2343 Prytania St.

Description: New construction of a 23,535 SF multi-story gymnasium building fronting First Street and renovation of a Non-Contributing rated, two-story auditorium building including new construction of a 1,370 SF two-story addition fronting Prytania Street and located within the Louise S McGehee School campus.

Previous ARC Recommendations: 

04/22/25: Due to a lack of quorum, the ARC could not make a motion to recommend to the Commission at this meeting. As such, the following recommendations must be ratified at the following ARC meeting. The ARC members present agreed that:

Gymnasium:

• The building appears to successfully read visually as a gymnasium rather than attempting to conceal or obscure its program and use, and the scale of the proposed building appears appropriate for the existing surrounding context. 

• The proposed materiality appears appropriate, however, there was some concern that the general motif or arched reveals and openings, as applied to the entirety of the exterior, may be pushing up against the needs of the interior program. 

  • • For example, portions of the arched openings have solid wall infill at the exterior due to interior program needs, and the overall exterior design and articulation could be further studied and refined to generate better relationships between the interior spaces and the exterior architectural expression.

    • The continuity of the design around the building is appreciated, however, the proposed arches do not appear to relate to the surrounding historic context and should be reconsidered and further refined.  

    • Additionally, side elevations can potentially appear differently to better reflect the interior program and space needs while maintaining general visual continuity in the exterior architectural expression, detailing, materials, etc. 

• The ARC noted that the gymnasium program has unique needs for natural and artificial lighting, and that views to the inside from the exterior also need to be controlled. However, the exterior appearance would benefit from additional glazing or spandrel panels, closer to what is depicted in façade Option 2.

• The overall design appears to reflect a pared-down version of a historic building and may be reading too flat materially and visually. For example, there is much more detail, depth of reveal, shadow lines, etc. shown in the inspiration images than has been incorporated into the façade. The applicant should continue to study and refine the façade design and detailing so that more embellishment and articulation at the various changes of plain are incorporated.

  • • Additional façade sections and details should be included for the next review.

• The monumental stair does not yet appear to be integrated and compatible with the gymnasium building massing, materiality, and detailing. The applicant should reconsider the intent, location, and materiality of the stair, such as relocating it around the building corner where it could be more of a campus element, provide more sense of entry, and have less visibility from the surrounding streets. Additionally, because it is a new and contemporary element, the ARC did not recommend using historically inspired strategies such as wood louvered shutter screens, etc. 

Entry Lobby:

• The design, details, and materiality of the addition appear appropriate, and the ARC appreciated the visual interest provided through the architectural language, pilasters, window details, reveals, shadow lines, etc. 

  • • The ARC recommended the applicant consider utilizing a similar architectural vocabulary at the gymnasium building, as this could help the applicant to reconsider the proposed arches, so the two new structures share a common architectural language, and so there is more of a cohesive design approach across the campus. 

• The removal of the existing lower storefront glazing at the right-side elevation is appropriate.

Context Photos:

Gymnasium on First Street:

Entry Lobby on Prytania Street:

Current Drawings:

Stair Visibility From St. Charles Avenue:

Previously Reviewed Drawings - 04/22/25:

Sanborn Maps:

Street View:

Written Public Comments:

Received Previously - 04/22/25: