Famous, haunted New Orleans mansion once owned by actor Nicolas Cage is now for sale

One of New Orleans' most famous historic homes and best-known haunted houses — the Lalaurie Mansion at 1140 Royal St. — is on the market for $10.25 million.

That makes the 10,300-square-foot home with its eight bedrooms, private speakeasy and 2,000-bottle wine cellar one of the city's most expensive properties at $995 per square foot.

Houston energy trader Michael Whalen has owned the nearly 200-year-old Empire-style mansion since 2010, when he bought it for $2.1 million. He spent more than twice that much renovating it into a showplace, which he used for weekend visits to the city and as a place to entertain friends, according to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal.

Now he's selling it and already has a buyer. Local broker Patrick Knudsen, with Latter and Blum | Compass, said before the exclusive property even hit the market Thursday an out-of-state investor heard about it "through the grapevine" and made an offer that Whalen accepted.

"It's certainly good news and I hope it turns into amazing news," said Knudsen, who did not disclose the amount of the offer. "I've been in real estate 18 years and know not to count any chickens before they're hatched."

Storied past, 'sexy burlesque present'

In a city of famous structures, the Lalaurie Mansion stands out because of its infamous past. It was built in 1831 and owned by wealthy socialite Delphine Macarty Lalaurie and her third husband, Dr. Louis Lalaurie. The couple was well known for the lavish parties they would throw for New Orleans' most prominent families.

But in 1834, a fire revealed that Delphine Lalaurie had brutally abused enslaved people at the home, torturing, starving and chaining them. Lalaurie fled the city with her family. Later, the bodies of murdered slaves were found on the property, according to reports at the time 

The gruesome story has been recounted in countless books and has made the home a stop on every haunted history tour in the city. It even inspired a season of the FX show "American Horror Story."

Over the years, it has been rebuilt, added onto and used for many purposes, including as a school and apartments. It was briefly owned by actor Nicholas Cage, who lost it to foreclosure in 2009.

Whalen bought it a year later and hired Houston designer Katie Scott, a native of New Orleans, to complete his lavish renovation.

In 2018, Scott told Southern Home she wanted to create a "sexy, burlesque, French Quarter feel — rich in color with modern flourishes.” 

A class by itself

Today, the main house is three stories with a four-story service wing. In addition to the many bedrooms and speakeasy, the house has two sets of double parlors, a billiard room, wrap around balconies and a rare, private roof top deck with a 360-degree view of the city.

It also has a two-car garage and, of course, an iconic French Quarter courtyard.

In a tight real estate market, which has seen houses sitting on the market for twice as long as they were two years ago, it might seem like the Lalaurie Mansion would be a tough sell. But Knudsen says the luxury market is unique and not nearly as vulnerable to cost pressures as other segments. 

"Increased insurance rates, higher taxes, mortgage rates, all these things play a huge role in somewhat dampening the general market but really have no effect on the high, high end," he said.

At $10.25 million, the home is the second-most expensive residential property for sale locally behind shipping magnate Boysie Bollinger's 4,300-square-foot penthouse suite on the 30th floor of the Four Seasons. The asking price is $19.5 million.

"They're two totally different types of properties," Knudsen said. "I am certain that Lalaurie Mansion will set a record for a New Orleans historic home."