On September 2, the Historic District Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to nominate 8133 Spruce Street for consideration as a local landmark.
PRC spoke in favor of the nomination of 8133 Spruce Street, which was designed by notable architect H. Jordan Mackenzie for consideration as a local landmark. Two neighbors spoke in support of the nomination, one of whom had nominated the buidling. A representative of Stuart Hall School, which acquired the property in May 2026, also spoke and assured the commission that they intend to use historic tax credits to restore the property.
The 1911 residence is highlighted in the notable New Orleans Architecture series, Volume IX about the Carrollton neighborhood under the Selective Architectural Inventory. The author, architectural historian Robert J. Cangelosi, Jr., cites a 1911 Daily States article that mentions the terracotta roof tile on the two-story frame building which gives the house a Mediterranean feel.
Prominently situated on the corner of Spruce and Dublin streets, the stately home assumes a significant status within the neighborhood, being set back from the streets with an expansive sloping lawn. The wide, wraparound porch, spacious overhanging eaves on the hipped roof, and multi-story canted bays add to the building’s imposing quality. Fortunately, the residence has retained its integrity over the years.
We look forward to the building being returned to use. There are other excellent examples around the greater New Orleans area where schools have successfully incorporated historic houses into functional parts of their campus, including several at McGehee including Mathilde Hall and the Bradish Johnson house, several at Trinity including “Jack’s House” on Josephine Street, in addition to 1116 Short Street at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, and the Van Slate house at St. Martins.
The commission also denied demolition of the c. 1905 raised basement house at 1830 Fern Street, also in Carrollton. The applicant stated they intend to appeal the decision to the New Orleans City Council. Three people at the meeting opposed the demolition, including a representative from the Central Carrollton Residents Association and an architect who lives nearby and stated that in her professional opinion, the building was salvageable. The commission additionally received 18 written public comments in opposition to the proposed demolition.
PRC also spoke at the meeting and agreed with the HDLC staff’s assessment that the property was not a good candidate for demolition. Partial demolition is appropriate to reverse certain alterations to the building, including the enclosed front porch and side addition.
According to online real estate websites, it appears that the current owners acquired the property in July 2026, presumably knowing the current condition of the building. We urged the commission to deny the application for full demolition, allowing the owners an opportunity to secure the building envelope to avoid further deterioration and consider alternatives to demolition.
The structural condition assessment provided with the demolition application indicated several challenges, all of which are issues that property owners face on a regular basis in a historic city like New Orleans, including termite damage, lead and asbestos, moisture intrusion, and deterioration.
In addition to being in a local historic district regulated by the HDLC, the property is also located in the Carrollton Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the property is potentially eligible for both state and federal Historic Tax Credits, which could offset up to 45% of qualified construction costs for the owner. The PRC offers resources and guidance on that process for the public.
