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Address: 344 S. Diamond St., New Orleans, 70130
Sales price: $1.83 million
List price: $1,945,000
Date sold: March 31
Days on Market: 126
Listing agent: Shaun Talbot, Talbot Realty Group
Sales agent: Andrew Sheppard, Crane Realtors

More than 15 years ago, a husband and wife had an outside-the-box vision and courage to tear down a one-story industrial building with an oversized garage door in the Warehouse District. They would custom-build a contemporary, five-story, single family home residence that was superiorly constructed and engineered – steel structural framing, corrugated metal panel facade, oversized warehouse-style metal windows, high-end interior finishes, and a glass penthouse that provides access to a rooftop to catch a 360-degree view of downtown New Orleans.

“This home is special and unique – a rare animal. It was a perfectly executed vision of labor and love that my clients built, and they constructed an amazing fortress,” said Shaun Talbot, of Talbot Realty Group. “This house has everything from family use to entertaining guests – a 1,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with 360-degree city views, an elevator that goes to every floor, a huge living space with 11-foot ceilings, a rear patio deck off the second-floor kitchen, and garage parking for four-plus cars, which is gold in downtown New Orleans.”

Talbot was the executive listing broker of 344 S. Diamond St., which sold on March 31 for $1.83 million. The home, built in 2008, features 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, and 4,004 square feet of living space in a total of 5,163 square feet.

The home is zoned as “CBD-6 Urban Core Neighborhood Lower Intensity Mixed-Use District.” When Talbot’s clients built the home and got the specifications approved by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, it was the first time that the 22-foot-wide lot was used as a single-family home residence. Prior, the space was an industrial warehouse. The buyer will continue to use the home as a residence; the buyer is a surgeon who splits time between Tampa and New Orleans and wanted to invest in downtown New Orleans living.

“The big draw was just the special character and rare qualities in this beautiful home,” said Andrew Sheppard, of Crane Realtors, who served as the sales agent on the transaction. “It’s like an industrial building that was beautifully over-engineered with rigid construction, such as steel framing, masonry, high-end interior finishes. The sellers spared no expense, and to top it off, there is an unmatched New Orleans skyline view from the rooftop.”

There is a whole-building generator; one 75-gallon gas water heater; three central HVAC systems; and 350-amp electrical service. The ground floor begins with a front entry foyer and intercom system, keypad access, and camera system, There is garage parking for four-plus vehicles. There is a half bathroom and work sink with connections for an additional sink; storage space under the staircase; exposed structural beams and brick walls; and elevator access.

Second floor amenities include an open staircase with 3-inch thick, re-milled pine wood planks on metal stair pan; a great room with carbonized bamboo wood flooring cut on the diagonal and 11-foot ceilings; large double insulated warehouse windows with operable center panes; half bathroom off of the kitchen with tile floor and storage cabinets; and a large eat-in kitchen with beech cabinetry, 3-cm stone counters, center island with six burner gas cooktop Dash GE monogram, GE profile Stainless Steel appliances, two wall ovens, French door refrigerator, Sharp microwave,

Whirlpool dishwasher, cork flooring, side bar, and sink. Double doors lead to a rear deck off of the kitchen, with a built-in gas line, water, and power.

The third floor amenities include two bedrooms and two bathrooms; bamboo flooring in the hallway and the rear bedroom; pocket doors; laundry room with a full-size GE washer and dryer; 75-gallon gas water heater and telecommunications control panels; and a guest room/den with a projection screen and projector.

Highlights on the fourth floor include a rear master bedroom with bamboo floors cut on the diagonal with a five fixture bathroom that includes a jetted soaking tub; large warehouse windows with center pane operability; a guest bedroom or media/fitness room with electrical outlets and dedicated circuits that can accommodate large equipment; and great views of the city skyline, tree lines, and green space on Diamond St.

“All of the views at night, from the primary bedroom to the rooftop, are amazing. In fact, we first toured the property at night, and my client and I were blown away by the lights in the city and the views from the property,” said Sheppard.

An open staircase leads to a fifth-floor glass penthouse structure with electric shades. The 1,000-square foot decked rooftop terrace has 360-degree views of downtown New Orleans and the Mississippi River Bridge. Utilities are available up on the rooftop for a landscaping irrigation system, or any lighting or power needs. The glass penthouse bathes light on the open steel staircase with re-milled 3″ thick pine stair treads.

“Before the listing, I was waiting for the photographer one night on the rooftop. I called my wife to see if she was interested again in living downtown because the view was just that breathtaking and beautiful,” said Talbot. “The beautiful home my clients built, and now the sale to pass it on to the next owner, is a perfect example of people very much still interested in living in and investing in our Warehouse District and downtown New Orleans.”

Other high priced home sales in the past week:

Address: 1468 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, 70118
Sales price: $1.8 million
List price: $1,895,000
Date sold: April 3
Days on Market: 76
Listing agent: Margaret Stewart, Latter & Blum | Compass
Sales agent: Jonathan Maki, McEnery Residential

An 1888 Regal Victorian home at 1468 Henry Clay Ave. sold for $1.8 million on April 3. The home features 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and 4,058 square feet of living space on a 6,588 square foot lot.

• The home has curb appeal with lush landscaping, a brick driveway, and a stylish front porch with a swing and 3 Bevelo gas lanterns. The leaded glass door, with a vestibule, opens to a long foyer with 12-foot ceilings and a stairwell. There is a double parlor with floor-to-ceiling windows, two fireplaces, and a screened-in porch. The kitchen is located across the rear of home, and the windows all have views of the back patio and gardens.
• The first floor also features an en-suite den/study/bedroom. The primary suite has an updated bathroom and custom-designed, walk-in closet. Upstairs includes three additional bedrooms and a bonus/laundry room. Additional amenities include porches, balconies, wood floors, natural light, tall ceilings, wavery glass windows, molding, medallions, new shingle roof, and plaster and deep reveal from walls to trim.

Address: 14 Beresford Drive, Metairie, 70001
Sales price: $1,325,000
List price: $1.4 million
Date sold: March 31
Days on Market: 6
Listing agent: Debbie Ferrante, Latter & Blum | Compass
Sales agent: Sarah Martzolf, McEnery Residential

A Metairie home at 14 Beresford Drive sold for $1,325,000 on March 31. The three-story home, built in 2005 and renovated in 2014, features 4 bedrooms, 5½ bathrooms, and 4,634 square feet of living space on a 9,148 square foot lot.

• Located in a gated neighborhood, the home features an open-floor concept that is suitable for entertaining. All bedrooms are located upstairs. Additional amenities include a large yard, whole house generator, replaced roof, ample closets and storage space, exercise room off the garage, two attics, gorgeous light fixtures, wood floors, a third floor with a full bathroom, downstairs office with an attached full bathroom, and a kitchen with Quartzite counters, Subzero fridge, freezer, wine fridge, ice machine, and two ovens.

Information provided by Kelleye Rhein & Stephan Mock of Reve Realtors.