819 Belleville St.

District: Algiers Point - Full Control

Owner: Live Nola LLC

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Zach Smith Consulting & Design

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:  819 Belleville Street is a contributing rated building in the Algiers Historic District. Although the date of construction is unclear, Sanborn Map research (see below) indicates that a similar building in shape and size did occupy the site as early as 1896. It is surmised that the original two-family residential building was slightly enlarged and redeveloped into a single-family building by 1950. Currently, the residence does not exhibit many character defining features that it might have once had. Consequently, the building only adds to the tout ensemble of the area in maintaining its form, size, and location within the surrounding block of Belleville Street. 

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: Prior to the request for demolition, an HDLC Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued for the construction of a rear addition. The property owner has expressed that storm damage and significant wood rot and termite damage have led to the petition for demolition. 

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  Throughout the building's history, a number of unsympathetic alterations have taken place. The current iteration of the building includes a highly altered front façade, aluminum and vinyl replacement windows, inappropriate exterior doors, and vinyl siding. Overall, the only aesthetic interest of the building is its size, form, and location. 

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: Due to the lack of character defining features, the overall scale and form of the building could be reproduced. However, existing/historic structural material would be lost as a result. 

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Inspector Alex Nassar performed an interior and exterior inspection of the building on February 23, 2023. The inspection determined the building to be in poor to very poor structural condition. The inspection photographs (below) show that construction for an approved rear addition was started, but deteriorated wall structure and subsequent storm damage inhibited the project from moving forward. The rear shed roof addition, where the addition was to connect to the existing building, is currently collapsing. This condition has also caused leaning of the left-side elevation wall structure. "Overall, the original part of the building is in poor condition and shows signs of extreme neglect and active removal of any salvageable building elements. There is no significant evidence of wood destroying insects or water intrusion damage to the original part of the structure. However, the rear addition is collapsing and should be removed immediately. Renovation of the building would be costly and any historically contributing part of the building outside of its footprint and form no longer exists."

Staff Recommendations:

819 Belleville Street only contributes to the surrounding district through maintaining its historic form and size. The present condition of the building highlights significant structural damage as well as the absence of character defining features or historic material. Damage at the rear of the building is currently impacting its main core. Based on the findings in the inspection report, Staff has no objection to full demolition provided that redevelopment plans be submitted. Because the building is located in a full control district, the redevelopment will require HDLC ARC review and approval. Staff has no objection if demolition is contingent on this process. 

• Staff Recommendation: No objection provided that redevelopment plans are submitted.