1101 Elysian Fields Ave

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Vu & Tran LLC

Rating: Non-Contributing

Applicant: Ricardo Tenorio/Spectrum Designs LLC

Description: Request to retain visually prominent roof-mounted HVAC equipment installed without a permit and to retain a metal façade canopy as-installed in deviation of approved drawings at an existing Non-Contributing rated one-story commercial building.

HDLC Guidelines:

Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment: Section 10, Pages 8-9 and 11 of the Guidelines for Site Elements and Section 11, Page 21 of the Guidelines for Commercial Properties
Metal Façade Canopy: Section 11, Pages 17-18 of the Guidelines for Commercial Properties

Retention Items & Recommendations:

Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment: Denial and for the applicant to work with Staff/ARC to develop a strategy for screening this equipment
Metal Façade Canopy: Denial

Staff Recommendations:

Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment:

The HDLC Guidelines note that roof-mounted mechanical equipment is a modern necessity, however, the design and location of this equipment can have a significant negative impact on the integrity of the existing building and surrounding historic district. The Guidelines also note that property owners are encouraged to limit the amount of rooftop mechanical equipment and to ensure all equipment is installed as unobtrusively as possible to minimize visibility from the surrounding public right of way. While the proposed locations of new roof-mounted equipment was noted in the HDLC approved drawings, the applicant did not indicate the equipment would need to be so large and visible to accommodate the new interior use. For example, these mechanical units were not indicated on the proposed elevations and thus Staff was not aware that they would be so large and so highly visible. While the existing building is Non-Contributing rated, the one-story massing and minimal existing roof parapet makes the equipment as-installed highly visible and visually obtrusive from many points in the surrounding public right of way, including the highly-trafficked intersection of St. Claude and Elysian Fields Avenues. A mechanical permit application was submitted on September 2, 2022 to install this equipment. HDLC contacted the applicant to request information for review, however, no response or additional information was provided. On November 29, 2022, HDLC Staff observed that the equipment had been installed on the building without HDLC or Safety and Permits approval. The applicant is now requesting retention of these HVAC units to remain as-installed. Because this equipment is so highly visible and visually obtrusive from the surrounding streets, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention and recommends the applicant work with the Architectural Review Committee and Staff to develop a minimal screening strategy that is appropriate for the building and reduces the overall visibility of the equipment.

Metal Façade Canopy:

The HDLC Guidelines note that new building canopies and awnings should correspond to the openings they protect and that the overall design and detailing must be consistent with the building they are to be installed on. The ARC previously made several recommendations concerning the specific details of the metal awning as this is one of the primary exterior design elements of the renovated building. The previously approved drawings show this new awning as matching and corresponding to the length of the window opening below. However, the pre-manufactured awning was purchased at an incorrect size and was subsequently installed such that the awning is shorter than the opening below. The applicant is now requesting this condition be retained as-installed. Based on the HDLC Guidelines and due to the visibility of this condition at the primary Elysian Fields elevation, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention and recommends the awning be corrected to match the previously approved drawings.

Case History:

12/19/2022: Application submitted for retention of visually prominent roof-mounted HVAC equipment.
11/29/2022: HDLC Staff observed that roof-mounted HVAC equipment was already installed at building without HDLC approval or a building permit issued.
09/06/2022: HDLC emailed applicant to request information on proposed equipment, including specifications for units indicating size.
09/02/2022: Application submitted for installation of roof-mounted HVAC/mechanical equipment.
10/02/2020: Certificate of Appropriateness issued.
09/15/2020: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. Commission approval for this work was not required at the time due to the proposed scope of work and Non-Contributing rating of the building.
05/28/2020: Application submitted for renovation of existing one-story commercial building including storefront modifications.

Previous ARC Recommendations:

09/18/2020: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC agreed the patio canopy roof should start at a higher point on the wall so the height of the leading edge columns align with the adjacent awning height.
08/18/2020: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC agreed the simplified awning design is more appropriate for the existing building. However, the ARC noted the curved-roof design of the patio canopy does not relate to the horizontality of the awnings and recommended it align more with their horizontal datum. The ARC requested the patio canopy structure be included on the elevations to understand how it relates to the existing building.
07/21/2020: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC agreed the proposed ornamental brackets are inappropriate and the awnings should be simpler and more industrial. The ARC recommended a steel frame awning with a PVC, glass or polycarbonate cover to allow more natural light. The ARC also recommended the applicant consider pitching the awning to give it more visual emphasis.