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Preservation
Historic zoning denied for former residence of women's health advocate
A West Campus duplex that was once home to a notable women’s health advocate will soon be demolished after the Historic Landmark Commission met last Monday evening and voted against historic designation and in favor of demolition for the home.…
Preservation • By Jasmine Lopez • Oct 6, 2020
'Air Temp' home to be restored rather than demolished
Following months of hand-wringing from the community and negotiations between city staff and property owners, the “Air Temp” home at 2502 Park View Drive is going to get a new lease on life. On Sept. 28, the Historic Landmark Commission…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 5, 2020
Travis County now has an African American Cultural Heritage Commission
As of Sept. 8, Travis County officially has a commission dedicated to the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage. “We see a lot of the African American communities, artifacts and heirlooms being destroyed as we grow in size…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 14, 2020
Mary Baylor House receives recommendation for historic zoning
The house of civil rights activist Mary Freeman Baylor had been run-down for years until new owners bought the Clarksville property in 2014 and began fixing it up, on the heels of a thwarted attempt to demolish the house. The property…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 11, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission approves nine-story affordable housing proposal
While towering, multi-floor designs with little relationship to historic facades have been a thorn in the side of the Historic Landmark Commission in recent months, a proposal for an affordable housing tower behind the historic home at 809 E. Ninth…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 1, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission vetoes skyscraper design for historic building
In recent months, there have been several cases of developers proposing multi-story buildings as a way to preserve the facades of historic structures while balancing the economics of Austin real estate. On Aug. 24, the Historic Landmark Commission firmly put…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 27, 2020
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Historic Landmark Commission initiates historic zoning for 'Air Temp' home
In an effort to avoid the loss of one of the first homes in Austin to feature air conditioning, the Historic Landmark Commission voted at its July 27 meeting to initiate the historic zoning process for the “Air Temp” home…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 10, 2020
East Austin historic district application receives support from Historic Landmark Commission
Austin is well on its way to getting its second historic district on the east side. The Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross neighborhood, which is roughly bounded by East 21st Street and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Cedar and Chestnut avenues,…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 3, 2020
HLC wants further scrutiny of home in the 'Air-Conditioned Village'
Seventy years ago, 22 homes in Northwest Austin served as the test case for bringing central air conditioning to the middle classes. Today only 15 of those homes remain standing, with one more proposed for demolition. The midcentury modern home…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 1, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission once again denies development proposal for Parker House
The family-owned Parker House sits on a 0.32-acre tract of land in West Campus that is worth $1.7 million. In an effort to preserve the historic home at 2404 Rio Grande St. and also develop the back portion of the…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 27, 2020
Scarbrough Building narrowly avoids losing tax relief status
The historic Scarbrough Building had a close call with its tax abatement status when the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously at its April 27 meeting to remove its eligibility status. When the Velvet Taco restaurant opened a new outdoor seating…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 11, 2020
Historic Landmark Commission looks to save Rainey Street's Bungalow
For years, 90-92 Rainey St. has been home to the Bungalow and the Container Bar, but those two nightlife fixtures could soon be replaced with a 53-floor high rise. However, the Historic Landmark Commission did not greet the project with…
