The late Marie Delphine LaLaurie is remembered as both a wealthy New Orleans socialite and an enslaver, and her gruesome legacy is tied to a historic mansion on Royal Street, which has been seen on America’s Most Haunted Homes and depicted on FX’s American Horror Story: Coven.
Though it is rumored to be haunted, according to The Wall Street Journal, that didn’t stop actor Nicolas Cage from buying the home in 2007. Two years later, the Hollywood icon, struggling to maintain a vast portfolio of properties around the world, lost the property to foreclosure; it was eventually scooped up by energy trader Michael Whalen for around $2.1 million in 2010. Whalen proceeded to pour over $4 million into renovations before recently putting the property back on the market for $10.25 million. Patrick Knudsen of Latter & Blum | Compass holds the listing.
The primary bedroom is a moody, decadent space with silk drapes and lavender jacquard wall coverings.
The LaLaurie Mansion spans a commodious 10,284 square feet with a host of amenities that highlight its historical significance and grandeur. The home was completed in the 1830s, but its original structure was burned in an 1834 fire. The mishap left the charred interiors of the building exposed to the street, at which time abused slaves and chained bodies became visible to other residents of the French Quarter. Disgusted onlookers destroyed what remained of the structure, and the LaLaurie family reportedly sold the land by 1837.
An Empire-style antebellum home was later built on the property and was used as a girls’ high school at one point. It now features a three-story structure that houses the main house and is connected to a four-story service wing. New images of the home appear to lean into its spooky history, adding eye-catching colors like bright red, purple, black, and a wicked-green hue to modernized living and dining areas. Eight bedrooms, eight baths, and two powder rooms are spread across its expansive square footage, which is topped by a private rooftop deck.
Beyond the gated entrance, double parlors come into view alongside a billiards room, a guest suite, and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar. The gourmet kitchen and elegant dining room are found on the second level, where a wrap-around balcony grants views of the cityscape and the street life below. The primary suite, plus two others, are accessible on the floor above. While it might not be the primary, one of the guest suites dons red lacquered walls that feel devilishly deluxe. The service wing contains two apartments and additional bedroom suites for overflow guests and staff.
A central brick courtyard is ideal for catching a breath of fresh air and taking in the historic property.
The LaLaurie House itself has a troubling history, even to Nicolas Cage. The actor owned the home before losing it to foreclosure in 2009. Cage told the New York Daily News that in addition to the LaLaurie House being a fine architectural specimen, he was enamored with its ghostly past. “You know, other people have beachfront property; I have ghost front property – that’s what I always say. I have not experienced anything, but I like a bit of mystery, and the house has such a mystery to it. Some of the stories about it are pretty horrific,’’ Cage said.
As to why he wanted to own a home with such a gruesome past? “I’m a child of California and I would go to Disneyland quite a bit – I consider myself something of a ‘Son of Walt’ and those memories had an impact on me. One of the greatest memories would be the haunted mansion at Anaheim, in New Orleans Square, no less. So for me to have the actual thing was the childhood fantasy come true.’’
Nicolas Cage was also fascinated by the mansion’s ghostly past, so much so that he bought it. According to a tour guide, Nicolas only spent one night in the house because he could hear all sorts of ghostly sounds. These sounds and disruptions scared him too much to stay a second night. The following night, he rented a place across the street and let his friends have a party in his new mansion.
Nicolas Cage didn’t own the mansion for very long. Shortly after, he claimed bankruptcy and the house foreclosed. It’s currently privately owned by a rich businessman from Texas and the house is unavailable for public visits.
A few days after the ghost tour, I headed to the popular St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. I was really interested in seeing the tomb of Marie Laveau, also known as the Voodoo Queen of Louisiana. Marie Laveau was also a character from American Horror Story, played by the amazing Angela Bassett. But I’ll come back to her and her mystery tomb in another post.
I walked around the beautiful, old and incredibly hot sun-filled cemetery hearing all about the famous residents buried there. As I learned why all the tombs are above ground and the incredible history of the place, we stumbled upon a very peculiar looking tomb that really stood out.
Guess who has a tomb ready and waiting for his body in New Orleans’ oldest cemetery? That’s right — Nicolas Cage! He has quite a unique looking tomb — it’s all white and in the shape of a pyramid. It’s weird to say I was able to visit a celebrity’s gravesite while they were still alive.
I really loved learning how Nicolas Cage is woven into New Orleans. I’m sure there are a lot more links I’m unaware of. There must be more connecting Nicolas Cage and New Orleans! I am eager to find out as much as I possibly can about the mysterious man and my favourite city.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News
