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.

Tags: Agent, French Quarter, New Orleans, Sotheby's International Realty