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Louisiana State Bank Building

Architect
Benjamin Henry Latrobe
Style
Federal
City
New Orleans, LA
Collection
the french quarter
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The Louisiana State Bank Building at Royal and Conti Streets was the last building designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a nationally prominent architect who died of yellow fever in New Orleans before it was completed in 1820. It was raised for the Louisiana State Bank, founded in 1818 as the first bank chartered in the new state of Louisiana, with a design competition determining its final form. The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

the building

A bank behind blind arcades. The two-story building has stuccoed brick walls rising to a parapet around a low-pitch hipped roof. Its taller first floor carries rounded blind arches above the window and door openings, the main entrance is recessed, and wrought iron balconies wrap both street-facing facades on Royal and Conti.

Life after banking. The building later took the name Manheim Galleries from a longtime tenant, and more recently has operated as an event venue called Latrobe's, keeping its architect's name attached to the address.

the style

Federal (c. 1780–1830): Refined American Georgian: oval fanlights over doors, slender proportions, and delicate garland ornament.

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the architect

Benjamin Henry Latrobe was a nationally prominent American architect; the Louisiana State Bank Building was his last design, completed after he died of yellow fever in New Orleans while it was under construction.

significance

The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1983. It has since been known as the Manheim Galleries building, after a longtime tenant, and more recently as Latrobe's, an event venue named for its architect.

nearby

All 38 buildings in New Orleans