The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission at its July 9 meeting denied three requests to demolish residential buildings in the Uptown Historic District that retain their historic shape and some historic features despite being altered. Applicants for all three stated they plan to appeal the HDLC’s decision to the New Orleans City Council.
The same applicant requested to demolish 705-707 Austerlitz St. and 4854 Camp St., both of which HDLC staff determined were in good structural condition and excellent candidates for rehabilitation.
At 705-707 Austerlitz St. HDLC staff determined that necessary repairs to the c. 1940 Craftsman style building would primarily be cosmetic. The applicant said the building had been neglected for years and that the cost of restoration would exceed the cost of new construction. Several neighbors submitted letters opposing the demolition.
An HDLC staff inspection of the single shotgun at 4854 Camp St. highlighted the mostly intact late 19th century interior including original wood floors, fireplace surrounds and mantels. HDLC staff determined the altered facade could be restored with minimal intervention. The applicant called the building structurally unstable and argued that a new building could be a “more historically accurate and significant structure to the neighborhood.” In response, one commissioner stressed the distinction between a historic building from the past and buildings that replicate historic styles, noting that the HDLC’s mandate is to preserve the former, rather than encourage the latter.
The applicant for the Austerlitz and Camp Street houses acknowledged that both properties could be redeveloped but said it would be easier to start fresh.
Demolition of a multi-family residential building at 15-17 Cromwell Place was also denied after HDLC staff determined the building is in fair condition and another excellent candidate for rehabilitation. The applicant and owner, who lives next door, acquired the property in 2024 and stated they explored renovation but after consulting with several architects and contractors decided that demolition was the better solution.
The building has, until recently, been occupied by student tenants and has become a nuisance for neighbors. The president of the University Neighborhood Association said the organization had received no opposition from neighbors regarding the proposed demolition. The commission concluded that the HDLC staff report is consistent with other demolition requests across the city. Following the staff recommendation, the commission voted unanimously to deny the request.
The commission also considered several retention applications, including at 2015 Audubon St., also Uptown, where contractors demolished the front room of a residential building during renovation work in deviation of the Certificate of Appropriateness. The owners stated the demolition was done without their knowledge. After hearing the circumstances, which was new information for the HDLC staff as well, the commission voted to fine the owners $5,000, less than the $16,825 to $32,660 fine tier that staff originally recommended.
The other retention applications were significant reminders of how important it is to get the correct permits before doing work on the exterior of buildings in historic districts. In particular, the commissioners reminded the public that installation of HVAC requires HDLC review and HDLC violations remain with a property even after a property is sold to a new owner. Before purchasing a property, prospective buyers should consult the city of New Orleans One Stop App to determine if there are any existing violations on a given property.
FORMER HARD ROCK SITE GETS LANDMARK STATUS
At the Central Business District HDLC meeting, the commission voted unanimously to designate the vacant lot at 1031 Canal St. as a local historic landmark.
It is the former location of the 1939 F.W. Woolworth building, where in 1960 several members of the Congress of Racial Equality staged a sit-in at the all-white counter that lasted five hours and ended in the arrests of all protestors. The event prompted other sit-ins and is a significant event in New Orleans Civil Rights history.
Woolworth’s closed in 1997 and in 2019, the site was the location of the partially constructed Hard Rock Hotel, which collapsed and killed Jose Ponce Arreola, Anthony Magrette and Quinnyon Wimberley.
The property was nominated by the New Orleans City Council and is located in the Canal Street Historic District, which already would require HDLC review for any new development at the property. Designation does not add any oversight from HDLC but perhaps will help recognize the significant and tragic events that have occurred at the location.
