From the Levee to the Beach
When most people think of Algiers Point, they picture historic cottages, oak-shaded streets, and ferry rides across the Mississippi.
When most people think of Seaside, Florida, they picture pastel beach cottages, white picket fences, and bike paths that wind through a carefully planned resort town.
On the surface, these two places couldn’t be more different. But here’s the hidden truth: Algiers Point inspired the design of Seaside.
Duany & Plater-Zyberk: The Architects of New Urbanism
In the 1980s, architects Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk set out to design Seaside — the first master-planned community of its kind in the United States. Their philosophy, known as New Urbanism, was built on the idea that neighborhoods should be walkable, community-centered, and architecturally timeless.
When looking for real-world examples of these principles, Duany and Plater-Zyberk didn’t have to look far. They studied historic neighborhoods of New Orleans like Algiers Point, the Marigny, and the French Quarter, where:
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Homes are built close to the street, encouraging porch culture and interaction;
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Streets are narrow and shaded, designed for people as much as for cars;
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Local businesses, churches, and schools are within walking distance; and,
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Architecture is modest but enduring — cottages, doubles, and small-scale homes built with care.
The DNA of Community
Seaside became famous for its pastel cottages and beachside charm, but the DNA of the place came from Algiers Point. Duany and Plater-Zyberk saw in our neighborhood a model for how communities used to work — and how they could work again.
This connection is more than academic. It reminds us that Algiers Point isn’t just a “hidden gem” of New Orleans real estate. It’s a neighborhood whose design influenced a movement. When you buy here, you’re not just buying into history. You’re buying into a vision of community that has been studied, celebrated, and recreated around the world.
Living in a Model Community
For residents, this means Algiers Point offers more than pretty houses. It offers a proven lifestyle — one where neighbors know each other, local businesses thrive, and the streets are alive with people.
For buyers, it means investing in a place whose design principles have stood the test of time. Seaside may be famous, but Algiers Point is the original.
“Algiers Point is more than a neighborhood. It’s a model for how we can live together — connected, walkable, and built to last.”
👉 Want to explore the architectural and cultural legacy of Algiers Point for yourself? I’d love to give you a tour of the neighborhood and its historic homes.
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 historic504.com | 📞 504-442-5277
