2121 Chartres St

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Bcno 4 LLC

Rating: Contributing & Non-Contributing

Applicant: Walter Antin

Description: Additional review of updated arch-top opening details of a previously approved renovation of an existing Contributing and Non-Contributing rated commercial buildings for conversion to hotel use.

Previous ARC Recommendations:

10/18/2022: The ARC voted to recommend denial of the requested window detail changes. The ARC agreed that:

Door and window glazing should be clear and transparent without tint or coloring.
The overall façade is very minimal, and the previous detail iteration was preferred because the vertical mullions added depth and detail.
The large expanses of glass appear to give the false impression that these openings were originally intended to be open and without doors.
A small curb approximately 6” high should be installed at the base of the window openings.
The proposed frameless entry doors are appropriate as shown.
While they do not recommend approval of the current window details as presented, the ARC is still in favor and continues to recommend approval for the previous detail iteration.

06/14/2022: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC also agreed that:

The light fixtures in the façade channels should be less visible and more integrated, such as embedded at the base of the channel. The ARC also recommended the applicant consider any future ambient or security lighting that may be necessary so these fixtures can be integrated into the minimal and clean-lined design along Elysian Fields Avenue.
The windows units in the façade channels should be darker in color and more integrated into the channel reveal.
A subtle distinction between the proposed new brick portion of exterior wall above the existing first-floor portion to remain is appropriate, however, the break line between the two should occur at the lower edge of the brick band on the existing adjacent masonry building. Any required structural members necessary to carry the load of the new masonry needs to be included in architectural elevations and structural drawings. This element will inevitably be visible so it must be appropriately detailed and reviewed.

11/16/2021: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC agreed that:

The proposed massing of the non-historic portion is successful but the arch-top window openings shown on the Elysian Fields elevation may not be contextually appropriate for such an important thoroughfare. The HDLC Guidelines for new construction and additions require that façade details such as the size, shape and location of new window and door patterns must relate to each other and to the existing building and the other buildings on the block while reflecting and maintaining neighborhood patterns. The scale, rhythm and geometry of the openings should complement and be compatible with the existing historic building, but it is not necessarily appropriate to directly replicate those details. The applicant should reconsider the fenestration of this elevation including the size and shape of the windows such that it is more deferential to the existing adjacent historic structure and relates more to the surrounding historic context.
The arch-top window shown on the Chartres Street elevation may be more appropriate because it directly relates to the adjacent historic building openings that it replicates.
The ARC also noted that this window condition looks too commercial and does not read as two stories of interior residential program from the exterior.
The applicant should further study the Elysian Fields elevation including refining the articulation of the curtain wall itself. For example, the stucco is rendered as a single smooth surface but it will need to have control joints and these details should be included in the drawing.
The applicant could also consider maintaining the geometry of the windows but increasing the thickness and visibility of the horizontal floor band so that the curtain wall is broken up more, has more instances of shadow, relief and depth, and so it reads more as two separate floors with separate window openings from the street.
Windows visible from a public right of way should be operable from the interior and not fixed.

08/17/2021: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC agreed that:

The applicant should further investigate how the proposed building form and façade details relate to the context of the surrounding historic district. A context drawing should be submitted for the next review that shows the proposed design at-scale with the existing surrounding buildings on the Chartres and Elysian Fields block faces.
There should be more of a differentiation between the existing historic building massing and the newer portion at the corner. The ARC recommended maintaining the existing height differential between the two rather than matching the parapet height of the historic building.
The proposal must meet the HDLC Guidelines for rooftop additions with require that the new additions and handrails be appropriately set back a minimum distance of 1.5x their height.
More details should be provided on the proposed façade, stucco joints, railings at the roof, infill of openings and any other proposed permanent or immobile furniture at the roof, such as equipment, shade structures, etc. which may be visible from the public right of way.
The renderings appear to be flat and should be updated to depict the proposed façade detailing more accurately.
If the applicant plans to pursue historic tax credits for this project, then Part 2 comments from SHPO should be received before returning for additional ARC review in case their comments require substantial changes to the overall proposal.

Previous Commission Actions:

11/02/2022: The Commission was unable to reach a majority decision, resulting in no action being taken on this application. The Commission's lack of action is considered a de-facto denial. The Commission noted that it may be useful for this request to return for additional ARC review so that the information provided during the meeting regarding the building’s original industrial use and history can be considered by the ARC as part of the overall requested window changes.

07/06/2022: The Commission voted to grant conceptual approval with the details to be worked out at the Staff level.