The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission unanimously denied an application to demolish the 1894 residence at 7519 Hampson Street. In addition to the PRC, which opposed the demolition, several neighbors also showed up at the April HDLC meeting to share their thoughts on the proposal, some for it and others against. Since the building is in the Carrollton Historic District, over which the HDLC has only partial control, there would be no oversight from the commission or its Architectural Review Committee on any designs for a replacement building if demolition had been approved.
The applicant, who lives next door to the property, first applied to demolish the building when they purchased it in 2019. No permits were subsequently filed to improve the property until 2024, when the HDLC approved renovation plans with partial demolition in the back of the building; however, those plans were never realized.
The owner argued that the historic house is structurally unsound and does not fit architecturally with the rest of the neighborhood. The HDLC inspection, however, found that while portions of the rear addition are in poor condition, the main part of the house is not beyond repair. Additionally, a history of the house included in Volume IX “Carrollton” of the New Orleans Architecture book series, produced by the Friends of the Cabildo, indicates that the building was constructed at the same time as its neighbors, and provides useful context for its eclectic design, which incorporates elements of Queen Anne and Tudor Revival styles.
Blending architectural elements was a very typical practice in this city, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Variation in style and form is a key part of New Orleans’ historic character, and rehabilitating this building would preserve the scale and feel of the neighborhood more successfully than new construction.
The HDLC heard several other demolition applications at the meeting. Approval was granted for demolitions at 2924 Louisiana Ave., 2825-27 Calhoun St., and 7309 Freret St., all in the Uptown Historic District. The commission also approved the demolition of 4619 Banks St. in Mid City because of major structural deficiencies and 3230 Ursulines Ave. in Esplanade Ridge. Demolition was denied for 901 Race St. in the Lower Garden District and 600 N. Murat St. in Mid City. Commissioners approved demolition of only the rear portions of 538 First St. in the Irish Channel and 1514 N. Derbigny St. in Esplanade Ridge.
Several applicants faced heavy fines for completing work without appropriate permits. The owners of 2425 St. Philip St. in Treme were fined $20,000 after reframing the building without consulting the HDLC. Their actions modified the historic building beyond recognition. At 906 Poland Ave., the owners demolished far more of the roof and side walls than the HDLC had originally approved, resulting in a $12,000 fine. The façade of 2217 Governor Nicholls St. in Treme was completely removed, but only resulted in a $1,000 fine since the demolished materials were primarily non-historic. These retention applications are an important reminder to consult the HDLC before any work starts on projects in a historic district or on an individual Landmark and to immediately notify the HDLC when changes need to be made to any approved plans.
