Garden District’s lavish gardens, oak-lined streets, and well-preserved architectural styles have graced many films.
The impressive pedigree of Hollywood South created a cinematic legacy that continues in 2024.
This picturesque neighborhood of enchanting mansions is the darling of Hollywood South. It is also a thriving shopping and dining destination.
Created after the Louisiana Purchase to house wealthy American arrivals, the Garden District has retained its magnificent Italianate, Greek Revival, and Victorian architecture.
If you buy a home in the Garden District, you’ll be living in a quiet, leafy residential neighborhood replete with historic homes and pristine gardens, fine-dining destinations, casual eateries, landmarks, and the retail heaven that occupies several blocks of Magazine Street.
Hollywood South loves to film in this area. Its lavish gardens, oak-lined streets, and well-preserved architectural styles have provided backdrops for countless movies and TV series.
Historic Garden District Spots and Their Cinematic Roles
Buckner Mansion (1410 Jackson Avenue)
Fans of the anthology TV series “American Horror Story” will recognize Buckner Mansion from season three and season eight of the series, where it appeared as Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies. In 1857, Kentucky-born cotton factor Henry Sullivan Buckner asked architect Lewis E. Reynolds to build a mansion for him that would rival that of his business partner. On the corner of Jackson Avenue and Coliseum Street, the grand two-story structure includes a stone and cast-iron front gate featuring lanterns, a wraparound balcony, and a columned veranda.
Brevard-Clapp-Rice House (1239 First Street)
One of the Garden District’s finest mansions in the Greek Revival style, Brevard-Clapp-Rice House was commissioned by the merchant Albert Brevard. This opulent mansion features mahogany staircases, arches and washstands, an interior that includes glass imported from France, and high-end marble mantels.
The mansion has not appeared on film. But it was the home of the beloved queen of supernatural literature, the late Anne Rice, who lived in the Garden District. It was also the setting for her 1990 novel The Witching Hour. (The TV show “Mayfair Witches” is based on the book series.)
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
The aboveground Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, in the heart of the Garden District between Washington, Sixth, Prytania, and Coliseum Streets, is the oldest of the seven city-operated cemeteries. Among its interesting society tombs are the tomb of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the tomb of the Home for Destitute Orphan Boys. It also has over a thousand family tombs.
The iconic cemetery has served as a backdrop in many productions, including the movies “Double Jeopardy” and “Dracula 2000” and music videos by LeAnn Rimes and the New Kids on the Block.
The tomb for the Mayfair witches in The Witching Hour by Anne Rice is a combination of the Lafayette and Jefferson fireman tombs. To promote her novel Memnoch the Devil, Rice once staged a jazz funeral during which she rode through the cemetery in a glass-enclosed coffin. The tomb of the vampire Lestat in “Interview with a Vampire” may have been inspired by the cast-iron Karstendiek family tomb.
Notable Films and TV Series Shot in the Garden District
Many films, television shows, music videos, and commercials have also been shot on location in the top New Orleans neighborhood.
“Mayfair Witches” (2023-present)
Locations in the Garden District: Soria-Creel House, 3102 Prytania Street; The Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Avenue
Based on Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches trilogy, this TV series stars Alexandra Daddario as Dr. Rowan Fielding, who keeps having run-ins with the supernatural. Expect to see filming for the second season in New Orleans in 2024. The Mayfair House is actually the Soria-Creel House on the corner of Prytania Street and Eighth Street of the Garden District. Dr. Fielding also stays at The Pontchartrain Hotel.
“Your Honor” (2020-2023)
Locations in the Garden District: Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Avenue; University District; St. Charles Avenue streetcar; Lafayette Cemetery No. 1., 1400 Washington Avenue
Showtime’s limited series is about a New Orleans judge played by Bryan Cranston whose son is involved in a hit-and-run accident that kills the son of a prominent mob boss. Filming locations in the city range from the university area of Uptown to the Lower Ninth Ward and notably include Commander’s Palace, the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
“Happy Death Day” (2017)
Location in the Garden District: Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Avenue
This horror flick used several locations on the Loyola University campus, including Marquette Hall and Veritas Hall, a 20,000-square-foot mansion built in 1906.
“Scream Queens” (2015-2016)
Locations in the Garden District: Tulane University and Loyola University
This slasher-comedy FX series starring Emma Roberts and Jamie Lee Curtis filmed its first season in New Orleans. Since the show was shot at Loyola University and Tulane University, the show includes shots of several classrooms, the Lavin-Bernick Center dining hall, Newcomb Quad, and Richardsonian Romanesque Gibson Hall, all on the Tulane campus.
“12 Years a Slave” (2013)
Location in the Garden District: Columns, 3811 St. Charles Avenue
This Academy Award-winning film portrays the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in antebellum New Orleans. In addition to Madam John’s Legacy House in the French Quarter, the film features the iconic Columns Hotel in the scene in which Solomon Northup is duped and kidnapped.
“The Originals” (2013-2018)
Location in the Garden District: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
The supernatural spinoff from the hit series The Vampire Diaries follows the vampire-werewolf siblings who are the first vampires in history. Viewers catch glimpses of the French Quarter and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
“American Horror Story” (2011-present)
Locations in the Garden District: Buckner Mansion, 1410 Jackson Avenue; Camellia Grill, 626 S. Carrollton Avenue
Seasons three and eight of this cult favorite TV series were filmed at the Buckner Mansion, known as Miss Robicheaux’s Academy in the show.
The Camellia Grill diner was used as a set in an episode of the show’s fourth season, “Freak Show,” in which Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) recruits Jimmy Darling (Evan Peters).
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008)
Location in the Garden District: The Nolan Mansion, 2707 Coliseum Street
Right around the corner from Commander’s Palace restaurant, this 7,800 square-foot mansion, built in 1832, has four bedrooms, a music room, a library, and a reception hall. Filming took place in virtually every room of the house, home to three generations of the Nolan family.
“Déjà Vu” (2006)
Location in the Garden District: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this science fiction thriller stars Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Jim Caviezel, and Val Kilmer. One of the scenes takes place at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
“Double Jeopardy” (1999)
Location in the Garden District: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Starring Ashley Judd, Bruce Greenwood, and Tommy Lee Jones, “Double Jeopardy” features a scene in which Judd’s character, Libby, meets her estranged husband Nick (Greenwood) at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on the assumption that she may be getting custody of her son Matty. But Nick locks her in a crypt.
“Interview With the Vampire” (1994)
Location in the Garden District: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Like the 2022 AMC series, the 1994 movie was filmed in and around New Orleans. Other locations include San Francisco, London, and Paris. Although many of the New Orleans locations were not in the Garden District, one scene was shot at the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. This is where Lestat de Lioncourt, played by Tom Cruise, turns Louis de Pointe du Lac, played by Brad Pitt, into a vampire while he is visiting the graves of his wife and child.
Location in the Garden District: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
This thriller starring Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts employs many New Orleans locations, including Antoine’s Restaurant and the Supreme Court building in the French Quarter. One scene takes place at the Garden District cemetery.
We invite you to explore the Garden District’s cinematic charm and rich film history in person. And to become a part of that history by buying a home in the neighborhood.
For those captivated by the Garden District’s allure, now is the opportune time to consider making it not just a film destination but your home. While the real estate market reflects broader trends with fluctuations, the Garden District maintains its timeless charm. As we transition into 2024, Satsuma Real Estate remains optimistic, anticipating a resurgence in the real estate landscape. The Federal Reserve’s potential interest rate cut and the seasonal uptick in listings create a promising environment for both buyers and sellers.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home in this cinematic haven, our dedicated Realtors are here to guide you. With their expertise, you can navigate the market, make informed decisions, and turn your dream of owning a piece of Garden District history into a reality. Don’t just witness the magic on screen—live it by becoming a cherished part of the Garden District’s narrative. Contact our Realtors today, and let the enchantment unfold as you step into your dream home in this cinematic paradise.