1453 N Robertson St.

District: Treme - Full Control

Owner: Doreen Ketchens

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Doreen Ketchens

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 (Poor Condition)

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  Based on FEMA survey research, the existing stick framed side hall building was possibly constructed  as early as 1870, within the period of significance for the local historic district. However, the building does not appear on Fire Insurance Maps until 1893.  In the last decade the building has fallen into extreme disrepair with a tree growing in the middle of the building at one point.  Succession issues have caused long delays in the possible rehabilitation of the building.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: The applicant plans to build eventually build a new single family residential building.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: The reproduction of the architectural elements may be cost prohibitive. The extent of the wood destroying insects and vandalism has rendered a good portion of unsalvageable.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  The one-story shotgun has suffered great neglect but is indicative of the surrounding single-family buildings.

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Inspector Alex Nassar performed an exterior and interior visual inspection on March 7, 2023 and found the building to be in Fair (Front Portion) to Very Poor (Rear Portion). On the exterior the roof shingles were deteriorated with visible holes at compromised areas of the roof. The wood weatherboards show signs of deterioration, and many are missing or partially detached. Masonry piers are deteriorated and crumbling. The windows are boarded and/or missing. The windows at the primary façade likely the only bits of fenestration that may be salvageable. The building structural system begins failing midway through the building with the rear in a partial state of collapse. Heavy vegetation covers the rear of the building.

The interior of the building was in poor condition and showed significant water intrusion and wood destroying insect damage. The walls and roof were open to the elements throughout, with the floor missing at the rear portion of the building. Much of the interior has been stripped of architectural elements.

Staff Recommendations: 

The one-story side hall shotgun shows signs of neglect and a compromised building envelope. Renovation of the building would be very costly, possibly dangerous and few original architectural elements remain. Staff has no objection to demolition to grade.

• Staff Recommendation: No objection to the demolition to grade.