Commission Accomplished: October 20-26 [see the SlideDeck] HIGHEST Address: 1140 Royal St., New Orleans, 70116 Sales price: $6 million List price: $10.25 million Date sold: Oct. 21 Days on Market: 30  Listing agent: Patrick Knudsen, Latter & Blum | Compass  Sales agent: Elizabeth Novit, RE/MAX Commercial CityBusiness would like to thank all parties involved for the well-timed sale of the highest-priced home sold in the greater New Orleans area. For this week, a Halloween treat, as one of New Orleans’ most infamous historical residences in the French Quarter – the “haunted” (allegedly) LaLaurie Mansion at 1140 Royal St. – sold for $6 million on Oct. 21. The Empire Style antebellum home, originally built in 1831, is a common stop among many French Quarter ghost and haunted history tours, and was featured in the FX show American Horror Story. It was originally owned by wealthy socialites and entertainers Delphine Macarty Lalaurie and Dr. Louis Lalaurie. In 1834, a fire damaged the home and revealed that people were enslaved and tortured, with bodies later found on the property. The Lalauries left the city, but New Orleans legend and lore has it that since, ghosts of the people who were subjected to inhumane conditions may at times haunt the property. So much so is the haunted legend that former owner and famous actor Nicholas Cage only spent one night in the house because he heard ghost sounds and disruptions, enough that he rented a place across the street. That may bring new meaning to Gone in 60 Seconds. But to balance out all the past haunted tales of paranormal activity is the story of the most recent reality of the impressive renovations to the mansion made by Houston energy trader Michael Whalen, who has owned 1140 Royal St. since 2010. Whalen hired Houston designer and native New Orleanian Katie Scott to complete the renovations of the grand-sized property that features 8 bedrooms, 8 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, and 10,284 square feet of living space. “It’s a masterpiece of past and present in New Orleans,” said listing agent Patrick Knudsen, of Latter & Blum | Compass. Knudsen was the sales agent for Whalen in 2010 when he bought the home for $2.1 million. “I have known this home for a long time, and I have observed how the impressive renovations and meticulous details have added to the allure of the home. The renovations have put this home in immaculate condition, with aesthetically pleasing and spectacular finishes, and every room being purposeful, blending period details with modern comforts to elevate every corner of its expanse.” The story of the current sale of the LaLaurie Mansion dates back to late August when CityBusiness featured the home in “On the Market” for $10.25 million. A purchasing contract fell through with an out-of-state buyer. However, the same out-of-state buyer renegotiated terms that were acceptable by the seller, and the deal closed, said Knudsen. “It basically boiled down to the seller wanting to move the property now and both sides working towards a number that all parties were happy with. Even though we didn’t get near the listing price, the sales price still shows the ability for a top-tier New Orleans home to get such a high dollar amount in the market,” said Knudsen. At $6 million, the LaLaurie Mansion is the second highest-priced, single-family residential home sold in the French Quarter over the last five years. In 2019, 620 Ursulines Ave. sold for $6.9 million, after more than a year on the market and experiencing a price drop from $8.25 million. “It’s the highest single sale that I have been a part of in my 18-year career,” said Knudsen. “It’s been a pleasure both marketing and showing the property and being a first-hand witness to the love and investment that my client has put into the home to maintain and restore such a piece of historical significance to our city.” The new buyer of the LaLaurie Mansion is an out-of-state buyer who wishes to remain private, said sales agent Elizabeth Novit, with RE/MAX Commercial. “I primarily do commercial, working with national and international groups coming to New Orleans and who have interest in expanding their business here or building their footprint in our amazing city. I met this client through a mutual colleague, and he was enamored by this breathtaking property, in the historic French Quarter of all places, and he is ready be ensconced in New Orleans,” said Novit. Novit added: “You can’t live in the city and not be familiar with the lore of the LaLaurie Mansion. And to hear all the stories and relationships people have with the home is fascinating. But to experience the impressive architectural features and restorations of the home first-hand, from the millwork to the top-notch crown molding to the venetian plaster walls and the actual marble fireplaces, it’s all a stunning property. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and a privilege to be a part of this transaction.” At the LaLaurie Mansion, the main house (three stories with a four-story service wing) begins with double parlors, a billiard room, a guest room suite, and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar. Ascending the spiral central stairwell to the second floor reveals another set of double parlors, a powder room, a grand dining room, and a spacious kitchen. The mansion also includes wings with two independent apartments and two bedroom suites. At the heart of the property lies a French Quarter brick courtyard. The property has off-street garage parking with space for two large vehicles, secured by an electric gate on Governor Nicholls. One of the highlights is the enormous wrap-around balcony/galleries accessible from original triple-hung windows, offering views of the French Quarter. The third floor features three luxurious bedroom suites, including a red lacquered primary suite with a speakeasy accessible through a hidden bathroom door. There is a French Quarter roof top deck offering 360-degree views of the city. “The rooftop deck is breathtaking. The 360-degree views of the city, and the breeze and wind gust from the river up there is nothing I have ever seen in a residential home,” said Knudsen. “You can step out and feel the French Quarter and New Orleans charm from the galleries and rooftop deck, and then step back into the privacy of like living in a castle or use the space to entertain for guests. It offers a wide range of lifestyles.” Other high priced home sales in the past week: Address: 320 Audubon St., New Orleans, 70118 Sales price: $1,607,500 List price: $1,650,000 Date sold: Oct. 24 Days on Market: 58  Listing and sales agent: Rachael Kansas, RE/MAX N.O. Properties An Uptown New Orleans home, one block from Audubon Park, at 320 Audubon St. sold for $1,607,500 on Oct. 24. The home, built in 1915 and renovated by Michael Carbine, features 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms, and 3,230 square feet of living space. Classic Uptown New Orleans home features formal living and dining rooms with draperies and original floors; gourmet kitchen with Wolf & Subzero appliances and an eat-in breakfast area with French doors to a covered back porch; spacious den with a built-in bar and large picture windows overlooking the rear patio space and fountain; and primary suite with a marble bath and walk-in closet. Lush landscaping around the entire property, including privacy trees surrounding the patio; upstairs laundry room; reverse osmosis purified water system in the kitchen; ultraviolet water cleaning system for the whole home; updated A/C systems with whole home dehumidifier; most windows were recently replaced with double insulated new wood-clad windows; rear shed offers extra storage; gated parking; brand new roof; and whole home generator.   Address: 504 Twin River Dr., Covington, 70433 Sales price: $1,550,000 List price: $1,695,000 Date sold: Oct. 25 Days on Market: 709  Listing agents: Alice McNeely and Stevie Mack, McNeely Mack Properties, Latter & Blum | Compass Sales agent: Joann Lawson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred A Covington home in the gated Maple Ridge subdivision at 504 Twin River Dr. sold for $1.55 million on Oct. 25. The home, built in 2012, features 3 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms, and 3,801 square feet of living space. On an acre of landscaped grounds, the home features rift-cut 6″ wood floors; 12′ ceilings; high efficiency windows; custom lighting and moldings throughout; great room with walls of glass, built-ins and fireplace; formal dining room; chef’s kitchen with breakfast room, Subzero refrigerator, two Bosch dishwashers, a 6-burner Wolf cooktop with griddle, a warming drawer, a Subzero 146 bottle built-in wine cooler, Calcutta gold counters and backsplash, two islands and double sinks, custom high-end wood-mode cabinetry, and walk-in pantry; primary suite has a superior closet with abundant built-ins, and a spacious bath with limestone counters and heated floors, a coffered ceiling, an oversized shower with multiple shower heads and a soaker tub; and each bedroom is en-suite and on a separate wing and all baths are either marble, travertine, or limestone. Outdoor cabana features Peacock pavers, outdoor kitchen with wood fired pizza oven, grill, burner and two sinks, and additional air conditioned cabana kitchen; a 3,000-plus square foot walk-up access conditioned attic space can easily be converted to living space; spray foam insulation in home and cabana; three-car garage with workshop, cabinets, shelves, benches, and epoxy flooring – third bay is climate controlled; extensive landscaping with underground drainage system (600’ of subsurface drainage); automated lighting system and zoned surround sound AV system indoor and outdoor; whole house generator; and whole house dehumidifier.   Information provided by Kelleye Rhein & Stephan Mock of Reve Realtors.