701 Tchoupitoulas St.

Description: Request to install exterior mounted TVs and string lights at a Landmark, two-story, commercial building. 

Staff Recommendations:

701 Tchoupitoulas Street is a Significant rated, designated Landmark, constructed ca. 1830; one of the oldest buildings in the Warehouse district. The applicant is requesting to install exterior mounted television screens and multi-colored string lights on both street facing elevations of the building. The Guidelines do not permit the installation of exterior mounted television screens, as they are visually distracting and not in keeping with the architecture of the historic building.  In addition, one of the proposed televisions will obscure the fanlight transom of a French door facing Girod Street.  Staff recommends denial of the request for the television screens.

Christmas lights and other typically temporary decorative lights are subject to review by the HDLC if they are installed more than 90 days. The applicant is requesting to permanently install the multi-colored string lights at the building. The Guidelines note that any decorative lighting should be compatible in style with the building and limited to the primary entrance. Staff does not find multi-colored string lights at the façade and column posts compatible with the  1830s style building and recommends denial of the request to permanently install string lights at the street facing elevations of the building.

Context Photos:

Photos with TV and Lights installed:

Current Drawings: 

Street View:

Written Public Comment: