French Quarter property owners can now apply for free replacements of historic Spanish tile street signs, thanks to a cultural gift from Spain.
Author: WWL Staff
NEW ORLEANS — A piece of New Orleans’ colonial past is being restored, thanks to a gift from the Spanish government. The City of New Orleans and the Vieux Carré Commission (VCC) announced the launch of a restoration program to repair the iconic Spanish-era ceramic street tiles embedded in French Quarter buildings — with help from Spain itself.
The effort is funded through a special gift from Ángeles Moreno Bau, Ambassador of Spain to the United States, and supported by the Spanish Consulate and Spanish tile manufacturer ADEX. The initiative honors the city’s deep Spanish roots and offers a chance to preserve one of the French Quarter’s most iconic features — the ceramic tiles marking Spanish-era street names.
History of the Tiles
Originally gifted to New Orleans by the Spanish government during Mayor deLesseps Morrison’s administration in 1959, the 126 handmade ceramic signs were created in Talavera de la Reina, Spain and installed between 1959 and 1961. They mark street names from the Spanish colonial era (1762–1803), when Louisiana was governed by Spain.
How to Apply
Property owners with damaged or missing original tiles can now apply for replacements at no cost through the city’s One Stop App under “VCC Spanish Tile Application.” The VCC will manage all application materials but will not have direct contact with the manufacturer.
Key Requirements:
- Photos of each damaged tile to be replaced.
- Photos of each building elevation where work is requested.
- If the property is a condo, a signed letter of approval from all owners must be included.
The application window runs from March 10 through May 9, 2025. No new tile locations will be approved — only existing signs are eligible.
