The Benachi House was constructed circa 1858 for his second wife and their family by Nicholas M. Benachi, a native of Greece and its Consul in New Orleans, a cotton broker and horseman. It is situated on the historic Bayou Road, which was first a Native American trail and portage, connecting the Mississippi River to the bayous of the area; then, when the house was constructed, it was a country road; and later a city street. Situated in a park-like setting, the house is Greek Revival in style, with bold symmetry, and 14 ft. ceilings. Most of its original features are intact: gasoliers by Cornelius & Baker in the common areas downstairs; Greek Key doorways; banded cornice moldings; Belgian granite mantels and Italian marble fireplace fronts; heart of pine floors; a Rococo fountain at the entrance and a cast iron fence from the Wood & Perot foundry. It came to be known as the Rendezvous des Chasseurs – the gathering place of the hunters. In 1880’s the house and grounds, more extensive at the time, were purchased by the Torre family, who occupied it until the 1970s. It was bequeathed by them to the Louisiana Landmarks Society which sold it to James G. Derbes, its current owner, in 1982. In a seven-year effort, the main house and its Carriage House were completely restored; an apartment added in a previously unused and inaccessible third floor space; the grounds landscaped, in part with the Gris des Vosges Alsatian flagstone original to the property; and off-street parking provided. The Historic Districts Landmarks Commission recognized the work with its Honor Award for Residential Restoration. The house has been designated a landmark by the Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission. The site consists of three adjoining lots on a prominent corner in the Esplanade Ridge Historic District. The frontage on Bayou Rd is its original 141ft. (one and a half arpents) and the frontage on N. Tonti St.is 226’. The lots have a total area of 30,020.65 sq. ft., or 0.68 acres. The Benachi House occupies one lot and the Carriage House a second. A third, unimproved lot, fronting on N. Tonti St., is 98’ in depth by 45’ +/- in width, and is suitable for the construction of a swimming pool and pool house and/or a third dwelling unit, or for additional vehicular access and parking. An example of the type of structure that may be built on this lot, designed by Robert J. Cangelosi, Jr., is attached. Mature oaks and sycamores, palms and a magnolia grace the grounds. At the rear of the ensemble is its Carriage House, parking for up to seven cars, a gazebo, and three patio areas with raised flower beds, two of which feature a variety of roses. Combined, the Benachi House and its Carriage House have total living area of 7,636 sq. ft. as follows:
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