3039-3047 Saint Claude Ave.

Description: New construction of a 5,343 SF two-story commercial motel building on a vacant lot. 

Previous ARC Recommendations: 

10/22/24: The ARC voted to defer the application for additional review. The ARC agreed that:

• The proposed building appears to depart from the immediate historic context of predominantly vernacular residential architecture and the typical scale, massing, layering, siting, fenestration patterns, materials, and roof forms that are common along the St. Claude Avenue corridor.

  • While new construction is not required to be historicist or to replicate historic buildings, it must relate to and be compatible with its immediate context.  

  • The proposed roll-up garage doors at the bar/lobby building fronting St. Claude Avenue appear to be successful. 

• The applicant should further study and refine the proposed building scale and massing so that it is more compatible with the rhythm, spacing, scale, and massing characteristics of St. Claude Avenue.

  • The stair opening on the Feliciana Street side could be treated similarly to the St. Claude Avenue side where the lobby and rooms are distinguished as two separate structures with differing heights and roof forms and a canopy between. 

    • This could help to further modulate the massing along this elevation and help to make the overall building feel more cohesive around the corner and with less of a hierarchy between the front-and-back.

  • The rhythm and massing of the main bar/lobby building could be further broken down and refined, such as through a subtle change in massing, adding an element such as a canopy, or by further emphasize the two garage door bays.

  • The primary entry sequence should be further coordinated for code requirements such as the landing and door swings, and these changes may also help to further break down its overall massing.

• The quantity and pattern of window fenestration at the rooms on the right side of the St. Claude Avenue elevation appears disconnected from the rest of the building and surrounding context, and a more appropriate fenestration should be considered at this area.

• The context drawings and renderings should be further developed to include more details (such as dimensions) and to more accurately depict the adjacent structure’s massing, fenestration, roof forms, eave heights, etc. so the proposal can be better evaluated relative to the existing context. 

• The elevation drawings for the next review should include more specific information on the proposed materials, including stucco control joints, panel seams, etc. 

Context Photos:

Current Drawings:

Previously Reviewed Drawings - 10/22/24:

Street View: