1815 Kerlerec St.

District: Esplanade Ridge - Partial Control

Owner: Gina Kennedy

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Twenty 9 Eleven Construction LLC

Permit #: 24-07879-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 estimates the construction of 1815 Kerlerec to have been completed around 1850. The building retains it's original footprint and massing and remains an anchor to the center of the 1800 block with it's neighboring one and a half story creole cottage.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: New Construction

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: The massing of this building would not be hard to replicate but the construction method of brick and post would definitively not be replicated as it would be cost prohibitive. 

• The condition of the building or structure: The HDLC Inspector conducted an exterior and interior inspection on April 2, 2025. The the building at 1815 Kerlerec appeared to be in good to fair condition. The building is a pre civil war brick and post construction that sits on a masonry foundation.

The exterior of the building was clad in drop lap wood siding as well as vinyl siding. The roofing material was asphalt shingles that showed signs of deterioration with some patches on the dormers. The windows were aluminum frames and at most locations lacked appropriate trim to properly shed water. The predominant remaining architectural features remaining were the brackets under the front soffit, double dormers and drop lap siding. The rear of the building appeared to be in poor condition and was heavily modified.

The interior of the building is currently not inhabited. There were visible signs throughout the building of an active termite infestation. Water intrusion was present at the dormers and gables causing the drywall/plaster to fail and mold growth. At the rear, service additions that contained the the kitchens and baths, had holes in the floor.

On March 2, 2025 HDLC Staff conducted a second interior and exterior inspection after exploratory demolition was completed to confirm the existing framing condition.

The exterior front wall is constructed with brick in between posts. Underneath the exterior droplap siding and under the plaster on the interior the wood posts showed significant damage from wood destroying insects. There were considerable gaps in the bricks and mortar from water intrusion. On the front left side of the building the wall in deflecting and allowed daylight to come through. The front wall, the most significant portion of the building, has significant deficiencies and would require significant restructuring. Much of the brick and wood that remained would have to be removed and replaced leaving very little of the historic fabric.

Staff Recommendations: 

The rehabilitation of the building would be cost prohibitive considering very little of the historic fabric remains in salvageable condition. HDLC Staff recommends approval of the demolition to grade in order to building a new construction.

• Staff Recommendation: Approve