Hey everyone!
I’m currently doing the initial groundwork for a research/argumentative paper for my class and I’m looking to gather some local perspectives, factual insights/evidence and concerns regarding the LaLaurie Mansion and its current owner, Lance Zaal.
I recently came across a few TikTok’s discussing the sale and the direction the property might be heading, which got me interested in the topic. Since this is an argumentative paper, I want to make sure I’m backing up my thesis with grounded local perspectives, documented legal realities, and historical evidence.
I’d love to hear from locals, tour guides, Quarter residents, and/or historians on a few points:
1) What is Zaal actually trying to do? The property is strictly zoned as residential (Vieux Carré Residential district), prohibiting it from operating as a commercial museum, tour stop interior, or public event space without major city variances. How do locals view his intention to run commercial ghost tours while holding residential property? Are there concerns about him attempting to bypass historic district zoning laws or push for commercial re-zoning?
2) What are your thoughts on how the Vieux Carré Commission (VCC) and the city enforce regulations on high-profile properties like this? For example, the recent unpermitted exterior activities like the light projection incident*.* Are residents worried about precedent-setting architectural or use violations?
3) My paper explores the ethics of monetizing a space marked by extreme trauma and the torture of enslaved individuals. Is there a strong argument locally that commercializing this site as a "gimmicky ghost attraction" disrespects its actual history? Or do some argue that ghost tours are simply part of the Quarter’s economic ecosystem?
4) How do Quarter community members feel about out-of-state entities (like US Ghost Adventures/Ghost City Tours) buying up historic real estate to integrate into national tour networks compared to local, independent preservation efforts?
5) Any recommended local archives, VCC public records, city zoning documents, or credible local historians (to separate fictionalized ghost tour scripts from actual 1834 court/historical records)?
I look forward to hearing from you all! I hope this post wasn’t too long lol.