Seignouret-Brulatour Building

Seignouret-Brulatour Building. 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Built in 1816.

The Seignouret-Brulatour Building was constructed in 1816 by Francis Seignouret as a three-story entresol townhouse that was used as an upholstery and furniture store as well as a private residence. Later on, the building also houses his wine importing business. In 1870, Pierre Brulatour took over the house, also running his wine import business and private residence out of it. The building was next purchased by William Ratcliffe Irby in 1918 after years of deterioration. In the 1920s and '30s, the Arts and Crafts Club leased the rear building and later on, WDSU, the city's first TV station after WWII, ran its television studios and offices from 1950 to 1997. Once vacated by WDSU, the majority of the building remained vacant until purchased by the Historic New Orleans Collection in 2006.

This Greek Revival structure now houses a 12,000 square foot exhibition center after a fifteen-year renovation that restored the building to its former glory, including the original paint color.