images via City of New Orleans One Stop App
A request to demo four historic Central Business District buildings, part of the plans for the proposed 21-story hotel at the corner of Canal and Tchoupitoulas Streets, did not get the a-okay from the Historic District Landmark Commission. Echoing the Architectural Review Committee's sentiments, the HDLC says the buildings at 105, 109 and 111 Tchoupitoulas, built in the early 1840s, should not get the wrecking ball treatment. The Advocate reports that the HDLC isn't cool with 422 Canal St. getting knocked out, either. Built in the mid-1860s, it was modified in the 1880s by New Orleans architect James Freret. The two other buildings that the developers want cleared out for the proposed $120 million Marriott Residence Inn and Springhill Suites are a corner t-shirt shop at 103 Tchoup and one-story ticket hub/tourist info center at 408 Canal St. The HDLC "endorsed demolition" of these unfortunate looking structures but still didn't approve any of the hotel plans.
The team behind the hotel plans— French Quarter t-shirt shop kingpin and owner of these buildings Kishore "Mike" Motwani, Mathes Brierre Architects, and Wischermann Partners, Inc.— plan to appeal the decision to City Council, where the final decision will be made. They say it's not "cost effective" to incorporate the historic buildings in their plans since there wouldn't be room for the parking garage or enough space for 22 rooms on each floor.
· Landmarks agency rejects demolitions needed for high-rise hotel on Canal [Advocate]
· Demo permits filed, but initial hotel plans don't fly with ARC [Curbed NOLA]
· Plans for 21-Story hotel head to Architectural Review Comm. [Curbed NOLA]