3100 Calhoun St.

District: Carrollton - Partial Control

Owner: RCR Claiborne Venture III LLC

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Non-Contributing

Applicant: Zach Smith Consulting & Design

Permit #: 26-08818-HDLC 

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”: Non-Contributing, however, the structure exhibits qualities and characteristics that warrant additional consideration. 

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  While the building was constructed outside the period of significance for the Carrollton local historic district (1840 to 1937), Ted’s Frostop is considered a New Orleans cultural institution. The building was constructed in 1955 by Ted Sternberg, who eventually went on to own seven Frostop locations in Louisiana and Arkansas. The iconic neon-lit Root Beer mug signage, designed and patented by T.W. Ganus in 1958, graced the building until 2005, when Hurricane Katrina toppled the mug. It sat upside down for years, ultimately becoming a symbol of the City’s renewal when it was righted and placed back atop its pole next to the freshly renovated building in 2012.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: The applicant has not provided information regarding alternative options to demolition that may have been explored, such as retention or adaptive reuse of the existing structure. However, the unique and flamboyant building signage has already been granted Classic Sign status and so both elements can potentially be retained and incorporated into the facade of the proposed redevelopment.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: While modest in scale and footprint, the existing one-story structure would likely be difficult to replicate under current conditions due to its overall aesthetic character, design approach, and integrated features. The building reflects a mid-20th-century commercial design ethos prioritizing visual expression, novelty, and automobile-oriented visibility, resulting in a highly stylized overall building form, expressive architectural roofline, and integrated large-scale signage and neon lighting elements. By contrast, contemporary commercial construction  typically emphasizes efficiency, standardization, and cost control, which would likely diminish or preclude such exaggerated forms and custom detailing. Additionally, the building’s extensive use of neon would be difficult to replicate today due to the limited availability of skilled fabricators and maintenance expertise, and the scale and placement of the signage would not comply with current zoning regulations. Based on this, while a new building could be constructed, the distinctive architectural character and design qualities of the existing structure would likely be difficult, if not impossible, to reproduce in contemporary new construction.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  Frostop was established in 1926 and became a prominent regional presence with significant ties to the New Orleans area. In 1954, T.W. Ganus opened the South’s first Frostop in Kenner and later patented the revolving root beer mug sign in 1958, a design manufactured locally on Magazine Street and distributed nationwide. By 1959, national franchising operations were directed from New Orleans. At its peak, Frostop operated approximately 350 locations nationwide; however, as of 2026, only a small number remain, with even fewer retaining their original buildings.

Although constructed outside the period of significance, the building continues to contribute to the Carrollton and Uptown district’s broader cultural and visual character as a rare and intact example of mid-20th-century drive-in commercial architecture. It is an exceptional surviving example of the kind of fast-food outlets that proliferated along America’s highways in the 1950s and 1960s in response to the surge in automobile ownership, car culture, roadside commerce, and fast-food service. It also appears to have retained its original architecturally expressive roof and building form, prominent signage, integrated neon and fluorescent lighting, and distinctive exterior elements such as checkerboard tile cladding and slender, raked structural supports.

Architecturally, the building reflects characteristics associated with Googie-influenced commercial design, a style identified in the early 1950s and defined by expressive forms, bold signage, and a focus on roadside visibility and immediacy. Its longstanding operation at this location since 1955, combined with its iconic signage and strong community associations, has established the site as an informal local landmark within the public realm. As such, the building contributes to the tout ensemble of the district by illustrating a later layer of development that complements, rather than detracts from, the area’s historic character. Additionally, while the property has not been formally nominated for landmark study, Staff finds that it appears to meet applicable criteria based on its noted architectural distinctiveness and cultural significance. Additional historic research prepared by HDLC Principal Architectural Historian, Yvette Jett,  is included with this report.

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Staff completed an exterior visual inspection of the building on April 3, 2026, and determined it to be in fair to good overall condition. The building appears to have been continuously occupied and well maintained. The low-sloped roof is minimally visible from the public right-of-way but appears to be intact with no obvious signs of deterioration or active failure. Exterior walls and cladding appear generally sound, with minor areas of wear, weathering, and localized repairs. Windows and doors are intact and functional in appearance, with no significant visible deterioration. Site elements, including the canopy, trim, and integrated signage, remain largely intact, though some aging and deferred maintenance are evident. Overall, the structure does not exhibit signs of severe structural distress or advanced deterioration.

Staff Recommendations: 

While the building was constructed outside the period of significance, it remains in good condition with minimal alterations and exhibits special qualities that reflect a distinctive and increasingly rare mid-20th-century drive-in commercial typology. It retains a recognizable level of architectural integrity, including its expressive form and integrated signage, and possesses strong cultural significance as a longstanding and widely recognized local commercial establishment. The building also contributes to the broader visual and cultural character of the district. Based on these factors, Staff recommends denial of the request for demolition to grade. In the event that demolition is approved, Staff recommends a proviso that the Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition shall not be issued until any associated new construction permit is ready for issuance by the Department of Safety and Permits.

• Recommendation: Denial. However, if approval is granted, Staff recommends a proviso that the CofA for demolition shall not be issued until any associated new construction permit is ready for issuance by the Department of Safety and Permits.