upon his death in 2001, the mansion was bought by a construction company with the intend to demolish it and develop the land. however, the house had been established as cultural heritage by the municipal department of culture heritage in 1997, ensuring its preservation.

educator and antiques dealer sera carlos alberto de oliveira turned the house into a cultural center in 2002, dedicated to his mother julieta de serpa. the building is an example of french neo-classical architecture common to the second half of the 18th century.