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Unique New Orleans Homes: The Pagoda House

New Orleans boasts many unique architectural gems, but the 'Pagoda House' on Napoleon Avenue stands out, shrouded in mystery and inspiration.

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BY Alissa Mahoney

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Unique New Orleans Homes: The Pagoda House

Blogger’s Note:  There are many unique and wonderful architectural moments in New Orleans, but one of this blogger’s favorites is the “Pagoda House” on Napoleon Avenue.  Quite of a mystery to unravel as to whom the original owner might be as well as the inspiration to reference traditional Japanese architecture.

Pagoda House side-view on Napoleon Ave New Orleans, La.
Pagoda House: 2037 Napoleon Ave, built in 1904 by Frank P. Gravelt & Co. for Raoul Vallon, cost over $15,000 and remained in the Vallon family until 1925.

Asian inspiration in the heart of New Orleans

Built by a well known member of the early 1900’s high society, the Pagoda House was the result of a good friend’s inspiration. The home was the brain child of insurance broker, Raoul Vallon. Vallon was high society, a member of the Rex Organization and a member of the elite Bayou St. John Fencing Club. The idea of the unique design for the Vallon family home came from long time friend Lafcadio Hearn. He had recently moved to Japan from New Orleans. He thought the Pagoda design would be excellent for the hot summers of New Orleans. The style is key for ventilation. Achieved catching breezes and letting heat out of the belvedere at the top of the house. The extended roof lines also help provide shade and shelter from sun and rain. The pagoda-style upturned corners of the red tile roof were traditionally said to keep out evil spirits. The home was built for what may seem like a novel sum of $15,000. However, fast forward to 2016 and that would have been $400,000 building cost!

A 1948 historic photo of Pagoda House.
1948: The iconic Pagoda House at 2037 Napoleon Ave, a unique blend of Japanese-Creole architecture, built in 1904 and once home to the Vallon family.

The Vallon Family owned the property until 1925 when it was sold to an importer, Eduardo Massa and his wife. They embraced the oriental theme of the home. They decorated it with teak wood furniture, fine china, silk tapestries, and inlaid tiles – gathered during their trips to Europe.

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