HDLC recommends Garden District house for National Register; city urges caution on Sophie Gumbel listing

The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission unanimously recommended that 1309 Harmony Street be forwarded to the National Register of Historic Places, citing the house’s architectural integrity and documentation linking it to master architect Emile Weil.

Owner and nominator John Klingman described original drawings and documentation showing the house as Weil’s early work; staff recommended, and the commission voted, to send the nomination forward through the Certified Local Government review process. Commissioners clarified that a National Register listing is separate from a local landmark designation and that National Register status does not itself impose design restrictions unless federal funding or tax credits are used.

On 1771 Nashville Avenue (the Sophie Gumbel House), HDLC staff presented the building’s history but offered no recommendation because the City of New Orleans is actively pursuing renovation and redevelopment. Rochelle Julich of the Mayor’s Office of Community Assets and Investment told the commission that if federal subsidy or tax credits are used, the project would trigger a Section 106 review under federal historic‑preservation rules, which can delay projects; she urged the commission not to advance landmarking at this time so as not to slow redevelopment. Staff confirmed Section 106 review is triggered by proposed federal involvement and said nominations first pass through a committee in Baton Rouge before the National Park Service acts.

The commission’s actions reflected that split: 1309 Harmony will be forwarded as recommended, while the Sophie Gumbel House will not be advanced at this meeting so the city can proceed with redevelopment work and avoid potential delays associated with federal review.