Historic Italianate Mansion That Housed a New Orleans Boarding School Is Listed for $3.1 Million—After Being Restored to Its Former Glory

A pre-Civil War Italianate mansion in New Orleans that once operated as a young women’s boarding school has come on the market for $3.1 million—after it was restored to its former glory as a luxurious family residence.

The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom abode has had many lives since it was built in 1856. The original owner, E.T. Robinson, commissioned architect Louis E. Reynolds to design the extraordinary mansion.

In 1884, the property was handed over to women’s rights activist Sophie B. Wright, who used it to run Home Institute, an English and classical school for young women and children. It would later become the city’s first free night school.

In 1914, the 6,400-square-foot structure was transformed yet again, this time into the Catherine Club, a boarding house providing young women with the necessary training and scholarships to help them find jobs.

The club’s motto was “I serve,” and the mission statement was “The city’s big sister to the worthy girl.”

The Catherine Club closed its doors in the 1970s, and the property was returned to its original state—as a beautiful family home.

Today, the property is one of just two remaining original homes on Coliseum Square—and is the last one to have remained as a single-family dwelling.

“After the Catherine Club, it was transformed into a single-family residence,” says listing agent Eleanor Farnsworth, of Latter & Blum/Compass. “This is the only original single-family home in the square as the other one was turned into condos.”

The historic estate is centrally located near the Arts District, Central Business District, and French Quarter.

The sellers, Terri and Mark Powers, purchased the property for $2.05 million in 2017 and spent the past eight years meticulously restoring the home.

“They had to restucco every single floor and remodeled everything from top to bottom,” Farnsworth notes. “It’s picture-perfect now.”

The couple uncovered a fair few surprises during their renovation.

“They uncovered a fireplace in the laundry room and also found a centuries-old bullet during the renovation,” she says. “The back house collapsed, so they rebuilt it as a one-bedroom, 600-square-foot guesthouse.”

Historic details include a grand mahogany staircase, ornate moldings and millwork, and preserved hardwood flooring.

“There are 16-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors, which is very rare, as well as four private balconies,” Farnsworth notes.

“The dining room also has these incredible trompe l’oeil fresco paintings that have been preserved. The living room has a 19th-century neoclassical crystal chandelier and marble mantel with brass mirror.”

Floor-to-ceiling windows found throughout the home flood the space with natural light. A chef’s kitchen has been modernized for entertaining. The sleek space features built-in seating, extra-thick Calacatta gold marble countertops, high-end appliances, and custom cabinetry.

A second staircase from the kitchen leads to two bedrooms at the back of the home.

“It’s a great property for entertaining out-of-town guests,” she says. “There is a lighted fountain in the front of the house, and the views of Coliseum Square at night are just spectacular.”

The property has a saltwater pool that can also be accessed from the guesthouse.

“The next buyer will be someone who wants to live in a historic area and appreciates the beauty and charm of owning a historic residence,” Farnsworth says.

“It could be used as either a primary or secondary residence. This home has so much history and character, and is very livable and elegant, and close to all of the beautiful private schools.”