518-526 Gravier St.

Description: Review of changes since previous approval for the renovation of four (4) Contributing rated three-story, mixed-use buildings for conversion to hotel use.

HDLC Design Guidelines & Staff Recommendation: 

Section 11, Pages 5-11 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.

Section 05, Page 10 of the Guidelines for Roofing state that skylights are occasionally appropriate in sloped roof building types and townhouses where dormer windows are not present. Property owners are encouraged to select skylights that do not extend more than 8" above the roof surface; minimize the overall number; locate skylights a minimum of 10'-0" back from the front building wall, and 12" below the roof ridge, in unobtrusivve locations, arranged in an orderly fasion. The installation should minimize alteration of the roof structure with the long dimension oriented down the roof slope.

• Staff Recommendation: Approval

Previous ARC Recommendations & Commission Actions:

11/18/25: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC agreed the proposed exterior changes since the previous review and approval were appropriate for the existing buildings. 

07/05/23: The Commission voted to grant conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. 

06/20/23: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC also agreed that:

• The proposed balcony appears too deep, and its depth should be reduced to about 4’-0”.

• The proposed dormer closest to Picayune Place should be shifted inward about 2’-0” to 3’-0”.

• The second-floor window sashes on the façade should be swapped so they are 6-over-9 to allow for access to proposed new balcony.

• Some of the existing doors, horizontally oriented windows, and other first-floor façade modifications are not considered appropriate for the building. While the HDLC will not require this storefront to be replaced, it strongly encourages the applicant and owner to consider including this restoration scope of work into the overall renovation project. 

Summary of Exterior Changes since Previous Review:

• Removal of the previously proposed balcony

• Replacement of the previously altered wood storefront to all matching wood storefront with the arch top windows

• New non-visible skylights at the front and rear roof slopes in lieu of previously proposed dormers at thr rear roof slope 

• New roof framing modification for new non-visible mechanical area at the rear roof slope in lieu of previously propsoed roof-mounted equipment

Context Photos:

From Gravier Street:

 From Picayune Place:

Roof Visibility:

Current Drawings:

Existing Brick Condition Photos at Picayune Place Side - Submitted by Applicant:

Previous Drawings - 06/20/2023:

New Orleans Architecture: Volume II - The American Sector:

Sanborn Maps:

HDLC CBD Historic Building Survey:

Street View: