The LaLaurie Mansion

The LaLaurie Mansion a home in the French Quarter of New Orleans with an interesting and ghostly past was sold yesterday by Dorian M. Bennett (Listing Agent) and Patrick Knudsen (Selling Agent). Both agents are part of the Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty brokerage firm in New Orleans.

The LaLaurie Mansion at 1140 Royal Street has long been a favorite on the ghost tours through the French Quarter – it’s beauty and grandeur unsurpassed. This home was originally built for French royalty and all the details of this period show in it.

It has had a legendary history which has been written of in George Washington Cables, Lefcadio Hearn, and Llyele Saxton’s books of the French Quarter and has lived a lustrous life housing some of the most magnificent art collections over time due to the owners who have taken custodial ownership of this mansion.

 

Nestled at the end of a lane called “Charleston” sits this charming 2 story brick house with side garden entrance into large inviting rooms with wood burning fireplace and hard wood floors throughout main floor.  The dining area opens into a fully fitted out gourmet kitchen with all dream appliances including a pot filler over the viking range.  It has 3 spacious bedrooms and 3 lovely baths and views of the bayou from the rear that Bienville used to map out Louisiana while navigating it in his day.  The feature of features including the 2 car garage with electric door is the elevator which makes laundry day fun and perfect!!  Plenty of closets and absolutely lovely to live in and enjoy life in a perfectly lovely secure golfing community of note – Santa Maria.  Off old Perkins and Highland for those who know the neighborhoods of most desirability. Call or email my realtor rep today – Diana Sutherland - realtor@deesutherland.com - Office: (225) 663-2015 – Cell: (225) 266-4959

By Dorian M. Bennett

Within the first 9 years of my life my family and I had lived in 5 different state and finally ended up in Louisiana.  Once here, we declared this was home, so I consider myself a New Orleanian by choice, if not heritage.  New Orleans has a continental flavor that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.  Our history, architecture, art, antiques, food, festivals and zest for life are without compare.

Starting out I was a pre-school teacher for almost a decade, teaching 3 and 4 year olds.  Although I loved teaching, I decided to try my hand at other venues.  Since that time I have worked in both banking and real estate, often in combination.  My real estate career started in 1984.  During the early 80’s I worked as a salesperson on the Westbank of New Orleans.  In the late 80’s I was involved in the REO Department of First National Bank of Jefferson, during a time when banks had hundreds of repossessed properties on their books.  In January 1991 I came to work for Dorian M. Bennett.  Once again I declared this home and have been with Dorian’s company ever since. 

My start as a teacher has made me feel that education is the key to both good salesmanship and good leadership.  Knowledge is the key to better service to our customers and clients, as well as being a valuable asset as a leader within an organization.  Because of this belief I have attained designations as a Master Graduate of Real Estate Institute, Seller’s Representative Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist, GREEN specialist and recently ePro, which helped me attain more knowledge about all of the electronic devices at our disposal in our field.

We have a dynamic group of real estate professionals as well as an invaluable staff in our company that I am very proud to work alongside.

Dorian M. Bennett

Dorian Bennett has long been a patron and supporter of the arts. This self-described “aesthete” majored in Fine Arts and Russia while in college at Tulane University and the College of William and Mary. He is classically trained in piano and played the clarinet in the school band. Additionally he enjoys painting and pottery in the studio behind his house.

Born in Hammond, Louisiana, Dorian has lived in New Orleans for over twenty years and now considers himself a native. He was unsure about what to do with his degrees when he graduated from Tulane. He knew that he did not want to translate Russian for the government and he did not want to work for an art gallery. A friend suggested that someone with Dorian’s personal skills and appreciation for antiques, architecture and preservation would be ideally suited for the real estate business. Dorian followed this advice and a career was born.

What a distinguished career it has been! Prior to opening his own firm, Dorian M. Bennett Inc., in October of 1984, Dorian worked for 3 agencies honing his skills and winning numerous sales awards. Dorian also serves as New Orleans “Real Estate Agent to the Stars!” He has sold local real estate to such notables as Lenny Kravitz, Taylor Hackford, Jimmy Buffett and Zachary Richard. He even sold House of Blues its Decatur Street property. Through his work with the New Orleans Film Commission and by word-of-mouth, his name has been spread around the Hollywood community. As a result, when stars come to town they most often call Dorian.

Dorian’s appreciation of architecture and preservation is not limited to his professional career. He received a restoration award for the renovation of his office at 2340 Dauphine Street. His residence in the “Bend of Bourbon Street” also has a lot of history behind it. Built in 1825, it has been home to the son of Louisiana’s first Governor – Claiborne, and more recently, Clay Shaw of JFK conspiracy theory fame. It was also featured in the book House in the Bend of Bourbon, by Terry Fletrich. Dorian says that he has always been attracted to unique and special homes, “As special as I can afford, anyway!”

Civic activities play a prominent role in Dorian’s life. In addition to his work with the Jazz and Heritage Foundation as a board member, Dorian was on the Board of the Contemporary Arts Center, past president of the Friends of Contemporary Art of the New Orleans Museum of Art, on the board of the New Orleans Opera, and the board of trustees on the New Orleans Museum of Art.

While Dorian was in New York for his daughter Delia’s audition with Merrymount – he decided to go visit the Sotheby’s Auction House and look at their Real Estate Wall which the major collectors of the world have to pass on their way into the auction house.  Here Dorian is pointing to one of our listings featured there – The Lafitte Guest House. In the heart of the French Quarter at 1003 Bourbon at the corner of St. Philip Street sits this circa 1849 French-style mansion originally built as a private residence, now used as a luxury boutique hotel filled with fine reproduction furnishings that have been collected from around the world to ensure unsurpassed authenticity. Each of its 14 rooms with private bath is spacious and uniquely decorated; as well as many having their own private balconies which offer spectacular views.

is unique property has endless potential for any investor, including combining it with other small hotels available for purchase that could be bundled with it to create a more effective use of marketing dollars, or returning it to its former glory as a single family home!

For the third time in 8 months two of our agents Ernesto Caldeira and David A. Smith made it to the highest priced home in the metro area of New Orleans! Click here to read more!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Georgia Saucier

2340 Dauphine Street

New Orleans, LA 70117, USA

504.944.3605

LOCAL REALTORS ACHIEVE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS GREEN DESIGNATION

New Orleans, LA – Cindy Flannery, Cheryl Gautier and Georgia Saucier with Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty have been awarded the National Association of REALTORS (NAR’s) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.  

These agents achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, they were trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost of benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.

“As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,” said Dick Gaylord, NAR’s immediate past President. NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As NAR Green Designees, these agents have gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for New Orleans. For more information about Cindy Flannery, Cheryl Gautier and Georgia Saucier please visit www.dbsir.com or e-mail info@dbsir.com

For more information about NAR’s newest designation, visit www.greenresourcecouncil.org

Click to view the brochure of  Third Annual Woodville Antiques Show and Sale 

Ernesto Caldeira and David Smith, two agents with Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty, cordially invite you to the Third Annual Woodville Antiques Show and Sale. Both agents live in and are proud supporters of Woodville.

The Third Annual Woodville Antiques Show and Sale features selected dealers from nine states! It runs from November 13th thru November 15th, 2009 with admission being only 5$. Please see above link for brochure and more information.  

We look forward to seeing all of you at the Woodville Antiques Show and Sale at Holly Grove Plantation, 367 US Highway 61, Woodville, Mississippi on November 13, 14 and 15, 2009.  For more information please visit www.historicwoodville.org

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Wendy Wise

 Local Real Estate Agent Earns e-PRO^® Certification

 New Orleans, LA – Georgia Saucier of Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty has successfully completed the e-PRO Technology Certification Program course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered by the National Association of REALTORS^®.

The e-PRO^Ò certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

“Today, with the internet, everything is searchable by the consumer, from information about homes and neighborhoods, to lenders and real estate agents, and how the buying and selling process works,” said Georgia Saucier of Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty. “Our industry is an information based business.  How we conduct it through technology will have an impact on how consumers reach their real estate objectives.”

With more than 80% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO^Ò certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today’s buyer and seller.

The exclusive e-PRO^Ò certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS^Ò stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO^Ò certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services.  Consumers can identify the e-PRO^Ò through the exclusive e-PRO^Ò Internet Professional logo.

“I have been witness to a lot of charges in the real estate industry since I first started in 1984,” Georgia Saucier said.  “As a professional it is important to maintain a level of knowledge that matches our consumers’.  Most of today’s consumers begin their real estate research online, prior to ever contacting an agent.  So it only makes sense that they would want to work with a REALTOR® who can meet their needs through current technology.”

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by the San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade^®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools including Social Media and Web 2.0 instruction. Graduates use the skills they’ve acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Georgia Saucier at Georgia@dbsir.com or call 504-944-3605.

David Smith

Doug Hary and David Smith have recently opened the shuttered Pan Asia Restaurant located at 500 St. Charles Ave in the Parc St. Charles Hotel as a casual cafe the Central Business District. 

The breakfast menu is a traditional hotel breakfast of eggs, omelets, build your own scrambles, waffles, and on the healthy side homemade granola and Irish steel cut oatmeal. The lunch runs daily specials, a fresh fish of the day, freshly made salads, an assortment of sandwiches including a very tempting Fried Green Tomato BLT and Ahi Burger. Entrees that have already been a hit are Grilled Pork Chop over hash and a spicy meatloaf and gravy with smashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

Cafe at the Square offers full service on and off site catering, evening events at the restaurant. The liquor license is in application process as is out door seating with wonderful views of St. Charles Ave. streetcar line and beautiful Lafayette Square.

Hary and Smith also own and operate the popu1ar Between the Bread, a deli and coffee bar right down the street from the new Cafe at the Square www.betweenthebreadnola.com 504.324.5304.Smith is also a partner with Jarred Zeringue at EAT at 900 Dumaine Street in the French Quarter www.eatnola.com 504.522.7222.

Monday through Friday

7 am until 10 30 am Breakfast

10 30 am until 2 pm Lunch

Saturday and Sunday

8 am until 2 pm Brunch

Cafe at the Square

504.304.7831 phone

504.495.2387 cell

504.304.8345 :fax

www.cafeatthesquare.com  (in the works)

Email: dasalpha@aol.com