2318 Saint Ann St.

District: Treme - Partial Control

Owner: Dooky Chase Restaurant Inc

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Zach Smith Consulting

Permit #: 25-22509-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 double shotgun at 2318 St. to have been constructed circa 1885 and is one of four remaining doubles on the block face. The building maintains it's massing, hip on gable roofline, brackets, drop lap siding and original trim.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: General maintenance and future redevelopment. 

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: It may not be cost prohibitive to replicate the massing but it would be highly unlikely that the historic details would be replicated.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:

• The condition of the building or structure: An exterior and interior inspection was conducted by HDLC Staff on July 29, 2025. The double shotgun is a wood framed structure that sits a top masonry piers with an asphalt shingle roof.

The front wall of the building retains it's brackets,  trim and drop lap siding and appeared to be straight and plumb. The window and door openings did not show any misalignment. The sides of the building have been clad in hardie board siding and new trim that appeared to be in fair to poor condition. The original wood windows and doors at all elevations have been removed for contemporary vinyl and aluminum windows and doors. The chimney closest to St. Ann Street remains in good visual condition while the two past it appeared to be compromised. The rear portion of the building is covered in vegetation that encapsulates the rear shed addition, rear gable and rear chimney.

The interior of the building was not currently inhabited and appeared to have a compromised building envelope. Water intrusion has caused the sheetrock/drywall to fall. Mold was visible in the exposed wall cavities and finishing materials. The floor system was failing throughout the building. Soft spots were felt throughout the building but predominantly at the rear indicating structural failure below. The exterior walls had newer sheetrock. This coupled with the hardie exterior siding may indicate significant portions of the exterior walls had been framed at one time.

Staff Recommendations: 

The overall condition is in very poor condition despite the condition of the primary façade. A substantial amount of demolition at the rear and significant amount of wall and floor reframing would be required to bring this building back in to commerce. The renovation would leave little, mainly the primary façade, of the historic structure and would likely be cost prohibitive. Staff recommends approval of the demolition to grade.

• Recommendation: Approve