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 the ARC recommendations for the new proposal for elevator enclosure at right side of Landmark, residential building.

Staff Recommendations:

The Buckner Mansion located at 1410 Jackson Ave, became a designated Landmark in 1998. At the September 16 ARC meeting, the ARC voted to defer the proposed elevator location, stating that the elevator massing was still too far forward on the property and obscured important features of the main house and infilled a portion of the porch. The ARC recommended moving the elevator at least one bay back so that it sits completely behind the porch. The HDLC 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. The wraparound porch is not only visible from the public right-of-way of Jackson Ave, but it is a main feature of the grand home.

The applicant is requesting appeal of the ARC recommendation to further setback the elevator massing based on the interior floor plan of the building. However, the interior is already being altered for the elevator vestibule. At the previous Commission hearing, the Commission requested more detailed drawings of the elevator massing and how it connects to the historic building.

With the additional details, Staff still finds the alteration to the wraparound porch a drastic change to the exterior of such an iconic and historic building, as such, Staff recommends denial of the appeal and that the Commission upholds the ARC recommendation for relocation of the elevator massing.

Previous ARC & Commission Recommendations & Actions:

10/17/25: The Commission voted to defer action on this application until the next Commission meeting to provide the chance for the architect to submit more detailed drawings of the elevator and how it connects to the historic building.

09/16/25: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC stated that the elevator massing was still too far forward on the property and obscured important features of the main house and porch. The ARC recommended moving the elevator at least one bay back so that it sits completely behind the porch. The ARC also stated that the stucco finish of the elevator massing from the previous submission was more successful than the louvered shutters.

07/22/25: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC stated that the proposed elevator shaft should be relocated further back on the building away from Jackson Ave. The ARC also agreed with the SHPO letter that recommended the elevator shaft should not extend to the third-floor attic of the main house to reduce the visual impact. The ARC again reiterated that the preferred location of the elevator and vestibule would be at the interior between the main house and the service wing.

05/20/25: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC requested the SHPO response to the current proposal. The ARC stated that the elevator shaft and vestibule should be tucked into the rear bay of the gallery rather than an exterior addition. The elevator override should be setback from the gable wall to allow it to continue undisturbed. The ARC did recommend approval of the change from wood columns to fiberglass, as long as they are an exact historic recreation.

04/09/25: CMM voted to grant conceptual approval of the reconstruction of the cupola with the details to be worked out at the staff level.

Defer action on the gallery enclosure until the next Commission meeting for additional information from the SHPOs office.

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.