Chesneau Mansion, 533 Saint Louis Street, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA

1988 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Honorable Mention
Significance: The Chesneau Mansion, situated along St. Louis Street in the renowned Quarter Francaise of New Orleans is one of the finest examples of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century architecture in the city. Chesneau Mansion is prototypical of a type of commercial-residential building that arose in Spanish New Orleans following the fires of 1788 and 1794. Unusually sophisticated mantels, cornices, and hand-forged hardware distinguish the building as an important reservoir of architectural details found in houses contemporary to the 1800 period. The setting of the Chesneau Mansion, surrounded by "buildings of major historical significance" of the same period, dramatically enhances its value. Constructed shortly after 1800, the Chesneau Mansion is a two-story brick building. The ground floor contained two stories, each with separate storage areas or entresols, following the Mediterranean tradition; the second floor constituted the premier etage or living quarters for the family. Divided into four large chambers which were bisected by a narrow wall, this floor was accessible through a winding wooden staircase which extends from the ground floor loggia to an elegant glass-enclosed loggia upstairs. Architectural remnants in the attic conclusively establish that the roof was originally terraced.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-112
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N2017
Survey number: HABS LA-1190
Building/structure dates: ca. 1800 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000377