The French Quarter Offers Sophistication and Charm in the Heart of New Orleans
One-of-a-kind, historic homes on tree-lined streets are just steps from bustling Bourbon Street
The residential parts of New Orleans’s quaint and historic French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré or simply as the Quarter, are a far cry from the the lively, touristy area along Bourbon Street, which runs through the neighborhood. To get an idea of this picturesque enclave, “picture a European city in New Orleans,” said Dorian Bennett of Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The Quarter is a walkable, self-contained neighborhood, yet you feel like it’s an escape, a different city,” said Eleanor Farnsworth of New Orleans Luxury Real Estate.
For Ariana Tipper, also of Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty, “it’s the texture, the architecture, the culture. That’s what makes [the French Quarter] such a unique place” not just in New Orleans, but in the world.
Boundaries
Although most New Orleans neighborhoods have relatively ambiguous boundaries, the French Quarter’s are quite distinct. The Mississippi River forms its natural border to the southeast. The neighborhood is bounded by Canal Street to the southwest, Rampart Street to the northwest, and Esplanade Avenue to the northeast. “The Vieux Carré is approximately one square mile,” Ms. Farnsworth noted, “yet 7,000 people call the it home.”
Price Range
Luxury homes in the French Quarter start at around $1 million, but most average between $2 million and $3 million, according to Mr. Bennett. For an average luxury home, buyers can expect to find amenities such as home gyms and theaters, and wine cellars, Mr. Bennett said. Pools and landscaped gardens, as well as private elevators, are highly valued.
At the high end of the market, homes can be listed for as much as $10 million. Ms. Farnsworth gave the example of a 12,365-square-foot, three-story, eight-bedroom French Colonial-style mansion currently on the market for $9.25 million that has walled grounds and courtyards, parking for 15 cars, and a guest house.
Among the most sought-after amenities in the neighborhood, Ms. Farnsworth and Ms. Tipper agreed, are off-street parking and balconies, given the historic quality of the French Quarter and its notable architecture.
Luxury condominiums average just over $450,000, and can be listed for more than $800,000 for 1,400 square feet or more.
Housing Stock
Given New Orleans’s colonial history, the French and Spanish influences on the city are apparent in the architecture of the French Quarter. Mr. Bennett and Ms. Farnsworth concurred that no one architectural style could be said to characterize the neighborhood, however.
Beautiful examples of Greek Revival and French Colonial mansions can be found sitting alongside expansive bungalows—each of them easily over 100 years old.
The French Quarter has a mix of historic single-family homes, row houses, and luxury condos. The small number of single-family homes, often with walled grounds, makes them unique and exceptionally coveted, Ms. Tipper said.
Mr. Bennett pointed to the neighborhood’s newer condos and developers “creating new luxury environments,” as well as restoration that ensures the enduring integrity of the neighborhood’s exceptional architecture.
What Makes It Unique
The French Quarter is a walkable neighborhood characterized by its historic architecture, with close proximity to fine dining, music, antique shops. The Vieux Carré Commission works diligently to preserve the quality of both the neighborhood’s quaint, traditional architecture and the its quality of life.
Despite being steeped in tradition, “the French Quarter is for absolutely everyone,” Ms. Tipper said. “Its diversity adds to the texture of the neighborhood.”
Photos: Paul Broussard; Courtesy New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
Luxury Amenities
The French Quarter’s central location means residents have easy access to some of the best shopping, entertainment, and dining options in the city. Mr. Bennett also pointed to the neighborhood’s proximity to the city’s best antique and book stores, as well as theaters and art galleries. French Antique Shop, Inc., Keil’s Antiques, and M.S. Rau’s Antiques, for example, are all located along Royal Street, as are the Caliche and Pao Gallery and the Antieau Gallery.
The historic Saenger Theatre on Canal Street and Le Petit Theatre, on the picturesque Jackson Square, are both within easy walking distance from the rest of the Vieux Carré.
Famed restaurants such as Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, Broussard’s, and Arnaud’s, all serving Louisiana Creole cuisine, are located in the Quarter. Fine dining options are also close at hand, including August, serving elegant French fare; Herbsaint, which offers up contemporary French-Southern cuisine; and Bayona, serving creative cuisine in a 200-year-old cottage. Ms. Tipper also noted the abundance of locally owned businesses and smaller neighborhood haunts such as Cosimo’s Bar and “Croissant d’Or, a fabulous little French pastry shop you can just sneak into.”
Isidore Newman School is a co-ed K-12 school in the uptown section of the city, while the Louise S. McGehee School is a private, independent K-12 school for girls in the nearby Garden District. Benjamin Franklin High School, a charter school and one of the best schools in the state, is located in nearby Lake Terrace.
Caliche and Pao Gallery
Caliche and Pao Gallery
The Saenger Theatre
The Saenger Theatre
Antoine’s
Antoine’s
Who Lives There
“You have to love New Orleans to buy in the French Quarter,” Ms. Tipper said; “You’re buying into a neighborhood that’s the heart of the city, and people take that very seriously.”
The Quarter attracts a diverse group of buyers, from lawyers and investors to musicians and celebrities. Although there is some foreign interest—primarily from British buyers, according to Mr. Bennett—most buyers in the French Quarter come from within the United States.
Notable Residents
Many celebrities move in and out of the Quarter, drawn as much by film locations as by the neighborhood itself, as do musicians who enjoy the city’s lively venues. Actress Jessica Lange and country singer Jerry Jeff Walker both have homes in the neighborhood.
Nicolas Cage owned two properties in New Orleans; his French Quarter property was, in fact, the former home of Delphine LaLaurie, the infamous socialite and murderer recently portrayed by Kathy Bates in “American Horror Story.” Lenny Kravitz, Quentin Tarantino, Peter Sarsgaard, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have all called the French Quarter home.
Outlook
Although there has been steady interest in the French Quarter for those looking for second homes or investment properties in the past, Mr. Bennett noted that more recently, buyers are in search of their primary residence. “People want to settle on something really special, and we have it,” he said, adding that “the French Quarter is always a good, solid long-term investment.”
Ms. Farnsworth noted that the French Quarter recently banned short-term rentals, which has caused a greater number of homes to go on the market than usual. Currently, it is a buyer’s market, but Ms. Tipper noted that the market in the French Quarter is more stable than elsewhere in the city; “we’re not going to see outrageous fluctuation,” she said.
“It’s definitely a buyer’s market,” Ms. Farnsworth said, “but sellers still get a high price per square foot.” The average, $648 per square foot, is much higher than in Uptown or the Garden District, she reported. In her view, the current market “is an opportunity to buy in. If you want the Quarter, there’s only but so many blocks. The Quarter will remain the French Quarter.”
