Briggs­-Staub House, New Orleans

The Briggs-Staub House on Prytania Street defied the conventional architectural style of the Garden District when it was constructed for planter Cuthbert Bullitt in 1849. It notably features Gothic arched windows, a departure from the typical Garden District Protestant American homes of the time. Many in this community avoided Gothic Revival architecture because it reminded them of the Roman Catholicism associated with their Creole rivals.

Upon its completion by architect James Gallier, Jr., Bullitt refused to settle the bill, purportedly due to significant gambling losses. Consequently, the house changed hands and was acquired by Charles Briggs, an English insurance executive. Briggs resided here during a period of Irish immigration to the area and, rather than hold African slaves, opted to hire Irish servants, for whom he built a relatively spacious matching servant quarters. While the interior of the house departs from a strict Gothic room layout, making it better suited for hosting gatherings, Gothic architectural elements are prominently featured both inside and outside the structure.