocage, but none are more lovingly restored.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
This National Historic Landmark ranks among the premier educational and cultural resources in New Orleans and is one of the last genuine reflections of the Country Era Place homes of the early 20th century. Accompanying the estate are eight acres of dazzling gardens with a peerless collection of irises, an interactive discovery garden for children, a meticulous exterior and interior, and a world-class house museum.
There are 20 historic districts on the National Register in New Orleans—more than any other city in the U.S.—and historic remodeling and renovation have enabled these iconic structures to stick around for generations to come. If you’re interested in remodeling your home—historic or otherwise—fill out the MLM Incorporated contact form today.