Mosaic Property Valuations was proud to appraise Home Place Plantation, a historically and architecturally significant property in Hahnville, Louisiana. The plantation is recognized for its place on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark since April 1970. One of the few remaining examples of an 18th-century raised French cottage in the United States, Home Place Plantation stands as one of the best-preserved examples of colonial French architecture from that period. The plantation has fascinating historical layers, including its role in the sugar industry, which was central to its operation.
In addition to being an appraisal of a historical structure, the appraisal problem was further complicated by the inclusion of extensive sugar cane and swamp land, necessitating the valuation of three separate property uses. The building had condition issues, with the original bagasse panels (made from sugar cane pulp) falling off in some places, revealing the original mud and Spanish moss insulation, which was commonplace at the time of construction. Like many plantations, the wrap-around porch gives the structure a grandiose appearance, but the actual enclosed square footage is minimal. These properties do not come up very often, and they require extensive research to properly address deferred maintenance and excess land. As land values increase, determining the highest and best use becomes more complex, particularly when trying to preserve the historical integrity of the property while addressing modern land development pressures. This was a truly intriguing project to work on.
