An 1859 Estate on Esplanade Avenue
Discover Our Rich History
Esplanade Avenue, a storied thoroughfare in New Orleans, stretches three miles from the Mississippi River’s banks to the edge of City Park. Renowned for its rich tapestry of 19th-century architectural styles, it forms the downriver edge of the French Quarter and winds through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The avenue, with its oak-lined median known locally as a “neutral ground,” is adorned with multicolored homes, symbolizing centuries of architectural history.
Among the most iconic structures along Esplanade Avenue is the Bella Rose Mansion. Completed in 1859, it was reputedly the most expensive house built in New Orleans at the time. Commissioned by ship captain William Whann and constructed by Littleton and Miss, the mansion epitomized luxury with granite finishes, ornate moldings, grand double-parlors, lacy wrought-iron balconies, a teardrop-shaped garden, and the modern convenience of hot running water
In 1865, the mansion was purchased by August Bohn, Esq., becoming known as the Whann-Bohn House. It was celebrated as “the most beautiful, historic estate in the Marigny overlooking the French Quarter.” The grandeur of its interior detailing gave rise to the “Esplanade Ridge Style,” influencing the design of other homes throughout the Faubourg Marigny Historic District and beyond.
The Historic District Landmarks Commission has classified the mansion as “blue,” its second-highest category, signifying its major architectural importance. The Bella Rose Mansion stands as a remarkable emblem of New Orleans’ rich architectural legacy, preserving the grandeur of the city’s past for future generations.
