1410 Jackson Ave.

District: Garden District - Partial Control

Owner: Nouri Edward Hakim

HDLC Staff: Wendy Cargile

Rating: Landmark

Applicant: John C Williams

Permit #: 25-04295-HDLC

Description: Appeal ARC denial of the enclosure of the rear gallery for elevator vestibule and the ARC recommendation for approval of the reconstruction of the historic cupola and addition of an elevator.

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 9, Page 12 of the Guidelines for Porches, Galleries and Balconies

Appeal Items:

Enclose portion of rear gallery: Denial.

ARC & Staff Recommendations:

The Buckner Mansion located at 1410 Jackson Ave, became a designated Landmark in 1998. The current proposal is for the renovation and restoration of the historic cupula based on historic photographs. As well as the installation of a new elevator, without an override, and the enclosing of a portion of the rear gallery for the elevator vestibule. The ARC recommended approval of the cupula and the installation of the elevator. However, the ARC denied the request to enclose a portion of the rear gallery, as it does not meet the Guidelines. The Guidelines emphasize the importance of these exterior transitional spaces that show how the building historically functioned. The Guidelines state, that the HDLC does not permit enclosing of any porch, gallery or balcony that is visible from the public right-of-way. This gallery not only faces Coliseum St and is highly visible, this building is also a Landmark of great architectural importance. The architect is requesting to enclose the porch for the vestibule, rather than having to rework the intact historic interior, causing damage to plaster and changing the size/shape of the rooms affected. Staff agrees with the ARC that enclosing any portion of the rear gallery would be a radical alteration to the exterior and recommends denial of the ARC appeal. Staff recommends that the Commission ratify the ARC conceptual approval of the renovation and construction of the cupula.

03/25/25: The ARC recommended conceptual approval of the reconstruction of the historic cupola and installation of an elevator with the details to be worked out at the staff level. The ARC stated that the proportions of the cupola should be refined to match the historic photo. The final drawings submitted for HDLC review should include all elevations and should clearly show the changes to the existing building.

The ARC recommended denial of the rear gallery enclosure for the elevator vestibule, as enclosing historic galleries/porches does not meet the HDLC Guidelines.