1-5-2026: Opposition to Appeal of HDLC Decision – 621 Elysian Fields
January 5, 2026
New Orleans City Council
1300 Perdido St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
RE: Opposition to Appeal of HDLC Decision – 621 Elysian Fields
Dear Members of the City Council:
Louisiana Landmarks Society writes to express our strong support of the Historic District Landmark Commission's December 3, 2025 decision regarding the proposed mega-hotel project at 621 Elysian Fields Avenue. We urge the Council to deny the developer’s appeal and uphold the established regulatory framework that protects New Orleans' irreplaceable historic character.
New Orleans' historic district regulations exist to balance development with preservation. The Architectural Review Committee and Historic District Landmark Commission have fulfilled their mandates by twice denying plans that fail to comply with our city's long-established guidelines. These decisions were not arbitrary; they reflected careful consideration of how this project would impact the historic fabric of our community.
The developer received a Conditional Use and Floor Area Ratio variance over a year ago. Rather than working constructively with the ARC to develop compliant plans, the developer has chosen to appeal at every turn, consuming valuable time and resources while refusing to meaningfully engage with the regulatory framework.
Most concerning is the developer's own statement at the December 3rd HDLC hearing: "The City's Historic District regulations and guidelines are infeasible and technically incapable of incorporating without destroying our project." This declaration reveals the fundamental problem—the developer has designed a project that cannot comply with our historic preservation standards and now seeks exemption rather than redesign.
If the City Council grants this appeal, it will establish a dangerous precedent. Any developer could circumvent the ARC and HDLC by simply declaring compliance "infeasible," appealing denials rather than revising plans, and ultimately seeking political override of expert preservation decisions. This would undermine the entire regulatory structure that has protected New Orleans' historic districts for decades.
New Orleans' historic architecture is not merely aesthetic—it is fundamental to our cultural identity, our tourism economy, and our sense of place. The historic district regulations that this developer finds "infeasible" have successfully guided countless projects that respect our architectural heritage while meeting contemporary needs. Other developers have demonstrated that profitable, attractive development is entirely possible within these guidelines.
The developer's unwillingness to comply with established regulations should not become our problem to solve by weakening those regulations. If this project cannot be built in compliance with historic district guidelines, then this project—in its current form—should not be built in this location.
Louisiana Landmarks Society respectfully urges the City Council to support the HDLC’s decision by denying this appeal. In doing so, you vote to uphold the integrity of the City's historic preservation review process. We ask that you direct the developer to work collaboratively with the ARC and the HDLC to develop a compliant proposal – not one of special exception. By doing so, you reaffirm the city’s commitment to protecting New Orleans' historic districts through consistent application of established regulations.
The regulatory process has functioned exactly as designed. Two expert bodies have determined that this proposal does not meet our standards. The developer has had ample opportunity to revise their plans and has chosen not to do so. The City Council should not reward this refusal to comply by granting an exemption that would set a destructive precedent for historic preservation in New Orleans.
We appreciate your consideration of these concerns and your continued stewardship of our city's architectural heritage.
Respectfully submitted,
Sincerely,
Sandra Stokes
Chair of Advocacy
Louisiana Landmarks Society