New Orleans: An Artist’s Retirement Paradise

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, art curators, and professors, Lou and Margaret decided there was no better place to retire than New Orleans. The lifelong artists were drawn to the city’s vibrant arts culture and knew this would now be the perfect place to call home. After deciding to move across the country, the couple happened upon the Rêve website, where they discovered Rêve agent Lazaro Suarez. Following a brief conversation with Lazaro, Lou and Margaret knew they wanted him to assist them with finding their forever home. At first, the couple had their heart set on buying an art studio that would double as their house and a gallery, but once Lazaro introduced them to their charming home in Carrollton, they knew they had to have it. “Our home has everything we were looking for, only we didn’t know it at first, and we have an art studio, which was very important to us.” Says Lou and Margaret. Prior to moving to New Orleans, Lou and Margaret set their heart on opening an art gallery in the city. Once the couple settled into their new home, their next mission was to find the perfect location for an art gallery. Without a doubt, the couple enlisted Lazaro to assist them. Finding the right gallery proved to be more of a challenge than buying their home, but in the end, Lazaro located the gallery of their dreams. “We knew we wanted to be in the Arts District, and at first, it seemed like everything we wanted wasn’t available. Lazaro didn’t stop until he found us a location we loved. Our gallery is everything we wanted. It’s right off of Julia Street and has enough space to showcase main talent and up-and-coming artists.” Says Lou and Margaret. A few days ago, the artists opened the IBIS Contemporary Art Gallery in the heart of the New Orleans Arts District. Drawing from their connections as artists and professors, the owners and co-directors have brought together an exceptional and varied group of national and international artists to exhibit at IBIS. The directors hope to contribute their expertise and experience as artists to this city’s already rich and diverse culture. Lou and Margaret note, “Our main goal is to give artists the platform and space they need to host a proper exhibit and generate the income they deserve. As long as our gallery is doing that, we’re happy.” You can visit Lou and Margaret’s new art gallery, IBIS, located at 705 Camp Street.

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For The Love of New Orleans

When New Yorkers Jim Brune and Greg Todd, decided it was time to upgrade their New Orleans abode they contacted their favorite Rêve | Realtors agent, Rae Bryan. After owning their home in Uptown New Orleans for five years, the couple wanted a property with more space. Although Jim and Greg loved the atmosphere of Uptown and did not want to move outside of the area, once Rae helped them find the perfect home in Irish Channel, they knew it would be worth the move. Jim and Greg’s Story. After visiting New Orleans for several years and viewing the city as a second home, in 2014 Jim and Greg made the decision to plant some roots here and make a purchase. As busy New Yorkers, Jim is the Founder and CEO of BoardPackager a real estate technology company, and Greg who acts as General Counsel for Latin America and Global Head of Regulatory for Bank of America, New Orleans provides a much-needed change of pace from their everyday lives. The couple says, “We love everything about New Orleans, the people, the culture, the atmosphere, and [we] have family in the city, purchasing a home here was a no-brainer.” Why Jim and Greg Chose Rae Bryan of Rêve | Realtors To Help Them Find Their New Orleans Home. Five years prior, Rae assisted Jim and Greg with their first New Orleans home purchase. Their experience was so seamless with Rae they knew they wanted to use her as their realtor again. According to Jim and Greg, Rae Bryan is an Uptown New Orleans connoisseur, she has an immense amount of real estate knowledge, and she is committed to prioritizing her clients. “Rae Bryan has a rich history of loving the city, she knows New Orleans, the neighborhoods, the culture. There’s no other New Orleans realtor we would call on.” Says Jim and Greg. The Type of Home Jim and Greg Were Looking For. After living Uptown for five years, Jim and Greg fell in love with the neighborhood and wanted to purchase a home that wasn’t too far from their original home. Rae Bryan suggested Jim and Greg look into the Irish Channel neighborhood. The Irish Channel is a historical New Orleans neighborhood that is centrally located and offers a great deal of charm. Most homes in the Irish Channel contain a deep history that dates back to the 1800s. Developers have been able to renovate the properties to meet current world needs while honoring the vintage roots of the area. Jim and Greg loved the ambiance of the Irish channel and immediately knew this is where they wanted to purchase their home. This listing offered the amount of space they were looking for, all while maintaining the comfort of a beautiful home. Jim and Greg said, “Our favorite thing about the property is how gracious it feels, our center hall is so grand it draws you in. We love how huge our front porch is! This home was perfect for where we are now and still allows us the room to add personal touches.” For The Love of New Orleans. It’s been two years since Jim and Greg have settled into their new home. Following the 2020 Coronavirus shutdown, Jim and Greg chose to quarantine in New Orleans instead of New York. New Orleans was the better option for the couple since it provided the level of warmth they needed during that tumultuous time. During their quarantine stay, Jim and Greg adopted a puppy from a rescue shelter who they named Philip, after Philip Street. Adding Philip to their family made their home complete. “If you have to shelter in place, there’s nowhere better than New Orleans. We were able to spend our quarantine days on our lovely porch, relaxing and drinking wine. We got a chance to know our neighbors during quarantine, and once it was safe to do so, have quarantine-friendly gatherings with them in our yards. What should have been a terrible time turned out to be okay, and it’s because we were [in New Orleans].” Jim and Greg said. Although Jim and Greg are currently in New York, the couple says they are anxiously awaiting their return to their New Orleans home. Jim and Greg are anticipating becoming reacquainted with their neighbors and spending time doing all of their favorite New Orleans things.“We’ll be in the city soon for Halloween festivities. We’re looking forward to frequenting our favorite local restaurants and catching up with our family and friends. We also can’t wait to sit on our lovely porch with Philip and enjoy a bottle of wine.” Says Jim and Greg. Take it from Jim and Greg the Irish Channel is a wonderful place to live. Be sure to look at Irish Channel listings here!  *Photos | Zach Smith Photography

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Planting Roots In New Orleans

When world travelers Casey and Lizzy Hill finally decided it was time to put roots down, they chose the magical city of New Orleans. After moving here for Casey’s job, assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, they both fell in love with the gritty elegance of the city. Like most people who visit New Orleans, the city’s charm drew Casey and Lizzy in, and they decided this would be the perfect place to buy their first home. Casey and Lizzy Hill’s Story. After renting for five years across the world, Casey and Lizzy Hill decided it was time to plant some roots—they chose New Orleans soil to do so. Since the couple got engaged in 2010, they have moved constantly for Casey’s career. From Tokyo to North Dakota to Los Angeles, the longest they have ever lived in one city together has been 5 years. Lizzy, a native of Austin, TX, and Casey, a self-proclaimed mutt because “he’s from all over,” says the city of New Orleans felt like home. Why They Chose Cindy Flannery of Rêve | Realtors To Help Them Find Their New Orleans Home. After Casey received the position of Assistant Coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, the couple had to move to the New Orleans area rather quickly. Everyone at the Pelicans team referred Cindy Flannery to help them find a short-term rental property. After living in New Orleans for a few months, the couple knew they wanted to plant roots here and they reached out to Cindy to assist them with their house hunt. As first-time home-buyers, Cindy’s precise attention to detail was something the couple deeply appreciated. Cindy guided Casey and Lizzy through every aspect of buying a home. “We never regretted our decision to work with Rêve after we started collaborating with Cindy! Cindy Flannery held our hand and made us feel heard and taken care of. She understood our housing needs, both for rental and then purchase, and she confidently articulated the intricacies of the house hunting and home buying process” says Lizzy. The Type of Home Casey and Lizzy Hill Were Looking For. Upon Casey and Lizzy’s arrival to New Orleans, the couple chose to live in the Lakeview Area. They loved the neighborhood and decided to purchase their home there as well. Casey and Lizzy weren’t picky about the type of home they wanted, their only requirements were a house with three to four bedrooms and a spacious backyard for their golden retriever to enjoy. “We knew the home had to feel like us,” says Lizzy. Cindy made the suggestion the couple only looked at homes with raised foundations, something Casey and Lizzy are truly grateful for now following the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Planted Roots And Memories To Be Made. Now that Casey and Lizzy have settled into their home, the couple says they are most looking forward to making memories of a lifetime. Of course, the couple is anticipating celebrating many New Orleans Pelicans wins in their new home, but as an artist, Lizzy can’t wait to add her artistic touch by painting a mural on an accent wall! She says, “When you rent for years and years, you realize it’s just easier to leave walls as-is and that those kinds of personalizations in a home aren’t worth it when you move as often as we do. But in a house that we own—we are excited to customize!” Congrats to Casey and Lizzy Hill on the purchase of their beautiful home! *Photos | Zack Smith Photography

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