KEY TAKEAWAYS: Historic 1831 French Quarter property listed at $1.625 million 5,400 sq. ft. includes commercial space and 3-bedroom residence Features vintage Coca-Cola signage, marble soda fountain, original tin ceilings Wraparound balcony offers views of Royal Street and classic Creole archi tecture   For much of the 20th century, Royal Pharmacy served as a French Quarter cornerstone. Its vintage outdoor Coca-Cola sign offered a warm invitation to come in and fill a prescription, pull up a stool at the nostalgic soda fountain, or browse the hand-labeled shelves for everyday sundries. Above the shop, two residential floors provided a rare perk: the opportunity to live where you work – and with a charming wraparound balcony overlooking the French Quarter. A rare and unique piece of New Orleans history dating back to 1831 has hit the market. 1101 Royal St. is on sale for $1.625 million. The nearly 200-year-old French Quarter landmark features 5,400 square feet of commercial and residential space with three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the two residential floors. “The historic Royal Pharmacy has been an iconic fixture of the New Orleans French Quarter for decades, and this remarkable property is a rare gem boasting a prime location,” said listing agent Eleanor Farnsworth, a certified Historic Residential Specialist and Realtor with Latter Blum | Compass. Farnsworth, a native New Orleanian with 45 years of experience in the local real estate market, added that the property, wrapping the corner of Royal Street and Ursulines Avenue, offers “excellent street visibility to bustling foot traffic.” Farnsworth said the interest thus far has come from both local and out-of-state investors. “It combines historic charm with modern potential, perfect for an investor or a business owner looking to establish a unique presence in New Orleans,” she said. The late pharmacist Louis Castillon Sr. originally owned the Royal Pharmacy, which opened circa the late 19th century/early 20th century. His family lived upstairs while he ran the pharmacy downstairs. According to his 1938 obituary in The New Orleans Item, Castillon was “one of the best-known figures of the Vieux Carre for more than 40 years … and was the druggist for a large number of Italian, French, and other benevolent organizations.” In the late 1930s, Castillon sold the business and the property to Charles Tusa, whose family operated the pharmacy. The property remains in the Tusa name close to a century later. The Tusa’s added the vintage Coca-Cola and Royal Pharmacy signage to evoke the building’s century-long legacy and also added the marble soda fountain transported from Italy with backlit mirror shelving and 1940s chrome stools. According to records from the Times-Picayune/States-Item, the store also featured a pinball machine and a circulating library. The building’s façade features tall windows, balcony railings, and colorful Creole architecture. The storefront has detailed ironwork and period architectural elements, such as a mosaic tile entry way with lettering spelling out “Royal Pharmacy.” Inside, the preserved commercial space features original tin ceilings, vintage shelving, and additional storage and office spaces in the back – one of which was historically and conveniently used as a doctor’s office, where patients would walk to the front of the store after their medical consult and fill their prescriptions in the pharmacy. The sunlit, storefront interior has transom windows and original tile floors, and classic pharmacy counter with vintage fixtures accompanying the authentic soda-shop atmosphere. There is a neon “Rx Drugs” sign and hand-labeled period shelving. Even though the actual pharmacy business closed about five years ago, people can still come into the commercial space and purchase every day, over-the-counter items. “People still pop into the store, and they are fascinated by the charm and the vintage look of everything inside,” Farnsworth said. “They want to know the history of everything, and it’s just one of those nostalgic New Orleans properties with a lot of stories to tell.” The residential space begins on the second floor with large living areas, original stucco walls, 13-foot ceilings, and two full bathrooms. Farnsworth said the residential portion has been partially updated while maintaining the integrity of the original culture, featuring hardwood floors, custom features and finishes throughout, including exposed brick and beamed ceilings. The updated kitchen includes a checkered tile floor, farmhouse sink, vintage range, stainless appliances, and brick-accented kitchen wall with classic New Orleans shutters. One bathroom includes a glass shower, pedestal sink, and restored hex-tile flooring, while the other features a double vanity, clawfoot tub, and decorative stained-glass window. The stairway landing has detailed millwork, transoms, and original hardwood floors. There is a sun-filled parlor with French doors and a refined sitting room with original hardwood floors and a decorative fireplace mantle. Four sets of French doors open to a wraparound balcony overlooking Royal Street, framed by neighboring wrought-iron galleries. The third floor provides an additional residential space with a variety of uses, whether as a bedroom, office, or entertainment room, and includes access to the roof. The pool table in the entertainment room is included in the sale, Farnsworth said. ...read more read less