C.6 - 1703 Woodlawn Boulevard - staff report — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2020 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS HR-2020-146817 1703 WOODLAWN BOULEVARD C.6 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1929 house and construct a new house. ARCHITECTURE The existing house is an L-plan Spanish Colonial Revival-styled stuccoed frame house with hints of Art Deco detailing, especially in the front door; metal-framed windows; raised parapet at the entry. RESEARCH The house was built in 1929 for Nick Ferris and his wife, Bolling, both of whom were involved in the operation of downtown’s Marie Antoinette Shop for ladies’ fashions. Nick Ferris was the son of S. Ferris, a Lebanese immigrant who first settled in Manor and moved to Austin, where he established several businesses, including S. Ferris Sons, a dry goods store on E. 6th Street, and several clothing stores, including the Marie Antoinette, known for years as one of Austin’s most upscale ladies’ clothing stores. Nick Ferris would travel the world to bring the latest fashions to the women of Austin. Bolling Ferris, an interior decorator, was responsible for the design of the new Marie Antoinette Shop on Congress Avenue in 1935. Nick and Bolling Ferris lived in this house until around 1943. Their home on Woodlawn Boulevard was distinctive for its style in a neighborhood otherwise full of Colonial and Tudor Revival houses. Edna Hammerman, the proprietor of a prominent insurance adjusting firm in Austin, rented the house in the mid-1940s. Thomas J. and Glenda Prather then purchased the house around 1946, and lived here until around 1964. Thomas Prather was an accountant for the State Highway Department who later became the director of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers. Glenda Prather was an artist. STAFF COMMENTS The house was listed with no priority for research in the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey (1984), and was listed as non-contributing to the Old West Austin National Register Historic District. The applicant has furnished photographs depicting the poor condition of the existing house. Staff has evaluated this house for designation as a historic landmark and has determined that the house may meet the criteria for landmark designation as set forth in City Code: a. Architecture. The house is a very good example of Spanish Colonial Revival residential architecture, somewhat of an anomaly in this section of West Austin. The house maintains a high degree of integrity and may rise to the level of architectural significance. b. Historical association. The house was built by Nick Ferris, a prominent businessman in Austin and a member of a Lebanese family known for its dry goods and ladies’ clothing stores. Nick Ferris was the manager of the family’s Marie Antoinette Shop, perhaps the most upscale ladies’ clothing store in downtown Austin. Ferris made frequent buying trips to New York and other world cities to bring the latest fashions back to Austin, and in doing so, contributed to the style of the city. The house has historical significance for its associations with Nick and Bolling Ferris, who lived here from the time of  C.6 - 2 construction in 1929 until around 1943, when they moved to a house on Greenlee Drive. c. Archaeology. The house was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The house does not possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. e. Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. NEW CONSTRUCTION After demolition of the existing house, the applicant proposes the construction of a new house on the site. The proposed new house will be a one-and-a-half story wood-frame house with a one-story rear wing, all following a neo-Colonial Revival style. The proposed new house will have a screened porch across the half of the front elevation; the principal siding material will be painted Hardi-plank lap siding, and the house will have a standing- seam metal roof. The house will very much be in character with the historic district in terms of its architecture. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Design standards for new construction in historic districts dictate compatibility with the contributing properties in the historic district in terms of massing, scale, architectural elements, height, exterior wall materials, and fenestration patterns. The proposed house, a one-and-a-half story, traditionally-styled wood-framed house is compatible with the historic character of the street and the district. Good design such as this does not stand out from the contributing houses within the district. The proposed design is sensitive to the historic character of the district and appears to be very compatible. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the existing house, or initiate historic zoning on the property. If the Commission decides to release the demolition and building permits for this case, then staff recommends completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of photographs of all elevations, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history, for archiving at the Austin History Center.  LOCATION MAP C.6 - 3  C.6 - 4 1703 Woodlawn Boulevard ca. 1929  C.6 - 5 Front door detail OCCUPANCY HISTORY 1703 Woodlawn Boulevard Stewart Shaw, owner No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Stewart Shaw was a new resident at Mahala V. Sibley, owner No occupation listed this address. City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office February, 2020 1992 1985-86 1981 1977 1973 Mahala V. Sibley, owner No occupation listed Vacant NOTE: Mahala V. Sibley is not listed in the directory. Allan Bird, owner Student Also listed is Margaret P. Bird, a teacher at the TEA Special School.  1968 1965 1962 1957 1954 1952 1949 1947 1941 1939 1937 C.6 - 6 Thomas Maceo, owner Student James B. and Harriet Rutland, owners Salesman, Texaco, wholesale oils, 1121 Springdale Road. Thomas J. and Glenda Prather, owners Director, Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, 408 W. 11th Street. Thomas J. and Glenda H. Prather, owners Accountant, State Highway Department Thomas J. and Glenda Prather, owners Accountant, State Highway Department Thomas J. and Glenda Prather, owners Analyst, State Highway Department Thomas J. and Glenda Prather, owners Thomas: Glenda: Analyst, State Highway Department Student, University of Texas Thomas J. and Glenda Prather, owners U.S. Army Edna M. Hammerman, owner 1944-45 Proprietor (with J.W. Gainer), Hammerman & Gainer, workmen’s compensation, liability, automobile, fire, windstorm, inland marine, aircraft insurance adjusters, 725-28 Brown Building. NOTE: Thomas and Glenda Prather are listed at 1501 Mohle Drive; he was in the U.S. Army. NOTE: Nick J. and Bolling H. Ferris are listed at 2500 Greenlee Drive; he was the proprietor of the Marie Antoinette, women’s clothing, 504 Congress Avenue. Nick J. and Harriet B. Ferris, owners Manager, The Marie Antoinette, women’s clothing, 504 Congress Avenue. Nickolas J. and Bolling Ferris, owners Manager, The Marie Antoinette, ladies’ wear, 814 Congress Avenue. Nickolas J. and Bolling Ferris, owners Manager, Marie Antoinette (Saadi J. Ferris, proprietor), women’s clothing, 107 E. 6th Street and 812-14 Congress Avenue. Nickolas J. and Bolling Ferris, owners Manager, Marie Antoinette (Saadi J. Ferris, proprietor), women’s clothing, 107 E. 6th Street and 812-14 Congress Avenue. 1935 1932-33 Antoinette, women’s clothing, 107 E. 6th Street. proprietors of S. Ferris Sons, department store, 501-07 E. 6th Street. Nickolas J. and Bolling Ferris, owners Proprietor (with A. George, John A. and Saadi A. Ferris), Marie NOTE: All of the Ferris family members except Nickolas were also the  C.6 - 7 NOTE: The address is listed as 1327 Woodlawn Boulevard. NOTE: The address is listed as 1327 Woodlawn Boulevard. NOTE: The address is listed as 1327 Woodlawn Boulevard. Nickolas J. and Bolling Ferris, renters Proprietor (with A. George, John A. and Saadi A. Ferris), Marie The house is listed as “under construction.” NOTE: N.J. and Bolling Ferris are listed at 206 E. 15th Street, the home of Saidi and Sophie Ferris. N.J. Ferris was the proprietor of Marie Antoinette, ladies’ ready-to-wear clothing, 107 E. 6th Street. 1930-31 Antoinette, women’s clothing, 107 E. 6th Street. 1929 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: Nickolas and Bolling Ferris (ca. 1929 – ca. 1943) Nicep Joseph Ferris’ 1917 World War I draft registration card shows that he was living at 300 E. 8th Street in Austin. He was born in July, 1893 in Sheridan, Nebraska, and was a self-employed merchant. He was single. He was of medium height and had a slender build, brown eyes, and dark hair. Nick J. and Bolling H. Ferris appear in the 1930 U.S. Census as the owners of this house, which is listed with its former address of 1327 Woodlawn Boulevard, and which was worth $10,500. Nick J. Ferris was 36, had been born in Nebraska to Syrian-born parents, and was a ladies’ ready- to-wear clothing merchant. Bolling H. Ferris was 21, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Nick J. and Bolling Ferris as the owners of this house, which was worth $7,500. Nick J. Ferris was 46, had been born in Nebraska, and was the owner of the Marie Antoinette. Bolling Ferris was 31, had been born in Texas, and was an interior decorator. They had no children listed with them. His 1968 death certificate shows that Nickep (Nick) Joseph Ferris was born in Nebraska in 1893, and was living at 3405 Westledge Circle at the time of his death. He was the retired owner of a ready to wear clothing store, and was married. He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Bolling Harrison Ferris was born in 1908 and died in 1998. She is buried in Wharton, Texas. News of the marriage of Nick Ferris and Boling Harrison  C.6 - 8 Austin Statesman, June 29, 1927  C.6 - 9 History of the S. Ferris Sons Company in Austin Austin Statesman, August 14, 1927  C.6 - 10 New Marie Antoinette Shop interior debut Austin American-Statesman, April 7, 1935  C.6 - 11  C.6 - 12 Article on the new Marie Antoinette store, decorated by Bolling Ferris Austin Statesman, April 9, 1935  C.6 - 13 Excerpt from a profile article on S. Ferris Austin American-Statesman, May 2, 1948 Announcement that Nick Ferris will mange the French Room, ladies’ clothing store Austin Statesman, November 1, 1948  C.6 - 14 Obituary of Nick Ferris Austin Statesman, April 8, 1968  C.6 - 15 Funeral notice for Nick Ferris Austin Statesman, April 9, 1968 Thomas J. and Glenda Prather (ca. 1946 – ca. 1964) His 1940 World War II draft card shows that Thomas James Prather was living at Taft, San Patricio County, Texas, where he worked for the Central Power and Light Company. He was born in 1914 in Richland Springs, Texas, and was married to Glenda Hendricks Prather. He was 5’-8” tall, weighed 150 pounds and had a light brown complexion with brown eyes and brown hair. Tom and Glenda Prather appear in the 1940 U.S. Census for Taft, San Patricio County, Texas, where they rented their home. Tom Prather was 26, had been born in Texas, and was the cashier at the electric light company. He lived in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1935. Glenda Prather was 25, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. She lived in Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas in 1935. They had a female lodger, Mildred (last name illegible) 20, who had been born in Texas and was a public school teacher. She lived in Denton, Texas in 1935.  C.6 - 16  C.6 - 17 Article announcing the display of one of Glenda Prather’s paintings at the Art gallery of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Austin Statesman, February 26, 1956  Thomas J. Prather addressing PTA leaders Austin Statesman, December 8, 1969 Building permit to Nick J. Ferris for general repairs and to construct a storeroom to the garage (1939) Building permit to Nick J. Ferris for an addition to the garage (1940) C.6 - 18  C.6 - 19 Building permit to Mahala Sibley to construct an addition (1980) Building permit to Mahala Sibley to reroof the house and remodel the sunroom (1980) City records indicate a permit to replace the sewer line in 2011, and a complaint of a mouse infestation and the water heater not being up to Code in 2018. C.6 - 20 The 1935 Sanborn map shows the house with an address of 1615 Woodlawn Boulevard; that address does not align with city directory listings of the period.  C.6 - 21 The 1961 Sanborn map indicates that the house has a stucco exterior and has its current address of 1703 Woodlawn Boulevard.