7519 Hampson St.

District: Carrollton - Partial Control

Owner: Venture Restoration LLC

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing 

Applicant: Paul Loria

Permit #: 25-04557-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”: Contributing

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  FEMA survey research indicates that 7519 Hampson was constructed from 1875-1885. The double shotgun retains it's massing, wood windows, large wrap around front porch, and decorative gable detailing.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: New Construction of a single-family residential building.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: Rehabilitation would be costly but not impossible but replication in a new construction would not be likely.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District: This is an incredibly intact block of one and two story residential buildings that 7519 Hampson continues to add to the historic tout-ensemble of. 

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Staff conducted an interior and exterior inspection on February 6, 2025. The building is a wood-framed building rests on a pier and be foundation. The exterior was clad in wood weatherboards with a rear addition constructed of barge board that were covered in asphalt shingles. The front gable was covered in stucco on wire lath with a decorative cornice atop the gable window.

The rear additions of the building rest on a sub-standard foundation and piers. The front portion of the building's brick piers showed signs of mortar loss and settlement. The sills in some locations were damaged and have poor bearing on the piers. The joists in some locations were sagging and poorly fastened to the sills. The sagging box beam at the front porch suggested settlement and a need for shoring at the front of the house. At the rear of the building, fire damage was visible and had left the building envelope compromised. The roof of the building appeared to be at the end of it's lifespan. The wood windows were in good condition and appeared to be salvageable.

Water intrusion was evident in the building and more prominent at the rear of the structure where the fire damage occurred. Water intrusion caused plaster to buckle and fall in locations throughout the building. The attic spaces were mostly dry except for the fire damaged portions at the rear.

Staff Recommendations: 

The rear addition is in very poor condition and poorly constructed. The first two bays and the camelback addition are in salvageable condition but would require extensive shoring work that is not uncommon for a house of this age and building style. Rehabilitation of the building would be costly but not impossible. Staff recommends denial of full demolition to grade.

• Staff Recommendation: Denial