300 Pelican Ave.

District: Algiers Point - Full Control

Owner: Shantel Hebert-Magee

HDLC Staff: Chase Klugh

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Shantel Hebert-Magee

Permit #: 23-22683-HDLC

Description: Request to install decorative French doors at corner entry, installation of gas lantern at side entry, and retention of removal of stucco at foundation wall in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness at a Contributing rated, two-story residential building.

Staff Recommendations:

Constructed in ca. 1890 as a two-story commercial building with double gallery, 300 Pelican Ave. is an altered but contributing building in the Algiers Point Historic District. Although the building has lost most of its ground level detailing, a high degree of second story Queen Anne detailing remains. Now serving as a residence, the second story of the building retains its full height windows and decorative trim, brackets, applied gable trim, and soffit overhang with vents. The current owner has worked with the HDLC to obtain Certificate(s) of Appropriateness (CofA) to complete work at the building including the removal of existing stucco and reinstallation of wood weatherboards (see below). Included in the proposed scope of work are items that cannot be approved at the Staff level. This work includes the installation of decorative French doors at the corner entry, the installation of incompatible gas lanterns, and the retention of exposed brick at the foundation.

The current corner entry doors are simple pane over panel doors with limited ornamentation surmounted by a three lite fixed transom. The doors at the building's first story range from low to high style with the pane over panel French doors and a decorative Queen Anne door at the Pelican Ave. facing entrance. The proposed corner entry French doors (see photograph below) deviate in their overall style as well as proportion. Proportionally, the proposed doors appear to be more vertically oriented with narrower paneling and openings. Although the building's detailing lends itself to higher style doors and/or windows, the scrolled trim and detailing of the proposed doors are not compatible with the stylization of the building. Overall, the building retains enough of its Queen Anne detailing that replacement doors should match in style. Although Staff cannot recommend approval of the door installation, Staff leaves the decision at the discretion of the Commission.

The issued CofA (#23-00586) included the installation of gas lantern fixtures at the exterior of the building. The approved Bevolo fixtures (see below) are typical of the style and size approved throughout HDLC districts. However, the applicant has proposed another Bevolo fixture at the Pelican Ave. facing entrance. The Bevolo Governor wall mounted gas lantern (see below) is not a type of exterior lighting that can be approved at the Staff level. The proposed option is a colonial style fixture that is not appropriate for the 1890s building. Because the proposed fixture is not compatible with the building Staff recommends denial of installation, noting that the originally approved gas lantern fixture can be installed as approved.

A major portion of the approved scope of work included the removal of stucco at the first story and the reintroduction of wood weatherboards. This work created a cohesive siding material at the building, recreating an original condition. During this project, additional work was completed at the masonry brick foundation wall. The existing condition appears to have included areas of deteriorated stucco and paint covering the masonry. In general, the HDLC does not permit exposed brick where it would have once been stuccoed. In keeping with that guideline, Staff recommends that the brick receive a parge coat. The stucco will not only protect the brick, but also aesthetically match the original condition.

Recommendation:
- French doors - At the discretion of the Commission.
- Gas Lantern - Denial.
- Exposed brick at foundation - Denial of retention of exposed brick and provide parge coat.