New Orleans has been under French and Spanish rule. The second time it basically burned down in the 1700s, the Spanish governor Francisco Luis Hector (Baron de Carondolet) mandated certain building styles to prevent fires that resulted in mostly brick or similar styles, porte-cochères, wrought iron with unique features, loggias, fountains, and flagged courtyards.
Because the Quarter was being rebuilt, the french influenced Spanish style was widespread, sturdy, and appealing. The typical creative destruction that causes cities to constantly change buildings and evolve neighborhoods spared the French Quarter which was already solidly and beautifully built, through the 1800s.
By the time in the 1930s that people started looking at building high rises into the quarter (they were already common on the “american” side of Canal St), there was enough consciousness of the historic nature of the French Quarter that the Vieux Carre commission formed to protect the neighborhood. If you love architecture, art, history, etc the city has a lot to offer.
So you have a public, unique district in New Orleans with centuries-old, European style buildings and a unique creole culture, almost none over 3 stories tall.
I’m not happy about racist opportunists renaming streets and tearing down monuments in New Orleans. Of all cities in our country, New Orleans is steeped in historical charm and deep, rich history. New Orleanians care about history. Latoya Cantrell is a bad mayor.
New Orleans, from the day of its founding by Bienville, has always been part majestic, part shithole. It is a duality that has captured many hearts and imaginations.
If you are interested in FQ architecture and history I’d suggest “Historic Buildings on the French Quarter” by Lloyd Vogt, and “The French Quarter of New Orleans” by Jim Fraiser.
Tourists think of commercial Bourbon Street as synonymous with the FQ. It’s actually the least part, and one those of us who live in the quarter avoid.
I could go on about the creole cuisine, festivals just about every weekend, etc. There is ugly to see in New Orleans but there is spectacular beauty as well.
Lots of old architecture, history, first bar in American from 1600s, paddle boats, WWII museum, live music, watching the river boats, great food.
New Orleans has been under French and Spanish rule. The second time it basically burned down in the 1700s, the Spanish governor Francisco Luis Hector (Baron de Carondolet) mandated certain building styles to prevent fires that resulted in mostly brick or similar styles, porte-cochères, wrought iron with unique features, loggias, fountains, and flagged courtyards.
Because the Quarter was being rebuilt, the french influenced Spanish style was widespread, sturdy, and appealing. The typical creative destruction that causes cities to constantly change buildings and evolve neighborhoods spared the French Quarter which was already solidly and beautifully built, through the 1800s.
By the time in the 1930s that people started looking at building high rises into the quarter (they were already common on the “american” side of Canal St), there was enough consciousness of the historic nature of the French Quarter that the Vieux Carre commission formed to protect the neighborhood. If you love architecture, art, history, etc the city has a lot to offer.
So you have a public, unique district in New Orleans with centuries-old, European style buildings and a unique creole culture, almost none over 3 stories tall.
I’m not happy about racist opportunists renaming streets and tearing down monuments in New Orleans. Of all cities in our country, New Orleans is steeped in historical charm and deep, rich history. New Orleanians care about history. Latoya Cantrell is a bad mayor.
New Orleans, from the day of its founding by Bienville, has always been part majestic, part shithole. It is a duality that has captured many hearts and imaginations.
If you are interested in FQ architecture and history I’d suggest “Historic Buildings on the French Quarter” by Lloyd Vogt, and “The French Quarter of New Orleans” by Jim Fraiser.
Tourists think of commercial Bourbon Street as synonymous with the FQ. It’s actually the least part, and one those of us who live in the quarter avoid.
I could go on about the creole cuisine, festivals just about every weekend, etc. There is ugly to see in New Orleans but there is spectacular beauty as well.