Latrobe’s on Royal is located in the heart of the enchanting French Quarter and is one of New Orleans’ most architecturally significant buildings. Originally the Louisiana State Bank, the building was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and completed in 1822.

To appreciate the historic significance of Latrobe’s on Royal, one must pay homage to the man behind the building’s design. Benjamin Henry Latrobe arrived in the United States from England in the 1790’s and soon achieved fame as America’s first professional architect. After working on projects in Virginia and Pennsylvania like the Virginia State Penitentiary (1797-1806), the Bank of Pennsylvania (1798-1801), the Philadelphia Waterworks (1799), a canal linking the Chesapeake and Delaware bay (1801-1802) and Princeton’s Nassau Hall (1802), he was hired in 1803 by Thomas Jefferson as the surveyor of public buildings in the U.S.

He is often considered the “Father of American Architecture” and among his many other achievements are: his longstanding work with the U.S. Capitol Building, the designing of the Porticos of the White House, the main gate to the Washington Navy Yard, St. John’s Episcopal Church (1816) and the Baltimore Basilica which is America’s first Catholic cathedral.

While Latrobe initially came down to New Orleans with plans to implement a municipal water works system, during his stay he also designed the central tower of the Saint Louis Cathedral and the building that is known today as Latrobe’s on Royal. The latter is Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s final design. Yellow Fever, a widespread epidemic prevalent in New Orleans in the nineteenth century, took his life on September 3, 1820. Sadly, this was before he could witness his last design achievement come to life, in 1822, as the Louisiana State Bank.

In present day New Orleans, a park stands at the former water works sight down by the historic French Market. We suggest visiting Latrobe Park next time you’re in the French Quarter.

Accommodations

We have reserved room blocks at the following hotel and encourage you to click the reserve button, which will take you to our private group-specific reservation link. If you require rooms outside the room-block dates, feel free to contact the hotel directly and ask for the Yang-Brooks room block.  

We suggest that you stay in or near the French Quarter as this will keep you within walking distance of the venue.

Transportation

The easiest and cheapest (unless you’re arriving by yourself) way into the city is via taxi. A taxi ride from Louis Armstrong Airport will run $33.00 for up to 2 people and then $14.00 for each additional person. The taxi stand is located outside of the baggage claim area. Travel time to the French Quarter should be around 30 minutes depending on traffic. 

If you’re traveling alone the cheapest way is via the Airport Shuttle Service. Reservations on the airport shuttle need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Prices on the shuttle will be $20.00 per person for one way and $38.00 per person round trip.