On the Market: Historic New Orleans properties near Soniat House hit the market | New Orleans CityBusiness

Several New Orleans French Quarter historic properties owned by KFI International, owners of the Soniat House hotel, have hit the market, including designer Ken Fulk’s furnished residence at 600 Governor Nicholls St., which is on sale for $3.1 million. Fulk’s furnished guest home at 532 Governor Nicholls St. is also available for $1.385 million; and 1138 Chartres St. and 538 Governor Nicholls, which share a property line, are on sale for $2,439,000.

KFI International is redesigning Soniat House, with one of its key members being renowned designer Ken Fulk, known for his elegant interiors and high-profile hospitality projects around the world, including in San Francisco, New York, and New Orleans. Inspired by New Orleans’ music, culture, and architecture, Fulk has a long-standing connection to the city. In 2021, he invested in New Orleans by purchasing and restoring historic properties in the French Quarter, drawn by his passion for preserving the city’s unique heritage.
“This is an incredible opportunity for someone to invest in these properties, work with KFI International on the possibilities of how these properties can engage with the redesigned hotel, and to be on the front lines of the revitalization near Soniat House,” said Elizabeth McNulty, founder of New Orleans Luxury Living, Latter & Blum | Compass.
McNulty and colleague Kristin Patterson are the listing agents for the group of residential properties on Governor Nicholls and Chartres. “These are historic homes and elegant mansions nestled in one of the most charming blocks of the French Quarter,” said McNulty. “It’s an honor to represent these special properties and to hear their stories and their history from a bygone era.

600 Governor Nicholls St., built in 1854, is a mansion that features four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two half bathrooms and 4,973 square feet of living space. In addition to being owned by former hoteliers Frances and Rodney Smith, the home was owned by billionaire Paul Allen and has hosted many renowned musicians who have used the ground-floor recording studio.
Additional features include a stone-white staircase from an Italian palazzi with French ironwork; a gilded and hand-printed chinoiseries wallpaper salon with a 60-candle Italian chandelier; a Czainski hand-painted dining and drawing room; a wood-grained elevator with Delafosse engravings; and a courtyard and a planted wraparound gallery. The primary suite features upholstered, Swedish reverse, hand-printed cotton, a huge bathroom with tiles from the St. Petersburg factory used by Peter the Great, and an enormous hidden dressing room.
“The interiors are praised as being among the most beautiful rooms in the world, and Ken did an amazing job restoring the home, combining the design influence that he is known for with the special history of the property to reimagine it all as a modern sanctuary that is both iconic and stunning when you walk through it,” said McNulty.

532-38 Governor Nicholls St. features a total of six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and 5,336 square feet of living space. The two adjacent historic residences have a layout and scale that are ideal for transforming it into a versatile compound that could consist of a single-family home with a guest house, two luxury duplexes, or a private multi-residence estate. McNulty said that Fulk has proposed floor plans for the two estates that he and McNulty can share with interested investors.
“There’s just a unique feeling all around the entire property that surrounds 532 and 538 Governor Nicholls. It almost harks back to what the classic French Quarter used to be, like you’re transported in a Tennessee Williams novel,” said McNulty. “Whether you envision a luxurious personal residence with a guesthouse, a family compound, or a boutique hospitality venture, this offering delivers both charm and potential in the city’s most iconic neighborhood.”

532 Governor Nicholls, a restored Creole townhouse built in 1843, has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, one half bathroom, and 2,572 square feet of living space. It is fully furnished and designed by Chad Graci of New Orleans-based Graci Interiors. Period details include original hardwood floors, tall ceilings, and French doors. The entrance features a striking gilded mirror and opens into a formal parlor. There is an eat-in kitchen that connects to a private courtyard. An elegant staircase, which conceals a jewel box powder room, leads to the upper levels. The second floor boasts a double parlor that opens onto a gallery, offering views along Governor Nicholls St.
The primary suite on the second floor showcases historic functioning windows that complement the detailed millwork, high ceilings, exposed brick, plaster walls, fireplace mantels, and the original wood flooring. A generous walk-in closet completes the suite. Ascending to the third floor, there is a guest suite that features custom wainscoting and exposed beam ceilings. There is also a carriage house, which includes a library bar, a full bathroom, and a fully appointed guest suite, providing additional space and privacy for visitors.

Next door, 538 Governor Nicholls offers the opportunity to restore the two-story corner property to its original grandeur. Built in 1880, 538 Governor Nicholls features three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, one half bathroom, and 2,908 square feet of living space. Special features include a wraparound gallery, grand salon, chef’s kitchen, 12-foot ceilings, hand-pulled plaster moldings, ornate fireplace mantels, Zuber & Cie French wall coverings, marble windowsills, and hand-painted murals by Paul Czainski – all surrounding a secluded courtyard.

532-38 Governor Nicholls also shares property lines with 1138 Chartres Street, which has five one-bedroom and one-bathroom residences and an office. The homes feature historical amenities such as iron balconies, high ceilings, and original hardwood floors. There are two balconies overlooking Chartres. McNulty said its layout and location support a range of lucrative strategies, including multi-unit short-term rentals or themed hospitality offerings, and may qualify for commercial or STR permitting, pending city approval.
“It offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern potential and is ideal for transforming the property into a boutique bed and breakfast, luxury condominiums, or high-end vacation rentals,” said McNulty. “This dual-structure property blends iconic architectural charm with exceptional redevelopment flexibility.”