‘One-of-a-kind’ New Orleans ‘castle’ takes $100K price cut: Will this property ever find its king?

In a city where colorful architecture and bold design take center stage on almost every street, one property manages to stand out from the crowd: a fairytale-inspired “castle” in New Orleans that has arguably become one of Louisiana’s most recognizable homes during the three years it’s been on the market.

Featured in multiple social media posts and numerous headlines, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom structure first made an appearance on the market in July 2023, when it was listed for $500,000.

However, after three years with no buyer—and only a $100 discount offered—the sellers now appear to be taking more drastic action, relisting the dwelling and slashing their original ask by $100,000.

Located in the Irish Bayou, the unusual residence has become a local landmark thanks to its medieval-inspired design, complete with stone walls, turret-style towers, arched windows, and an entrance resembling a drawbridge.

Completed in 1978, the iconic property known as Fisherman’s Castle was built by Simon Villemarette “to show off the original owner’s construction skills” ahead of the 1984 World’s Fair, the previous listing states.

However, the recent listing, which is held by Eric Hernandez of Nola Living Realty, offers more than just the castle.

According to the listing, buyers will receive “two properties for the price of one,” including a separate two-bedroom, one-bath waterfront camp situated on the same parcel.

The listing suggests the unique setup could make an ideal vacation rental or investment opportunity.

“Two properties for the price of one. You get a two-bed, one-bath camp on the water as well as a one-of-a-kind castle on the water, could do well for weekly summer rentals,” the listing reads.

While the exterior resembles something straight out of a medieval storybook, the interior blends the home’s whimsical architecture with more traditional living spaces.

A soaring great room features castle-style stone walls, oversized arched windows, and a dramatic spiral staircase.

The spacious kitchen offers custom wood cabinetry, while the dining and living areas continue the medieval theme with rustic finishes and decorative stonework.

The property has undergone some renovations in recent years, some of which still seem to be in progress. Listing images show scaffolding and construction supplies in at least one of the rooms.

The property embraces its bayou setting with direct waterfront access for fishing or boating, or simply viewing the tranquil scenery from the home’s elevated vantage point.

The castle’s towers and fortress-like silhouette make it one of the most recognizable homes along the stretch of water.

In 2013, the dwelling’s current owners, Charles and Jean Kuhl, opened up to local outlet WGNO about their unique property. The structure was built to withstand hurricanes, they said, noting that it survived Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac.

At the time, Charles and Jean were living in the structure.

“I never thought I’d have a castle as a retirement home,” Charles joked.

The duo conceded that the castle needed repairs, explaining that they were in the process of repairing several leaks.

Still, they said that the castle’s wear and tear had done little to deter looky-loos.

“We have people stop by every day,” Charles said. “They want to take pictures.”

Several Reddit posts have been dedicated to the property’s unique design, with many commenters expressing amazement after seeing the castle while driving around the local area.