1611 Laharpe St.

District: Esplanade Ridge - Partial Control

Owner: East Bank Property Rentals

HDLC Staff: Michala Daniels 

Rating: Contributing 

Applicant: Alana Fleury

Permit #: 24-35517-HDLC 

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that the demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions, since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: Contributing.

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area: FEMA survey and Sanborn map research indicates the original building was likely constructed sometime in 1860 and it does not appear on a Sanborn map until 1893 as a one-story, single-family residential building. The estimated date of construction is in the middle of the period of significance for the local historic district and is contributing rated. The building also appears to have retained nearly all its original scale, massing, siting, roof form and footprint to this day.  

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None are known.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: Reconstruction of the building's craftsmanship and original decorative details would be difficult and unlikely, and potentially cost prohibitive.  

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  The one-story Creole Cottage building appears to have retained majority of its original character-defining architectural features such as the steeply pitched side gable roof that extends over the front façade to provide rain protection over the windows and doors. The original weatherboards, trim, brackets and chimney. However, some of the other building and architectural fabric observed on the building such as the enclosed transom , doors, and windows appear to be new and not original to the building. 

• The condition of the building or structure: The building was constructed with stick framed super-structure that rests on masonry piers. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles and the exterior walls are covered in wood clapboards. A visual inspection was done on December 3, 2024 after the fire on October 6, 2024. The fire damage is clear from the large section the roof  shingles that are missing . The fire severely damaged ceiling joist, wall studs  and the enclosed transom. The missing doors and windows have left the building open to the elements,  which will lead to continuous deterioration of the building. For those reasons, staff did not enter the building for a further detailed inspection. 

It is clear that rehabilitation of a building in this state would be costly and would  likely leave little of the original structure intact. For the above-mentioned reasons, Staff has no objection to the demolition to grade.

Staff Recommendation: No Objection