Three-Story Prinsens Gade Apartment Plan Advances; Historic Board Approves Three Other St. Thomas Projects

The St. Thomas-St. John District Commission of the V.I. Historic Preservation Commission advanced preliminary plans for a three-story apartment complex at 45-46 Prinsens Gade last week while also approving structural, solar and fencing work at Crown House, demolition of a deteriorating retaining wall at Electra House and installation of a roof-access ladder at 48B Norre Gade.

The Prinsens Gade project received unanimous preliminary approval after commissioners reviewed plans that call for a poured-concrete apartment building with four units on each floor, cantilevered porches and 17 to 19 parking spaces.

The development is also planned to operate independently of public utilities, using a roof-mounted solar array and a cistern with capacity exceeding 10,000 gallons.

Fire-Damaged Walls Crumbled During Prinsens Gade Excavation

Commissioners spent considerable time reviewing the proposal for 45-46 Prinsens Gade after preliminary excavation caused the property's fire-damaged clay and brick walls to crumble, injuring a worker.

Rather than proceeding with localized repairs, the revised proposal calls for complete concrete footings and an expansion of the small building's footprint by approximately 30 square feet.