Squandered Heritage

13 responses so far ↓

• Nate // Nov 5, 2007 at 1:31 pm

  The proposed elevation is pretty ugly. Lacks the strong massing and elegant design of what is there now. Just another faux New Orleans mishmash.

• mary // Nov 5, 2007 at 7:57 pm

  Here we go again. Large homes are not selling and assessments have increased. There is a real fear among Uptown property owners that taxes will soon match those new assessments and that the real estate market is going to take a huge nose dive. Owners see no way out other than to sell to developers. Sadly, we will see more attempts like this.

• JS // Nov 6, 2007 at 8:56 am

  Actually, while Karen is correct in posting the proposed building, the pending application in a blanket zoning change as opposed to a specific Conditional Use application tied to a specific set of plans. The developer has applied to change the zoning of these two parcels from the most restrictive (RS-1A) to the least restrictive RM-4. The City does not put provisos on such zoning changes so after getting the change approved with the help of the what he considers a nice building to replace it (see drawing above) he could sell out to another developer, who could in turn construct up to 60 units on this property utilizing a Residential Planned Community.

  This doesn’t even address the demoltion issues which I will leave to Karen and the other experts.

• Zelda Sayre // Nov 6, 2007 at 9:40 am

  What are architecture schools for, anyway? The proposal is a complete abortion–Disney Greek Revival, ’80s Post Modern, hints of windowless, anti-human Brutalism on the first floor. But I’m afraid Mary above is right–

• Amy // Nov 6, 2007 at 9:37 pm

  what an ugly proposal! the balconies and trim don’t match. it looks like an insane asylum designed by residents from architecture colorforms.

• Alan Gutierrez // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:27 am

  Thank you for bringing this one to our attention Karen. Now we can look forward to the demolition of St. Charles Ave. The streetcar can run through a valley of yuppie tenements. Buildings like this dedicate the ground level to parking. I hate the traffic across the sidewalks.

• William // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:28 am

  The proposed condo looks like a bad architect threw up on his drafing table. Just awful.

• celcus // Nov 14, 2007 at 2:24 pm

  I know the Architect…he is a bad Architect.

  He was once described as being unable “to design his way out of a wet paper bag, with a hole in it.” He has not improved.

• Justin // Nov 14, 2007 at 7:29 pm

  Wow, what a hideous design. Is is suppossed to be Greek Revival? The left half side looks like a grain silo.

• Alan Gutierrez // Nov 14, 2007 at 11:14 pm

  Looks like a grain silo indeed.

  When I saw that dome I thought that must be the Mad Scientist penthouse suite.

• E // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:57 pm

  It’s too bad… the existing building isn’t particularly good looking either… i don’t get spanish tile in NO. i’m not a fan of front lawns in cities either i guess

• Gina S. // Nov 19, 2007 at 7:56 pm

  That’s got to be the ugliest proposal I’ve ever seen. Maybe it would look fine in Westwego, but certainly NOT on St. Charles Avenue!

• Nola Nicki // Dec 5, 2007 at 9:21 am

  Wow! That is hideous. The current building is a perfect example of the Spanish influence in New Orleans & should be left alone. Either refurbish it or don’t purchase the building! This is the type of attitude we are fighting. I don’t understand why non-New Orleanians don’t get it. We are called stubborn, but we have what we have left because we’ve protected our city!

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