1026 Conti Street- Home of EJ Bellocq & Norma Wallace- The Last Madam

1026 Conti Street- History

In a place rich in history, 1026 Conti Street has left its mark in one of the oldest and most interesting places in New Orleans, LA. Located just inside the French Quarter, 1026 Conti Street has become a historical landmark since it’s erection in 1830.

Over the past 180 plus years, 1026 Conti Street has been the home of New Orleans most interesting and influential characters. Through the turn of the century to 1911, 1026 Conti Street was the childhood home of one Ernest J. Bellocq. Bellocq was a prominent New Orleans photographer and was later more famous for the resurrection of photographs taken of the women of Storyville, New Orleans' historic legalized red-light district. Born in 1873 to an aristocratic, white Creole family, Bellocq and his brother Leo, who would later become a Jesuit priest, spent their childhood in and later owned 1026 Conti until they sold the property in 1911 for $9,880. 1026 Conti Street in later years was acquired in June 1938 by Norma Wallace. Norma Wallace was the famed “Last Madam” who ran a well-known brothel from the walls of 1026 Conti Street for more than 25 years. Norma was known as a strict madam, running a discreet, lavish, and politically-protected house of prostitution at 1026 Conti Street. During her reign in the French Quarter, Norma’s brothel and the ladies she employed entertained a stream of governors, gangsters and movie stars. Norma ran the house of ladies until mid 1960’s.

Through the late 60’s to the year 2006, 1026 Conti Street was residents to many. The years of wear and tear took a toll on the structure of 1026 Conti Street. The need for a renovation or demolition needed to occur. Conti Condos LLC bought the structure in 2006 and painstakingly restored 1026 Conti Street to almost new condition. Many original architectural features and structures were restored with extreme care and still stand inside 1026 Conti Street today. Please take a tour through our renovation photographs to see the magnificent transformation of one of New Orleans historical landmarks.