New Orleans HDLC
On May 6, the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission issued a $6,000 fine to the owner of 2001-2003 Royal St. The fine resulted after the owner removed part of the roof without a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HDLC. The HDLC issued two Stop Work orders in March and April 2026.
A portion the exterior wall was deteriorating and was also demolished without a permit, though the amount removed was not enough to warrant an additional fine. However, the loss of historic material at the 19th-century 19th building in the Faubourg Marigny Historic District is particularly concerning because it is an example of brick-between-post, or briqueté-entre-poteaux, construction, emblematic of early Creole-style buildings in Louisiana. The construction method is characterized by a heavy timber frame held together by mortise and tenon, with soft local brick infill completing the wall structure.
At the HDLC meeting, a representative for the owner noted that the work was done with the intention of securing the building, since some bricks had already fallen off the structure. Commission Chair Jennie West noted that doing this work without a permit is unacceptable and that the HDLC’s tiered fine structure exists to encourage people to get the necessary approvals before they start work in historic districts.
