J. Arthur Roy House

This building is owned by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Lafayette community is grateful for the efforts made by the University in rehabilitating their historically-important properties. The Roy House is an architecturally significant Eastlake style structure that features a double story gallerie and double story polygonal bay, situated under a gabled roof. The decorative paneled band between floors is also a rare feature, unique in Lafayette to the Roy House. The building’s contractor was George Knapp, and the architect was Arthur Van Dyke. It was built as a family home by J. Arthur Roy, who foresaw the advantage of living near the University. Roy served on the University’s Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee for many years. In 1986, Mrs. J. Arthur Roy’s Estate sold the house and property to the University for $197,400. Recently, the Center for Louisiana Studies has rehabilitated the building, making interior refurbishments, heating and cooling system upgrades, structural and plumbing repairs, interior and exterior painting, as well as improved accommodations for accessibility.