2231 ROYAL STREET
FAUBOURG MARIGNY HISTORIC DISTRICT
THIS HOUSE WAS BUILT ABOUT 1830. IT HAS BEEN FEATURED IN THE "NEW ORLEANS ARCHITECTURE - THE CREOLE FAUBOURGS" SERIES. THE HOUSE EXTERIOR AND THREE OF THE SIX APARTMENTS WERE FULLY UPDATED IN 2006 BY HISTORIC INVESTMENTS. THE NEW KITCHENS ARE FULLY MODERN WITH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES AND GRANITE COUNTER TOPS. THE SURROUNDING HOUSES HAVE ALL BEEN RENOVATED AND RETAIN THEIR ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE STYLE.
THIS HOUSE WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED AS A SINGLE FAMILY CENTER HALL RESIDENCE WITH ABOVE GROUND BASEMENT STORAGE AND A BLACKSMITH'S SHOP IN THE REAR OF THE COURTYARD SERVICED THROUGH THE CENTRAL CARRIAGEWAY. THERE IS AN ORIGINAL WATER WELL UNDER THE COURTYARD. THE REAR BLACKSMITH'S SHOP WAS ELIMINATED AND A SERVANTS QUARTERS ADDED TO THE REAR. THE MAIN HOUSE IS STRUCTURAL BRICK CONSTRUCTION. THE UPSTAIRS RIGHT APARTMENT (#4) WAS THE ORIGINAL GREETING AND DINING ROOMS. THE UPSTAIRS LEFT APARTMENT (#3) WAS THE ORIGINAL TWO BEDROOMS. THE REAR PORCH WAS ENCLOSED WHEN THE HOUSE WAS TURNED INTO APARTMENTS TO ACCOMMODATE A KITCHEN FOR THE TWO UPPER APARTMENTS. ORIGINALLY THE KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE REAR OF THE YARD WHERE THE BLACKSMITH SHOP AND WATER WELL WERE. THE ORIGINAL LOT FOR THIS HOUSE INCLUDED THE TWO NEARLY IDENTICAL WOODEN STRUCTURES ON EACH SIDE. THESE STRUCTURES WERE BUILT CIRCA 1880 AS INCOME PRODUCING APARTMENTS.
THE PREVIOUS OWNER, MR. IRVING NOVICK, RESEARCHED THE HISTORY OF THIS HOUSE, AND BELIEVES THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSPIRATION FOR TENNESSEE WILLIAM'S "A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE." ITS LOCATION ALONG THE DESIRE STREETCAR TRACKS, ITS AGE, AND ITS CURVING FRONT STAIRCASE LEND CREDENCE TO THIS ASSERTION, BUT HAS NOT BEEN PROVED.
