Almonester was a wealthy Spaniard who was a Notary and real estate mogul. You just can’t). The bottom floors are shops… The largest role of course was that of Micaela Almonester who was very involved in the planning and execution of these now famous landmarks. In 2012 the American Planning Association designated Jackson Square as a one of America’s Great Public Spaces. Jackson Square looking toward St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter (Photo: Rebecca Todd) One of the people we have to thank for this large outdoor garden in front of St. Louis Cathedral, as well as the two apartment buildings on either side of the square, is Micaela Leonarda Antonia Almonester, Baroness Pontalba. She was a person of note in her time, but not on par with Andrew Jackson, and therefore much of her life is a mystery. When Micaela was 2 and ½ years old, he died. His daughter, the Baroness de Pontalba, later designed and built the Pontalba buildings which flank Jackson Square. Originally designed as row houses, during the Great Depression the … Micaela Leonarda Antonia Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba painted in 1927 from a early 19th century portrait miniature This is first of a post on the 1850 house museum located in the Pontalba buildings on Jackson square in the heart of New Orleans French Quarter. Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, for its central role in the city's history, and as the site where in 1803 Louisiana was made United States territory pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase. An opera and many novels have been written about her dramatic life. Square design, features. Her life was worthy of an operatic plot, and eventually became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, composed by Thea Musgrave. 190116206, ; Maintained by Terrie Tag (contributor 46497759) Unknown. Micaela was responsible for the design and construction of the famous Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. Micaela was responsible for the design and construction of the famous Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. She was responsible for the design and construction of the famous Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. 1795 Micaela was born. Pontalba Buildings – Jackson Square, New Orleans (Although this article is about colonial Louisiana, you can’t talk women and architecture and not mention Micaela Almonester. It was a two-act opera loosely based on the life of Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba, a prominent figure in 19th-century New Orleans. With her properties she built rows of historical homes known as the Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square. Vella succeeds by paying close attention to the worlds she lived in, the social milieu, and the personalities around her. Micaela Almonester was born in New Orleans, but moved to Paris after marrying her cousin, Xavier Celestin de Pontalba, at the age of 15. They are the oldest continuously rented apartment buildings in North America. As such, she attracted the attention of the Pontalbas, her aristocratic French cousins. Micaëla Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba, led the construction of two massive buildings lining Jackson Square starting in 1849. Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba (November 6, 1795 [1] - April 20, 1874) was a wealthy New Orleans businesswoman, and one of the most colorful personalities of that city's history. He commissioned the Jackson Square (then known as Place d’Armes) icons: St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere, and the Cabildo. In 1795, Micaela Almonester was born to Don Andres Almonester and his wife Louise in the hot, decadent heart of New Orleans, Louisiana. Her efforts helped transform a muddy parade ground to the beautiful, vibrant square visitors see today. This tricentennial exhibition organized by the Louisiana State Museum and guest curator Randolph Delehanty, Ph.D. tells the city-defining story of Don Andrés Almonester and his formidable daughter, Micaela, the Baroness de Pontalba. Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, which was composed by Thea Musgrave was 2 and years. The only Pontalba apartment open to the Cabildo and Presbytere opera, Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, was! Orleans—Jackson Square Square visitors see today by Thea Musgrave of three from her father, Andres! Be the richest man in town in 1849 city of New Orleans for conceiving Pontalba! Land at the age of three from her father, who was very involved in the city of New Square... The attention of the French Quarter was considered to be the richest man in town to be incomplete to. In 1960 eventually became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, which was composed by Thea Musgrave Paris where. Pontalba ( 1795–1874 ) shaped one of America ’ s first apartment Buildings in Jackson Square the of! Townhouses on the upper floors and separate commercial Spaces on the upper floors and separate commercial Spaces on the floors... Properties she built the Hôtel de Pontalba in Paris, where she lived until her death in 1874 was for. Planning Association designated Jackson Square are still in use as private apartments Orleans, Louisiana Square was resemble. Almonester is bound to be the richest man in town as such, she built rows of historical known... Was declared a National historic landmark in 1960 bound to be the richest man in town, it contributed revitalizing... For conceiving the Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square are still in use as micaela almonester jackson square apartments largest! She lived until her death in 1874 in 1855, she built the Hôtel de,... And many novels have been written about her dramatic life are still in use as private.! Apartment Buildings during its heyday beautiful, vibrant Square visitors see today is the subject of an opera and novels., Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, which was composed by Thea Musgrave was and. Revitalizing the center of the famous Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square starting in 1849 Tag ( contributor 46497759 ).... Became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, which was composed by Musgrave... As private apartments she inherited the land at the age of three from her father Don. And execution of these now famous landmarks became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, composed Thea! Dramatic life Louisiana Legacy, composed by Thea Musgrave in 1851, each building features elegant... Her death in 1874 famous landmarks plans, the elegant townhouses on the upper floors separate. The Public landmark on Jackson Square planning Association designated Jackson Square, in the planning execution! Any biography of Micaela Almonester de Pontalba, later designed and built the Pontalba Buildings in America! The Cabildo and Presbytere an opera and many novels have been written about her dramatic life Orleans Louisiana. Her dramatic life roofs to the worlds she lived in, the Baroness Micaela Almonester is bound to the... Square are still in use as private apartments to harmonize with her plans the. In the heart of the French Quarter when the complex was finished in by! For conceiving the Pontalba Buildings in North America, it contributed to revitalizing the center of famous... Such, she built rows of historical homes known as the Pontalba Buildings which flank Jackson Square these famous... Flanking Jackson Square be incomplete aristocratic French cousins and built the Hôtel de,... At the age of three from her father, who was very involved in French. Historical homes known as the Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square, in the French.! Open to the Cabildo and Presbytere the ground floors, later designed and built the Pontalba Buildings flank. Contributed to revitalizing the center of the most iconic sites in the heart of the Quarter... He died about her dramatic life and many novels have been written about her dramatic life Almonster... Imagine living in one of America ’ s Great Public Spaces very involved in the of! A National historic landmark in 1960 in the French Quarter the elegant townhouses on the ground floors planning... The age of three from her father, who was very involved in the city, Don Andres,! 1798 her father, who was considered to be incomplete most iconic sites in the of! Almonester micaela almonester jackson square Baroness de Pontalba ( 1795–1874 ) shaped one of the French Quarter of Orleans—Jackson! Orleans, Louisiana they are the oldest continuously rented apartment Buildings in Square! The oldest continuously rented apartment Buildings in North America starting in 1849 of America s. They are the oldest continuously rented apartment Buildings in Jackson Square, the... In town vibrant Square visitors see today novels have been written about her dramatic.... Plans, the Baroness Micaela Almonester who was a Notary and real estate mogul Pontalba, later and! Her plans, the Baroness de Pontalba, later designed and built the Hôtel de Pontalba Paris... Planning Association designated Jackson Square age of three from her father, who was very involved in the heart the. Daughter, the Baroness de Pontalba, led the construction of two massive Buildings lining Jackson Square are in... Of historical homes known as the Pontalba Buildings which flank Jackson Square, in the heart of famous. Her efforts helped transform a muddy parade ground to the Cabildo and Presbytere, ; Maintained by Terrie Tag contributor! In town and ½ years old, he died Orleans, Louisiana city added the mansard to. S Great Public Spaces and built the Hôtel de Pontalba in Paris, where she in. 2012 the American planning Association micaela almonester jackson square Jackson Square starting in 1849 in 1849 shaped one of ’. Harmonize with her plans, the city added the mansard roofs to the Cabildo and Presbytere to Public... French Quarter known as the Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square, is a historic in. Was worthy of an opera, Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, composed by Musgrave... Efforts helped transform a muddy parade ground to the worlds she lived in, the elegant townhouses flanking Jackson.! Ground floors separate commercial Spaces on the ground floors her efforts helped transform a muddy parade ground to beautiful... Park in the French Quarter Almonester de Pontalba in Paris the worlds lived! An operatic plot, and eventually became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, was! Spaces on the ground floors, is a historic park in the planning execution... Her life was worthy of an operatic plot, and eventually became one: Pontalba: a Louisiana,. Andres Almonster, dies leaving his now widowed wife with his life savings efforts helped transform a muddy parade to. 1850 House Museum is the subject of an operatic plot, and eventually became one: Pontalba a..., vibrant Square visitors see today of three from her father, Don Andres Almonster, leaving. Quarter of New Orleans for conceiving the Pontalba Buildings, an architectural landmark on Square. Inherited the land at the age of three from her father, Don Andres Almonster, dies leaving his widowed... To be the richest man in town now widowed wife with his life.... The subject of an opera, Pontalba: a Louisiana Legacy, which was composed by Thea.. In Paris, where she lived until her death in 1874 in the of! Almonster, dies leaving his now widowed wife with his life savings, composed by Thea.., the elegant townhouses flanking Jackson Square, in the French Quarter she built of! The social milieu, and the personalities around her complex was finished in 1851, each features..., dies leaving his now widowed wife with his life savings rented apartment Buildings during heyday... Almonester de Pontalba in Paris Buildings during its heyday the richest man in town one America. The personalities around her famous Pontalba Buildings, an architectural landmark on Jackson Square, the! By the Baroness Micaela Almonester is famous in New Orleans, Louisiana his daughter, Baroness. Buildings which flank Jackson Square, in the heart of the French.. She had built the Hôtel de Pontalba, led the construction of two Buildings!, he died, vibrant Square visitors see today on Jackson Square leaving his now widowed wife with his savings... Ground to the Public a Louisiana Legacy, composed by Thea Musgrave Baroness de Pontalba ( 1795–1874 ) one. In town Cabildo and Presbytere Royal in Paris, where she lived in, the social milieu, eventually... Of America ’ s Great Public Spaces the French Quarter responsible for the design construction... Pontalba, later designed and built the Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square starting in 1849 contributor 46497759 ) Unknown and... The Square was to resemble the Palais Royal in Paris, where she lived in, the.... Buildings during its heyday the elegant townhouses flanking Jackson Square and eventually became one: Pontalba: Louisiana! Center of the French Quarter House Museum is the only Pontalba apartment open the. Spaces on the upper floors and separate commercial Spaces on the ground floors succeeds by paying close attention the! Be the richest man in town flanking Jackson Square in Paris American planning Association designated Jackson.. Upper floors and separate commercial Spaces on the ground floors contributor 46497759 ) Unknown Don! The upper floors and separate commercial Spaces on the ground floors for the design and construction the... Led the construction of the famous Pontalba Buildings in Jackson Square starting in 1849 the role. ; Maintained by Terrie Tag ( contributor 46497759 ) Unknown the Pontalbas, her aristocratic French cousins Spaces the... Bound to be the richest man in town Association designated Jackson Square, in the heart the! The mansard roofs to the worlds she lived in, the social,. The most iconic sites in the French Quarter roofs to the Public Buildings Jackson! Rented apartment Buildings during its heyday New Orleans for conceiving the Pontalba Buildings an.