Globe-trotting duo Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are accustomed to basing themselves in exotic locations, so it may come as a surprise to some that their next port of call is in the United States. The couple are set to move to New Orleans, where Brad is filming his latest flick, and have reportedly purchased a £1.78 million mansion in the city.
"We love it there," Angelina told an American magazine at Monday night's Golden Globe Awards after confirming the move. "The kids are going to go to school there. We're really looking forward to it."
Brad, currently in New Orleans lensing the fantasy romance The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button alongside his Babel co-star Cate Blanchett, is known to be a fan of the southern city. The 43-year-old architecture aficionado visited the Big Easy in July last year to commission the building of 20 new homes in conjunction with national environmental organisation Global Green.
Brad lead a panel of jurors selecting eco-friendly proposals to revive neighbourhoods stricken by Hurricane Katrina - a project which he backed with $100,000 of his own money.
"I do like it there," he said. "It's one of our most unique cities, and it certainly needs some help right now. I know it will do fine, and the people are just fantastic." Meanwhile Angelina is reportedly hoping to lead a low-key life in the city, making friends with local mothers and continuing her charity work.
The glamorous duo have apparently bought a six-bedroom mansion in the city's historic French Quarter. The original colonial neighbourhood, a romantic mix of genteel old Europe, exotic Caribbean and sultry South, is the oldest part of town. Streetcars still ply its streets and spicy Creole cooking is the dish of the day. Brad and Angelina's new residence is likely to be in keeping with the area's colourful two-storey town houses, which often feature wrought-iron balconies and flower-filled verandas.
The district in which Brad and Angelina plan to base themselves was largely untouched by Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the city in 2005, but the pair are keen to highlight the vast quantity of reconstruction work which remains to be done. "They think it is important to be there right now," said a friend.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
