1137 Saint Charles Ave.

ARC & Staff Recommendations: 

The building was nominated for Landmark status in 2009. Originally the Jerusalem Temple, the former home of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, completed in 1917. The Moorish Revival facade was designed by noted New Orleans architect, Emile Weil. The current proposal is for a rooftop deck with handrails and new openings at the existing penthouse. The applicant is appealing all of the ARC recommendations for the proposed rooftop deck. 

At the February 18 ARC meeting, the ARC stated that the new rooftop deck should be pushed towards the center of the roof so that it aligns with the existing penthouse. The ARC also recommended that the proposed walkway be reduced in length as much as possible while maintaining Fire Marshall approval to minimize the amount of railing needed. These recommendations were based on the HDLC Guidelines that strive to make all rooftop additions, elevator and mechanical equipment, and furnishings as unobtrusive or minimally visible from the public way as possible. As currently proposed, the handrails for the deck are less than 10'-0" away from the edge of the parapet and are highly visible from the overpass. Further, the existing parapet wall is quite low at only 2'-9". Staff supports the ARC recommendations to minimize visibility of the new rooftop deck and recommends denial of the appeal. 

The ARC also stated that the new sliding doors at the penthouse should be relocated to correspond to the new roof terrace to further reduce visual clutter at the rooftop. Staff supports the ARC recommendation, but leaves the decision at the discretion of the Commission.

The final ARC recommendation was that no additional elements that increase visual mass will be approved for the rooftop. These items would include shade structures, poles for string lights, etc. This does not include items that are temporary in nature (installed for less than 30 days), as the HDLC does not have jurisdiction over temporary items. Staff supports the ARC and recommends denial of the appeal.

02/18/25: The ARC recommended conceptual approval with the details to be worked out at the staff level, with the proviso that no additional elements that increase visual mass will be added.  The ARC stated that the roof terrace should be pulled back from the edge of the building and align with the existing penthouse.  The walkway should be removed as much as possible while maintaining Fire Marshall approval.  The ARC agreed that the new sliding doors at the penthouse should be relocated to correspond to the new roof terrace.  The ARC highly recommended against the installation of shade structures, string lights, etc. that would cause visual clutter at the rooftop.