Native Parisian John Davis moved to New Orleans in 1809. His exposure to French opera and entertainment led him to build one of the first major theaters in the city. The original structure, designed by famed architect Benjamin Latrobe, burned in 1816 after being opened for less than a year.

Davis worked with architect William Brand to rebuild the current structure and it re-opened to great fanfare. It is uncertain whether the second ballroom was constructed based on Latrobe's original designs.

For the next 40 years, Davis' Orleans Ballroom and adjoining theatre entertained citizens of New Orleans with grand European style productions. Davis' operations helped to establish French Opera in America and he expanded his operations to include European gaming halls and restaurants.

Unfortunately the Civil War all but ended the opulent New Orleans society developed during the antebellum period and Davis was forced to sell the property in 1873.

In 1881, the Sisters of the Holy Family, an order of black nuns devoted to teaching, acquired the property for a motherhouse and school.

Finally, in 1964, the sisters, pressed by a need to expand the facilities, sold the property to hotel interests. New additions replace some of the structures built by the nuns, but the old Orleans Ballroom remains.