The Place @ KU sent to review committee

Emery Apartments slated for demolition

Commissioners criticize The Place @ KU's scale and design

Commercial retail space proposed for Oread residential zone

HRC seeks guest architect to review The Place @ KU

HRC clarifies stance on demolition moratorium request

City explores alternative historic designations for nearby neighborhood

Watson Park landmark designation update remains delayed

The Place @ KU sent to review committee

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Historic Resources Commission voted 5-0 to send The Place @ KU, a proposed 300-bed residential complex in the Oread neighborhood, to the Architectural Review Committee. The massive high-density project, proposed for 1423 and 1433 Ohio St. and 1430 and 1432 Louisiana St., faced heavy scrutiny over its compatibility with local design guidelines. Commissioner Stan Hernly abstained from the vote, as his firm, Hernly-Adams Architects, is co-designing the development. The review committee is tasked with refining the design before it returns to the historic commission for final approval.

Emery Apartments slated for demolition

LAWRENCE, Kan. — As part of the sprawling new Oread neighborhood development, developer Doug Compton plans to demolish five existing structures, including the Emery Apartments, a historic Art Deco-era building. Historic resources administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner noted the building features unique Art Deco detailing that originally prompted her to oppose the demolition. However, a site walk-through revealed severe structural failures, including a basement wall leaning inward by several inches, making rehabilitation unfeasible.

Commissioners criticize The Place @ KU's scale and design

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Historic Resources Commission members expressed strong concerns regarding the scale, massing and materials of the proposed six-story development, The Place @ KU, spearheaded by developer Doug Compton. Members criticized the project's flat roofs, lack of property setbacks and proposed use of perforated metal panels and vertical V-groove siding, stating the design lacks the characteristics of the surrounding historic area. The Architectural Review Committee will work directly with the developers to break up the building's massive visual footprint and incorporate more neighborhood-compatible materials.

Commercial retail space proposed for Oread residential zone

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Developers of The Place @ KU plan to include commercial storefronts on the ground floor, introducing a new mixed-use element to the high-density residential zone. Historic resources administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner advised the commission that the commercial addition will likely require a special use permit from the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission and the Lawrence City Commission. The Historic Resources Commission will focus solely on ensuring the commercial storefront designs are visually compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

HRC seeks guest architect to review The Place @ KU

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Because Commissioner Stan Hernly is co-architecting The Place @ KU through Hernly-Adams Architects, he is recused from serving on the Architectural Review Committee for the project's design refinement. To ensure a thorough review of the complex's design, the Historic Resources Commission directed city staff to recruit a former architect commissioner to temporarily volunteer and serve alongside another commissioner at the upcoming review committee meeting.

HRC clarifies stance on demolition moratorium request

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Following emails from the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association requesting a halt on local demolitions, the Historic Resources Commission clarified it does not have the legal authority to issue a demolition moratorium. Historic resources administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner stated that any requests for a moratorium must be directed to the Lawrence City Commission, which would only involve the historic commission if city leaders specifically request an advisory opinion.

City explores alternative historic designations for nearby neighborhood

LAWRENCE, Kan. — City staff and the State Historic Preservation Office are reviewing siding policies to determine if properties in a nearby neighborhood can still qualify for historic district designation despite modern exterior alterations. Historic resources administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner noted the city is exploring alternative paths, such as submitting a nomination based on historical development rather than strictly architectural integrity, to preserve the neighborhood's character.

Watson Park landmark designation update remains delayed

LAWRENCE, Kan. — An update regarding the Watson Park landmark designation remains on hold as the Historic Resources Commission awaits further details. A commissioner inquired about the project's status during Tuesday's meeting, but city staff confirmed the item remains deferred until the applicants, former Lawrence city manager Mike Wildgen and historian Dean Palos, submit the requested additional information required to complete the city's review.

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