The Curbed Cup 2015, our third annual award to the New Orleans Neighborhood of the Year, is kicking off with eight 'hoods battling it out for the honor of a prestigious fake trophy and obviously, bragging rights. Voting for each match-up ends 24 hours after it begins. We'll showcase a neighborhood face-off through the week with results and the full tourney bracket reviewed on Friday. Let the eliminations begin!
Today's match-up: Gentilly versus Central City, an up-and-coming favorite for home buyers versus a walkable, less suburban neighborhood with recent major developments.
Gentilly. Close to Mid-City and Lakeview but with homes more affordable than ones in those 'hoods, this is becoming the spot for young homebuyers. The neighborhood includes Gentilly Terrace, a subdivision with craftsman and bungalow-style homes on large, raised lots. Curbed readers love Gentilly: ChillyGentilly says, "I've lived all over the city and it is seriously the best place to live. We have so many local businesses and restaurants that are unique and everyone is so friendly!" Bev Jimenez says, "We have a great neighborhood network ... [that] keeps us informed by e-mail of everything happening, up to lost dogs, tips on robberies, or anything suspicious going down, and activities for residents, etc." Some call the neighborhood "too suburban" but for some those "suburban" amenities—large, but affordable homes and lots; off-street parking; convenience—make this neighborhood New Orleans' best kept secret.
On the market: this tasteful new construction asking $309,900.
Central City. This neighborhood has seen a ton of recent development on its main thoroughfare, Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard: the New Orleans Jazz Market, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and most recently, Roux Carre (and there's the sort of open Dryades Public Market in the area). Neighborhood stalwarts like Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center and Ashe Cultural Arts Center continue to hold it down, making this 'hood eminently walkable. A lot of home buyers are taking notice, making the neighborhood a "real estate hotspot." A perennial concern for this neighborhood, however, is the high crime.
On the market: A developer recently built a row of high-end townhomes in a former parking lot, each asking around $500,000.
And the results are in from yesterday's match-up: Mid-City advances to the next round!
(Editor's note: something went wrong and the original poll closed early, so please use the one below.)