2318 Burgundy St.

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Elisabeth A Buurma 

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Master Maintenance Roofing, Co 

Permit #: 25-06055-HDLC 

HDLC Design Guidelines: 

Section 5, Page 9 of the Guidelines for Roofing state that Masonry Chimneys were typically designed to complement the style of a building and period of construction. In New Orleans, most are constructed of brick, some of which have been covered by stucco or plaster, and they are most often located within the building walls rather than be attached to an exterior wall. The rhythm and placement of chimneys typically reflect the interior organization of a building and represent an important exterior building feature.  Removal of historic chimneys is only approved by the HDLC if they are structurally deficient and requires Commission approval in advance.

Section 5, Page 5 of the Guidelines for Roofing state that Metal Roofs are not typically considered to be appropriate for highly visible roof slopes or where the original roofing material would have been slate, especially on higher style buildings.  Metal roofs may be considered for installation where minimally visible and should be specified in a darker color with a less reflective finish. 

Section 5, Pages 8-9 of the Guidelines for Roofing, state that Roof Ridge Tiles can be found on a variety of building types and styles in New Orleans, and more specifically on sloped slate, terra cotta, asbestos and asphalt roofs. They are decorative and sometimes functional elements that help define the profile of a roof against the skyline and should complement the building’s style. They are also visually important exterior architectural features that accentuate changes in roof slopes an provide additional visual character to the streetscape, and the HDLC Guidelines encourage their maintenance and retention.

Staff Recommendations:

• Retention of removal of masonry chimney: Denial with recommendation the previously existing chimney be reconstructed above the roofline to match the previous

• Installation of standing seam metal roofing: Denial with recommendation the applicant alternatively consider a Fortified asphalt shingle or aluminum shingle roof

• Removal of roof ridge tiles: Denial

Staff Recommendations: 

Retention of Masonry Chimney Removal:

The applicant has noted the masonry chimney at the left-hand structure became damaged and/or deteriorated as the result of a storm during the summer of 2024. However, documentation to demonstrate the damage at that time and/or subsequent deterioration has not been provided. Additionally, based on Pictometry analysis, the chimney appears to remain in fair to good condition, with its simple and minimal masonry corbeling visible through February 14, 2024. The current condition of the chimney is that it has been fully removed down to the roof surface without HDLC approval in advance.

The HDLC Design Guidelines note that chimneys are important decorative and functional historic exterior elements, their placement and rhythm reflect the interior organization of a building, and their removal is only approved by the Commission when demonstrated to be structurally deficient.

According to the applicant, the interior portion of the chimney remains intact and is not in danger of collapse. The chimney mortar visible at the attic interior is harder and less deteriorated than the previous exterior portion, but some repair may be required. Due to the fact the previous damage and deterioration was not documented by the owner, because the chimney was removed without HDLC review or approval, because the chimney was visually prominent from the street from the central open courtyard, and because it was simple in form with minimal decorative detailing, and is compatible with all potential replacement roof material options, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention, and recommends the interior portion be repaired, if necessary, so the exterior chimney can be reconstructed above the roofline to match the previous design, detailing, and appearance. 

Roof Replacement:

The applicant noted that the property owner would like to install new standing seam metal roofing in a charcoal gray color at both structures. They have also indicated that the roofing materials have already been purchased without prior HDLC review or approval, and so changing the roof material now would pose a financial hardship.

However, the HDLC Design Guidelines for metal roofing were updated in May 2022 with the objective of limiting standing seam metal roofing installations only to structures where this would be considered a historically appropriate roof material. For example, standing seam metal roofs are not considered appropriate for highly visible roof slopes or where the original roof material would have been slate, particularly at higher style buildings. Additionally, standing seam metal roofing is not compatible with existing historic roof ridge tiles, and so these must be fully removed for the new metal roofing to be installed. As per the HDLC Design Guidelines, roof ridge tiles are visually important decorative and functional elements that help define the profile of a roof against the skyline and complement the building's age and style and should be retained. 

While some standing seam metal roofing currently exists on both buildings, it is only installed at the covered porch additions, which both read visually as new and additive elements to the existing historic buildings. Based on the above noted Guidelines, because the installation would require removal of the ridge tiles at the left-side building, because both roof slopes are considered highly visible from the street due to the large central open courtyard, and because the original historic roof material was true slate, Staff recommends denial of the request for installation of standing seam metal roofing. Alternatively, Staff recommends the applicant instead consider a "Fortified" asphalt/fiberglass roof system, or an aluminum shingle roof system (such as Permalock), which both allow for the retention of the roof ridge tiles and can be approved at the staff level.