920-926 Tchoupitoulas St.

Description: Renovation of (1) Contributing rated, two-story and (1) Non-Contributing rated, one-story commercial building including modification of two entry doors and openings, installation of new garage door, entry awning, and elevator overrun.

HDLC Design Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 14-19 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition state that except for camelbacks, most residential additions expand the footprint of an existing building by constructing more space at the rear or side of an existing building. If appropriately designed, additions to existing buildings can provide increased space while maintaining the historic character of the original building and streetscape. Additions to existing properties should not obscure, damage, or destroy significant architectural material and should be compatible with the design of the property, as well as the neighborhood. When constructing additions to existing buildings, property owners are encouraged to consider the integrity of the existing building and its historic significance. Similar to the principles for new construction, additions should not duplicate historic building details, but should be visually compatible. 

If allowable by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and appropriate at the specific site, the HDLC uses specific design standards to review proposals for rooftop additions such as elevator overruns. The HDLC Design Guidelines strive to make all rooftop additions as unobtrusive or minimally visible from the public right of way as possible, and requires that rooftop additions be set back from the street facades of the building by a minimum of 1.5 times the overall height of the proposed addition. 

The HDLC also requires:

• The preservation of the cohesive ambiance of historic buildings and neighborhoods with compatible, sympathetic construction.

• Compatible siting, proportion, scale, form, materials, fenestration, roof configuration, details and finishes at all additions.

• Construction of additions at secondary elevations wherever possible, subordinate to the historic building, and compatible with the design of the property and surrounding neighborhood.

• Construction of additions so that historic building fabric is not radically changed, obscured, damaged, or destroyed.

Previous ARC Recommendations: 

11/19/24: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC also agreed that:

• Option 2 showing modified millwork to achieve egress requirements is preferred. Option 1 showing recessed egress doors at openings 5 and 8 is not considered appropriate as this would negatively impact the exterior character of the historic building, give them too much prominence on the façade, and because accessible alcoves can be problematic for security.

  • • New millwork doors should mimic the appearance of the existing paired doors and should maximize the width of the door leaves.

• The proposed recessed entry storefront along Tchoupitoulas is not necessary as this area already has its own architectural language and relationship to the street, and because it can still accommodate the desired new 4’-0” canopy. 

• The interior stair at opening 7 should be shifted in plan so that the interior wall does not intersect with the first-floor door opening.

• The proposed location of the elevator overrun appears to appropriate, however, it appears large and oversized. The applicant should investigate elevator equipment that can potentially reduce the overall size and height as much as possible.

  • • Additional information on the massing and visibility of the elevator overrun should be provided to staff for additional review. This can include 3D perspective views and/or a physical mock-up.

Staff Recommendation: Approval

Context Photos:

Current Drawings:

Sanborn Maps:

HDLC CBD Historic Building Survey:

Street View: