Faubourg Marigny Recognized as a Top Ten Neighborhood!
October 16th, 2009
Always unique, culturally diverse, and historically significant, well, we’ve always known the Faubourg Marigny was a treasure to the City of New Orleans. Now the APA, American Planning Association, has agreed and designated the Faubourg Marigny to its 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2009. 
Originally the area denoted as the Faubourg Marigny was part of Bernard de Marigny’s plantation, and it was from this land that the neighborhood down from the French Quarter was created. Parcels of land began to be sold around 1805 often to gens de couleur or free people of color. Speculation and rumor has the land was sold to satisfy Bernard’s gambling debts, but whether that is true or not remains unclear, although it adds to the rich lore of the Marigny. Over time the area filled with rich and diverse architectural styles including Craftsman, Italianate, and Greek Revival styles along with Creole cottages and shotguns. 
As a point of interest, in 1974 the Faubourg Marigny was added to the National Register of Historic Places in large measure due to these diverse and unique architectural styles.
With the abundance of historic properties in the area, the supernatural aspect can’t be far behind in New Orleans. Several local establishments such as Feelings Restaurant located at Franklin and Chartres is rumored to be haunted on the second floor by a small girl. Having eaten at Feelings on numerous occasions, I can attest to the great food and atmosphere, but alas! no ghostly apparition. Perhaps you will be luckier! 
Moving forward, the Marigny will play an integral role in the development of green space along the Mississippi River in the $30 million project to begin in the first quarter of 2010 dubbed Reinventing the Crescent. That project will open access to the river for residents and guests alike to enjoy that magnificent waterway through parks and walkways along the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. Just another reason to enjoy this fabulous historic neighborhood! 
If you’re in a walking mood, come join us at Washington Square for the Fourth Annual Faubourg Marigny Walking Tour this Sunday October 18th to learn more about the rich architectural homes of the area.
And as always, if a historic property in a rich diverse area steps from the French Quarter interests you, give me a call at (504) 948-3011!
As an fyi, the following are the other nine APA 2009 Great Neighborhoods for 2009:
- Pasadena, California - Bungalow Heaven
- Lincoln, Nebraska - The Haymarket
- Kenmore, New York - Village of Kenmore
- Fargo, North Dakota - Downtown Fargo
- Portland, Oregon - Ladd’s Addition
- Franklin, Tennessee - Downtown Franklin Historic District
- Houston, Texas - Montrose
- Newport News, Virginia - Historic Hilton Village
- Spokane, Washington - Browne’s Addition
Posted by:
Carol-Jean Dixon
Share With a Friend1 Response to “Faubourg Marigny Recognized as a Top Ten Neighborhood!”
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:01 PM This is a very exquisite neighborhood! There are so many places to visit along Frenchmen Street! I would love to live there!