916 Foucher St.

District: Uptown - Partial Control

Owner: Miii LLC

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing (But Altered)

Applicant: Sean Fisher

Description: Renovation of a camel back and demolition of more than 50% of the wall structure of a Contributing (but altered), three-family residential building.

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition, state 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. As a result, the HDLC rarely considers the demolition of Significant or Contributing buildings or structures within a local Historic District or on a Landmark site to be an appropriate option.

Staff Recommendation:

FEMA research dates the construction at 916 Foucher from 1980-1990. However Fire Insurance Maps show the building and it's accessory structures in 1893. The 1980-1990 designation is more than likely do to the addition to the right of the original building. The original building was a single bay shotgun camelback with a porches at the front, rear and side with a balcony at the second floor and an exterior staircase to the second floor. The site also included an raised accessory structure to the left of the building and a slab on grade accessory structure to the rear.

The building has retained it's massing but has been heavily altered. The front porch still retained it's original columns in 2007. The porch was encapsulated to create a bathroom and a closet as evidenced by the original trim and cornices seen in the respective rooms. The side and rear porches were also encapsulated as well as the exterior staircase to create the tetris-like building that exists today.

The applicant has taken the time to work with the HDLC on a creating a solution that will partially restore as well as renovate the building to meet contemporary building codes. While the HDLC does not have jurisdiction over what goes back in the Partial Control Uptown historic district the efforts toward restoration by the applicant should be noted. Staff has no objection.