The Pontalba buildings, recognized as National Historic Landmarks, are considered by many to be the oldest existing apartment buildings in the United States.

These twin structures were the brain-child of wealthy New Orleans legend, Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba. Born in 1795 to an extremely influential and wealthy Creole family, Micaela lived a life of luxury until her marriage to her cousin and future Baron of Pontalba, Xavier.

She moved to France with her new family where her family tried repeatedly to rob her of her large inheritance. After surviving an attempt on her life at the hands of her father-in-law, Micaela returned to her native New Orleans and was granted dominion over her own finances.

Described as a shrewd and efficient business woman, the Duchess of Pontalba set about making a name for herself in the cut-throat world of New Orleans economics, eventually convincing the city to sell her the two large plots of land on the east and west sides of Jackson Square.

It was here that Micaela left her most lasting mark on her city of birth, constructing two lavish sets of apartments and commercial properties. The buildings were constructed in a highly decorative Parisian Greek Revival Style utilizing the abundant red-clay bricks created along the Gulf Coast. Despite their austere design, the buildings also display the free-use of ornamental iron-work indicative to the New Orleans French Quarter.

Today, the buildings continue there original uses as apartments and commercial spaces but also house museums and other public venues.