753-759 St Charles Ave., 713 Julia St.

Description: Changes to previously approved renovation of Contributing rated, three-story, commercial building. 

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 8, Pages 12 & 20 of the Guidelines for Windows and Doors state that the arrangement, size and proportions of window and door openings are key components of a building’s style and character. Different window configurations are associated with specific architectural periods and styles. Altering the window type, style, shape, material, size, component dimension, muntin pattern or location can dramatically alter the appearance of the building. As a result, the modification or addition of window or door openings, particularly on more prominent building façades, is discouraged. This includes the infill of all or part of an opening to make it smaller or to visually remove it.

Section 11, Pages 10-11 of the Guidelines for Commercial Buildings state that making changes to storefronts or installing new storefronts can be a costly endeavor, which if not properly planned, might negatively impact a business. When contemplating storefront work, the HDLC recommends:

• Identify key historic elements  in the existing storefront or building style to determine what might be appropriate.

• Locate structural supports to inform where openings, such as windows and doors can be installed.

• Review other storefronts at other historic buildings. Existing storefronts can provide information about the size, location and pattern of doors and windows; the types of materials used; the design of the elements including the display windows, doors, bulkheads and cornice; and the detailing and proportions of the components.

• The new storefront design should be compatible in size, pattern, scale, material and color with the overall building and similar storefronts from the period. The elements of the design should be considered holistically and should not include elements from multiple buildings and styles.

Previous ARC Recommendations:

03/14/23: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC agreed that:

• Because the proposed balconies are above a public right of way, there should be an approximate 1.75” space between the balcony deck and the bottom rail to meet code requirements and to maintain a gap to allow water to be shed and small debris to be captured.

• The treatment of the garage door opening bay on St. Charles Avenue to match the adjacent bay openings is successful, but the detailing should be refined to match more closely. The ARC recommended adding stiles to the left and right sides of the horizontal louvered opening and vertical muntins to match more closely with the configuration of the door below. The ARC also recommended the applicant consider aligning the horizontal transom bar more closely with the adjacent openings, since this will be visible below the line of the proposed awning, however, this is not required if it will impact the minimum area necessary for intake-air ventilation.

10/18/22: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC requested further study of the mansard canopies. The columns should have more weight or there should be more columns; the glass enclosure could also be wrapped further around the canopy at the St Charles façade. The ARC stated that the new balconies should not have the decorative brackets to match the existing. Window openings could be reintroduced at the octagonal tower to break up the massing. The ARC requested further detailing of the trellis at the octagonal tower, the guardrail and its relationship to the existing parapet, and the perforated doors at the east and south elevations. 

08/16/22: The ARC recommended conceptual approval with the details to be worked out at the staff level with storefront details to return to the ARC if they are changed from the existing condition. 

Context Photos:

Current Drawings: 

Previous Drawings - 10/18/22: 

Previous Drawings - 8/16/22: 

Street View: