500 Piety St.

Description: New construction of a six-story mixed-use building on a vacant lot. Massing and design changes to previously-approved five-story mixed-use commercial building proposal.

Previous ARC Comments: 

09/19/23:

• The fifth and sixth story massing still reads as aggressive over the lower brick portions of the building. This massing could be resolved by altering the interior program at that area, or by incorporating additional metal framework elements at the fifth floor, continuing that language already expressed on the ground floor to visually “lighten” the overall massing. 

• The steel frame at the easterly-facing entry should be reduced to two stories in height and the entry piece at the westerly-facing elevation could be three stories.

07/18/23:

• Although the new massing of the sixth-floor roof-top portion of the building does read as more aggressive, it is successful in incorporating the previous exterior stair. The easterly-facing elevation at this area needs additional fenestration rather than the proposed blind openings. 

• This condition could potentially be achieved through matching the condition shown at the westerly-facing elevation. 

• The bulk of the bathroom facing Chartres Street at the roof-top could be reduced by lowering the ceilings as much as possible. 

• The metal canopy entrance structure at the easterly-facing elevation should match the two-story height of the same structure at the westerly-facing elevation. 

03/22/22:

• Explore options to lighten the edges of the perforated screens at the top of the colonnade at the first floor level. 

• Upriver/right-side elevation colonnade to terminate into a condition other than grass. Continue the paving or ramp to this area to achieve that. 

• First floor should read more as a storefront with more transparency. This condition could be achieved by continuing the pilasters from above to the ground level and adding glazing between. 

• Penthouse roof top area reads as an additional story. To achieve a more successful setback condition on the Upriver/right-side elevation, move the curtain wall to be behind columns rather than flush with the edge. The ARC approximated a 5’ setback for this area. 

02/15/22:

• The use of brick and overall articulation presented a deviation from a clean industrial appearance to a decorative overly stylized building. Utilize more contemporary uses of brick for precedent. 

• Use a more cohesive design approach for the prominence of the site itself. Overall, the building might be too massive for the site. 

• Potentially move the building away from the bridge and locate parking on either side to give space between the existing bridge and the proposed building. 

• The penthouse no longer reads as such and presents as an additional two stories on the box form of the main building. The flush glazing at this area should be pulled back 6-8’ from the exterior wall. 

• The change in size of side elevation windows, diminishing the ratio between glass and brick, is an unfavorable revision. 

• Lessening the amount of covered outdoor space is viewed as a negative. 

7/23/19:

• Remove cast stone horizontal banding throughout project.

• Develop column and handrail details.  The columns appear to be too spindly for the mass of the building.  This is a major design element and needs to not be generic.

• The parking lot side entrance shading device is not successful.  The element should be functional for sun control and not read as upside down handrails.

• Add height to the punched openings and develop divisions and operability.

• The shade structures on the roof terrace should be altered such that they do not exist over enclosed building spaces.  The shade structures should move away from the East side of the building to be more prominent on the West side of the building.  

06/18/19:

• Landscaping, specifically a row of trees on the Eastern side near the bike parking, seating areas and lobby entry.

• Make the East walls of Tenant 1 and Tenant 3 more operable to directly connect and engage the public pedestrian traffic.

• The site of this building is unique in that it is adjacent to one of the most iconic pieces of public art in New Orleans.  The building needs to respect and compliment the pedestrian bridge to Crescent Park.  Specifically, develop the details of the galleries on Chartres St façade which is currently depicted in a very generic way.  Draw materiality and articulation of elements from the immediate context, specifically the public riverfront park, pedestrian bridge, and industrial aesthetic.  The galleries should be utilized as the sculptural element of the building as its scale and placement put it in direct dialogue with the unique context.

• The stairwell on the Chartres St side of the building should follow the stepping back of the building per the zoning requirements.  Utilizing this as an architectural device should be explored.

• Replace the cable guardrail surrounding the mechanical units with a solid parapet wall of the same material as the wall below.

• Remove horizontal banding aesthetic of floor slabs to emphasize the verticality of building elements.

• Clarify the disparate elements on the east elevation – bring glass wall of vertical circulation element out, modify canopy at lobby entrance to become an autonomous element, add pilasters to brick wall to emphasize these elements.

Context Photos:

Current Drawings:

Previous Drawings - 9/19/23:

Previous Drawings - 07/18/23:

Previous Drawings (Received ARC Approval) - 03/22/22:

Previous Drawings - 02/15/22:

Previous Drawings - 07/15/2019:

Previous Drawings - 06/07/2019:

Street View: