The scale and character and beauty of one of America’s loveliest boulevards is created by historic two and three story homes and live oak trees.

The two story, 3 unit apartment building at 5428 St. Charles is in the midst of a commercial free strectch from Napoleon to Broadway. The red tile roofed stucco building, designed by architect Emile Weil in 1928, is handsome; set back from the avenue and in perfect harmony with the surroundings. The 100 year old Octavia across St. Charles is next to Daneel Park, which helps mitigate its five story mass.

The owner of 5428 St. Charles wants to *demolish* the building, and probably the adjacent historic Sully carriage house/garage on the property, to build a 13 unit condo with parking. This building could comply with its current zoing and be converted into three luxury condo units. But the owner wants a building at least as tall as the very tallest building in the neighborhood for miles in any direction…and that building was put up in 1907, so at least has history and grace on its side. The Octavia Apartment is the EXCEPTION to the scale of St. Charles Avenue, not the standard. And, it was built long before zoning was in place.

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