Brad Pitt's New Orleans Project Gets Mixed Reviews

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 29th 2009 09:00AM

Brad Pitt has made quite an impact on the city of New Orleans since he started building new homes for those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. While the homes are first class, there are mixed reviews about his work and what is being done to help the city.

In an interview with the NY TImes, James Dart, a Manhattan-based architect who was born and raised in New Orleans, described the houses as "alien, sometimes even insulting," adding, "the biggest problem is that they are not grounded in the history of New Orleans architecture."

But Dart still expressed admiration for Pitt. "He deserves a great deal of credit," adding that Pitt had "done more for New Orleans" than any government agency.

In 2007, frustrated by the slow pace of rebuilding in the Lower Ninth, Pitt set up a foundation called Make It Right. According to the NY Times, the foundation then "commissioned 13 architecture firms to design affordable, green houses. The organization plans to build 150 homes, all for returning Lower Ninth residents. So far, just 15 of them are occupied."

The main route into the Lower Ninth is where the "Brad Pitt Houses" are located. They are sprawling, angular buildings in bold hues not usually seen outside a gelateria and are now becoming New Orleans's newest tourist attraction.

In more interviews done by the NY Times, Jennifer Pearl, a broker who has several houses for sale in the Lower Ninth, has a practical view. "Brad has the very best intentions," she said. "However, had he come here with houses that looked like what had been here before, he probably could have had four times, five times as many houses up by now."

Another issue with the houses is their elevation: to protect them from future floods, they have been built on stilts that turn their front porches into catwalks. The goal of porches is to create a sense of community, and that's hard to do when neighbors and passersby are literally overshadowed.

"It's like New York -- you know, the skyscrapers," said Ms. LeBlanc, who lives in a single-story house next to one of the much larger Make It Right creations. "And there are going to be more," she added.

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Biker Brad

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM ***NO CANADA RIGHTS*** Brad Pitt hides his face behind a long beard, hat, and sunglasses upon arriving to Nice airport. NON-EXCLUSIVE November 19, 2009 Job: 62802EW Paris, France www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

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Brad Pitt Snapshots

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Deverille Dupar (L) and Deecarla Rogers play in front of a new home constructed by the Make it Right foundation in the Lower Ninth Ward November 28, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prospective homeowners must have lived in the Lower Ninth Ward when Hurricane Katrina hit to qualify. Brad Pitt�s foundation plans to construct 150 green, storm-resistant, affordable homes in the neighborhood. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Deecarla Rogers;Deverille Dupar

Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: New homeowner Robert Green (R) looks on with graddaughters Shaniya Thomas (L), Shamiya Thomas (2nd L), and Mama Selah outside Green's home constructed by the Make it Right foundation in the Lower Ninth Ward November 28, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prospective homeowners must have lived in the Lower Ninth Ward when Hurricane Katrina hit. Brad Pitt�s foundation plans to construct 150 green, storm-resistant homes in the neighborhood. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mama Selah;Shamiya Thomas;Shaniya Thomas;Robert Green

Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Prospective homeowners and others tour homes constructed by the Make it Right foundation in the Lower Ninth Ward November 28, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prospective homeowners must have lived in the Lower Ninth Ward when Hurricane Katrina hit to qualify. Brad Pitt�s foundation plans to construct 150 green, storm-resistant, affordable homes in the neighborhood. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 28: Project coordinator Cesar Rodriguez (C) leads prospective homeowners and others on a tour of homes constructed by the Make it Right foundation in the Lower Ninth Ward November 28, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prospective homeowners must have lived in the Lower Ninth Ward when Hurricane Katrina hit to qualify. Brad Pitt�s foundation plans to construct 150 green, storm-resistant, affordable homes in the neighborhood. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cesar Rodriguez

Getty Images

Following police alert during the week end Brad Pitt upgraded his security system at the entrance of his property in Los Feliz, California. Police rushed to his mansion during the week end but left a few minutes later Nov 24, 2009 X17online.com EXCLUSIVE

KMM_Ice-MBF/X17online.com

Tags: brad pitt, BradPitt

Comments

(65)

Monday 30 November

By Frank

Vote down Vote up Report this

I find it sad that people are putting down someone who actually cares about that imp[overished area. I also find it hilarious that anyone living in that devastated area would bad mouth new homes being put up there. Squalor and track homes homes are not an architectural style. I the 9th Ward after the flood and it was a total Hell hole. Anything to bring it back is an amazing thing. No good deed goes unpunished. GO BRAD PITT!!!!! You care and did something about it. Ignore the nay sayers.

By Lisa Marie

Brad and his SKANKY homewreaking wife are OVER tomorrow 12/1/09! I cannot wait! were going to see what kind of people they really are!

By Marc

I don't like Brad Pitt's political views but as a person he is doing more than most entertainers.

Tuesday 01 December

By Aaron

Ruth
"Unfortunately, the federal government did put my money there".
Working at the "Mustang" doesn't make you tax exempt!! Wink!! Wink!!
Our tax money was included, we're not crying, this is America!

Friday 12 November

By AltonRyanBrown

Mr. Pitt,

I have followed your life for a long time. The work your family has undertaken over the last few years matters. I am just a poor farm boy who has worked hard from the time I was 9 years old. I have traveled the world a little and have found very few men who are willing to give anything. However, those like you who see the future in our children and families and are willing to do something about the worst and turn it into something better have a special place not just in the lime-light but, in the hearts and souls of those your family has touched. I would pray that more men would do than speak. You have put your money to good use and no man or woman who has not done the same sould say anything. That is anything but, Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Pitt for showing the rest of us how we too should act.

Respectfully,

Alton Ryan Brown

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