4905 Dauphine St.

District: Holy Cross - Full Control

Owner: Paul O. Chiriaco

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: City Of New Orleans Code Enforcement

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:  The home retains its original form and massing, and the double-occupancy shotgun exemplifies early, rural working-class housing types, typical of New Orleans' Holy Cross area.  

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: none on record

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: It would be nearly impossible to reproduce the historic detail of this craftsman shotgun.  It would be unlikely that any similar contemporary structure would incorporate the same level of detail and quality of craftsmanship and materials in its design and construction

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  This is a fairly intact Craftsman home, retaining stylistic details traditional to the style.  Now vacant and deteriorating, the building still retains several original architectural details that add to its overall special character and aesthetic interest. Characteristic of the turn-of-the-century style, the building includes its chimneys, exposed rafter tails, window and door configuration, and decorative front-facing gable with window. 

• The condition of the building or structure: Condition of the interior is unknown. Exterior inspection revealed the exterior to be in fair and salvageable condition.

Staff Recommendations: 

This wood-frame, craftsman double shotgun is estimated by FEMA to have been constructed between 1915 and 1925.  Albeit in disrepair, the home's stylistic details are largely intact: it retains several characteristics of the Craftsman style, such as exposed rafter beams, porch piers, and gable window, as well as multi-lite sidelights flanking the front entryways.  The wooden siding on the building may be original.  An interior inspection was not possible, as the HDLC Inspector could not obtain access; however, from an exterior inspection, Inspector reported that the home appears to be in salvageable condition.  Not only is the home subject to neglect, but also to active demolition: photo documentation shows that the home has been systematically disassembled over the years to facilitate deterioration.  Staff recommends that the building envelope be secured quickly--otherwise, the home will continue to deteriorate past the point of salvageability.  Bringing the property back into use does not appear to be prohibitively expensive, provided that measures are taken now to prevent further decay.

• Staff Recommendation: Denial of the request for full demolition.