As of 2023, the haunted LaLaurie Mansion is owned by energy trader Michael Whalen.
He had bought the house in 2010 and moved into the famous mansion in 2013 after carrying out restoration work in the interior of the building. The house was formerly owned by Alabama-based Regions Financial Corporation (Bank) which bought over the property from actor Nicolas Cage during a foreclosure auction in 2009.
This comes after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) slapped Cage with a $6.2 million tax lien, forcing the actor to liquidate several lavish properties under his name, including the LaLaurie Mansion.
How Much Is the Mansion Worth Today?
The last publicly available transaction on the 10,300 square-foot large property was released in 2009 when Regions Financial Corporation bought the mansion for $2.3 million, two-thirds the appraised value of $3.55 million.
However, it was reported in several news media that current owner Michael Whalen paid $2.1 million for the purchase of the property in 2010. This would mean that Michael Whalen would have made a profit of $1.45 million if it was sold at the appraised value.
Today, the property is still a private residence and is not up for sale. Given its historical significance and rise in popularity after its feature in American Horror Story: Coven, the LaLaurie Mansion will undoubtedly fetch a price much higher than its appraised value in 2009.
Can You Go Inside LaLaurie Mansion?
As Laurie Mansion is currently a private property, no one is allowed to enter the building without permission from Michael Whalen.
As such, visitors can only get a glimpse of LaLaurie Mansion from the exterior. During the filming of American Horror Story: Coven in 2013, the historic Gallier House was used for the exterior shots of LaLaurie Mansion as the production crew had failed to obtain permission from Michael Whalen to carry out filming outside the property.
This is largely due to the fact that the Whalen family were strict on maintaining the privacy of LaLaurie Mansion as a residence, and did not want additional publicity on the property.
In 2020, it was announced that a film franchise would be produced based on the infamous property. The film will be produced by Chad and Carey Hayes, the brothers who produced several notable films including The Conjuring and the House of Wax. Named The LaLaurie Mansion, several parts of the film would be shot on-site to give viewers a firsthand view of the property since its closure to the public in 1932.
As of December 2023, there are no confirmation on the release date of the trailer or the film.
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Dark Past of the Mansion
The atrocious acts carried out by Marie Delphine Macarty at LaLaurie Mansion was only revealed three years after she moved in when a fire in 1834 led to the discovery of several slaves that were imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Several bodies were also found in the yard at LaLaurie Mansion.
Without a doubt, the tortures and killings that has happened within the walls of LaLaurie Mansion has brought forth a dark and mysterious aura that will continue to attract visitors and paranormal fanatic for decades to come.
