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New Orleans, Orleans Parish / History

Pontalba Buildings

Resplendent brick row houses framing Jackson Square, these 1850s landmarks were designed and financed by the formidable Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba.

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What are the Pontalba Buildings known for?

The Pontalba Buildings are resplendent brick row houses and enduring French Quarter landmarks that line two sides of Jackson Square. They were designed and financed by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba and completed in the early 1850s.

Where are the buildings located?

They are located in Jackson Square in New Orleans. The Upper Pontalba Building is on St. Peter Street, and the Lower Pontalba Building is on St. Ann Street.

What are the hours and ticket prices for the 1850 House?

The 1850 House, located inside the Lower Pontalba Building, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last ticket sale at 3:30 p.m.), except on select state holidays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, military, and students with ID, and free for children 6 and under.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes, guided tours are conducted seven days a week, twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., except on state holidays.

Is the site wheelchair accessible?

The 1850 House has limited wheelchair accessibility because it is on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the ground-floor exhibitions, courtyard, and museum store are wheelchair accessible.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Pontalba Buildings are iconic brick row houses that frame two sides of Jackson Square in the French Quarter. These massive structures were designed and financed by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba, with construction beginning in 1849 and completion in the early 1850s. The Upper Pontalba Building is situated on St. Peter Street, while the Lower Pontalba Building is located on St. Ann Street. Historically, these buildings have served as residential spaces and have been home to notable authors such as William Faulkner, Sherwood Anderson, and Katherine Anne Porter. Over the decades, the structures underwent several transformations, including a remodel into apartments using Works Progress Administration funds between 1935 and 1936, followed by a 1950s restoration by Koch and Wilson, Architects, which returned them to residential use. Today, the Lower Pontalba Building is owned by the state and houses the Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House. This museum preserves the original second- and third-floor residential configuration of the era. Visitors can explore the ground-floor exhibitions, the museum store, and the courtyard, which are all wheelchair accessible, though the upper floors of the 1850 House itself have limited accessibility due to its status on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitor tips

  • The 1850 House is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with last ticket sales at 3:30 p.m.
  • Guided tours of the 1850 House are available twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
  • Adult admission to the 1850 House is $8, while seniors, military, and students with ID pay $6.

Nearby context

The Pontalba Buildings perfectly frame the edges of Jackson Square, creating a formal architectural boundary for the park and the St. Louis Cathedral, St. Peter Street and St. Ann Street.

Sources

Evidence and links