Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Rault Center High-Rise Fire of 1972

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 1, 2026

1. The Rault Center High-Rise Fire of 1972 Marker

Inscription. At this site on November 29, 1972, 6 people lost their lives in the Rault Center high-rise fire. The fire led to a change in state and federal building codes, mandating the installation of sprinkler systems in highrise buildings. Louisiana was the first state to enact the new codes. The Rault Center is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 29, 1972.

Location. 29° 57.2′ N, 90° 4.466′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Gravier Street west of Rampart Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1111 Gravier Street, New Orleans LA 70112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jazz (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hurricane Katrina Memorial (about 300 feet away); The Clarinet (about 300 feet away); Louis Armstrong (about 300 feet away); The Pythian Temple (about 400 feet away); Shell Building

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(about 500 feet away); Sears Building (about 600 feet away); Military Women's National Monument (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

Regarding The Rault Center High-Rise Fire of 1972. The building was unused for many years before being converted into the Troubadour Hotel in 2017.

Also see . . . Today in New Orleans History: Rault Center Fire. (Submitted on April 7, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 1, 2026

2. The Rault Center High-Rise Fire of 1972 Marker

The Rault Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 1, 2026

3. The Rault Center

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.