New Orleans’ Magnolia Mansion, also known as the Harris-Maginnis House is now out on the market for sale, asking $4.9 million!

At 13,369 square feet, the mansion is a very important example of the Antebellum architecture with 15 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. It boasts three courtyards, a ground-floor banquet area and is knowned as one of the best bed & breakfast in the city. It could be converted back to a gorgeous family home too.

Originally listed at $5.475 million, the owners decided to reduce the price to $4.9 million.

Closer look at the gorgeous gate entry of the property. In this view, the house's exterior is being showcased as well. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Closer look at the gorgeous gate entry of the property. In this view, the house’s exterior is being showcased as well. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Here's the view when the gate is open. The house looks absolutely magnificent. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Here’s the view when the gate is open. The house looks absolutely magnificent. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A look at the house's hallway boasting two elegant statues and a large and gorgeous mirror on the wall. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — A look at the house’s hallway boasting two elegant statues and a large and gorgeous mirror on the wall. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A sitting area with a set of classy seats and a stunning center table, set on top of the area rug. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This hall boasts pieces of elegant furniture surrounded by white walls with stunning curtain decors. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A look at the house's elegant ceiling lighted by a gorgeous chandelier. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — A look at the house’s elegant ceiling lighted by a gorgeous chandelier. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Bedroom featuring an attractive cabinet along with a bedside table and a comfy bed set. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

A look at this bathroom's freestanding tub, pedestal sink and toilet. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — A look at this bathroom’s freestanding tub, pedestal sink and toilet. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Focused look at this bathroom's stunning custom freestanding soaking tub. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Focused look at this bathroom’s stunning custom freestanding soaking tub. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Another focused look at one of the bathroom's freestanding soaking tub. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Another focused look at one of the bathroom’s freestanding soaking tub. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Focused look at the home's magnificent exterior along with its iron fence. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — Focused look at the home’s magnificent exterior along with its iron fence. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

In a city famous for its fabulous food, art and ghost stories, New Orleans also has some of the most colorful homes in the world. Many come with legends and backstories as interesting as the homes.

Encompassing everything from French Quarter cast-iron balconies and colorful courtyards such as the Gardette-LePretre Mansion where a Turkish sultan and his harem were murdered in the 1870s to the Creole cottage owned by Priestess Marie Laveau whose voodoo performances attracted thousands of fans, the city includes over 20 National Register historic districts. One of the city’s prettiest homes with over 150 years of romance, ghosts and tragedies is now for sale.

Magnolia Mansion, located in the historic Garden District, is one of the city’s most photographed homes. An important example of Antebellum architecture, the home, also known as the Harris-Maginnis House, was designed in 1857 – the year of the city’s first Mardi Gras parade. It was named several times by various publications as one of America’s top ten romantic inns and by USA Today as one of the Top 10 Great Places to Sleep with a Ghost.

The mansion was designed by James H. Calrow for Alexander Harris and his child bride Lizzie Thompson. Harris and his three brothers were wealthy cotton brokers. Eleven years after the home was built, Alexander and his brother Aaron died of yellow fever – only 24 hours apart.

After her husband’s death, Lizzie sold the house to another cotton king, John Henry Maginnis, but on July 4, 1889 John was struck by lightning and died. Some people said the lightning strike was payback for the poor working conditions in his cotton mill. John’s daughter Josephine founded the New Orleans Chapter of the American Red Cross and donated the home to the charity in 1939. In 2001, it was purchased by Tina Turner impersonator Hollie Diann Vest who turned the home into a bed & breakfast.

At 13,369 square feet, the Magnolia’s architecture is classic southern plantation with 11 white Corinthian columns that support a massive wrap-around veranda, 15 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a ground-floor banquet area and three courtyards. It is just a short walk from the city’s streetcar line, the French Quarter and many of the city’s best restaurants and shops. It is zoned for commercial use so it can continue to be operated as a bed & breakfast, or it could be converted back to a beautiful Southern family estate.

Though it is said that the home, like many of New Orleans’ older mansions, might include a few ghosts, they do not convey in the sale price but would be considered under separate negotiation. Price just reduced from $5.475 million to $4.9 million.

Source: www.realtor.com