317 Baronne St.

Description: Installation of a retractable awning system installed at the rooftop pool area at a Landmark, eight-story, commercial building.

Previous ARC Recommendations:

11/15/23: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review.  The ARC stated that the proposed awning system must meet the setback requirements set forth by the HDLC Guidelines (attached).  The ARC recommended that the awning system be further refined so that it is less industrial and more contextual to the building or the existing rooftop addition.     

Staff would like to note that rooftop additions to Significant rated buildings are not permitted by the HDLC Guidelines, and that this proposal will require full review by the Commission.

Case History (Rooftop Addition):

01/13/16: Commission granted approval of the renovation and rooftop addition with details to be worked out at the Staff level.

12/18/15: The ARC recommended conceptual approval of the proposal for the renovation.  As rooftop additions are expressly prohibited by the HDLC Guidelines, it is the position of the Staff that this portion of the proposal be denied, especially considering the high visibility of this location from the public right of way.  However, you may decide to appeal this recommendation to the Commission. The ARC agreed that the proposed utility vault doors on the Union Street elevation are appropriate. The ARC agreed that a modified version of "Option 2" of the proposed O'Keefe Avenue facade alteration was the most appropriate in that it maintained the most historic fabric.  There should be less glass in the doors and this should not extend lower than the existing horizontal masonry band.  No grillwork should be added to the doors.

11/24/15: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC requested that a mock-up of the proposed rooftop addition be installed so that the visibility from the public right-of-way can be determined.  Please contact the Staff once it has been installed so we can inspect.  The committee also recommended exploring alternative locations to the service entry doors that are currently proposed for the O'Keefe Street elevation.  They agreed that the removal or modification of this fundamental portion of the original historic fabric is not appropriate.  The proposed modification to the pedestrian entrance of that elevation is also not advisable.  The proposed modifications to the doors on the Union Street elevation to accommodate the utility vaults should be re-worked to provide a panel at the base in line with that of adjacent openings.  The ARC agreed that the proposed infill of the offset portions of the massing at the former light well was appropriate.

Context Photos:

Current Drawings: 

Prevous Drawings - 11/15/23: 

Street View: