D.4.0 b - 201-209 W 4th St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS MAY 4, 2022 DA-2022-040962; GF-2022-047912 201-209 WEST 4TH STREET, 318 COLORADO STREET D.4 b – 1 Demolish a ca. 1936 commercial building and reconstruct a portion of the façade along W. 4th Street. PROPOSAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish the building. Reconstruct the portion of the building façade historically addressed as 207 and 209 W. 4th St., contiguous to reconstructed façades at 211 and 213 W. 4th St. (see separate staff reports). The character of the brickwork, particularly the banded pattern at the parapet, will be accurately reconstructed. Existing brick will be savaged and reused in the reconstruction, with paint removed or the bricks turned to reveal the unpainted side. The pattern of openings in this section of façade may have been modified; the reconstruction will establish a more regular rhythm of openings. 2) Construct an open-air plaza and recessed glass lobby at the corner of W. 4th and Colorado streets, occupying the area historically addressed at 316-318 Colorado St./201 W. 4th St. 3) Construct a high-rise tower with more than a 5’ setback from the building façade. Behind the parapet, the garage levels will be clad in a simple screen in a dark bronze color. The building at the corner of W. 4th and Colorado streets is a single-story brick warehouse. The building has three bays of storefront windows and doors between brick piers on the Colorado Street elevation and five bays on the W. 4th Street elevation. Some of the piers along W. 4th St. are tiled and may not be at original locations. Windows and doors are inconsistent in their design and appear to have been replaced at different times. Wrapping the building is a rowlock course of bricks at the window headers, above which the brickwork is punctuated by regularly spaced vertical bands. Rooftop additions include a barrel-vaulted structure and a tent. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH The Jim’s Café Building/Rainbo Bread Warehouse was constructed ca. 1936. The portion at 201 W. 4th/318 Colorado St. replaced an earlier two-story building shown on the 1935 Sanborn map, which housed saloons from the mid-1880s through the 1910s before use as an office and warehouse. Jim Pachalos, a Greek-American restauranteur, had Jim’s Café in the corner space of the present building from 1936 through the mid-1940s; he also had a restaurant in the preceding two-story building. Jim’s Café was replaced by Pape’s Grill by the late 1940s, and Stancel Hill opened J&J Café here in the late 1950s. Speranza’s Italian Café opened in the space in the late 1970s, and the building was converted into a salon in the mid-1980s. The portion at 316 Colorado St. was initially Samuel Robinson’s auto repair shop. Fehr Baking Company, a San Antonio- based bread manufacturer, used this space as a warehouse beginning in the early 1940s. The company later became part of the Rainbo Baking Company. By the mid-1960s, the building became a warehouse for the adjacent automotive service business at 310-312 Colorado St. In 1984, the building was converted to office use and subsequently housed antique and folk art shops.1 The portion addressed at 209 W. 4th St. housed a variety of occupants, including a government property storeroom for the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the Home Service Delivery Company, Deen Signs, and additional storage for Fehr and Rainbo baking companies. DESIGN STANDARDS The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects at historic landmarks and within historic districts. The Warehouse District was previously identified by Historic Preservation Office staff as a potential historic district. The following standards are applicable in considering the proposed project: 1 Adapted from Steve Sadowsky, Narrative History of Buildings in Austin’s Warehouse and Wholesale Districts, undated (ca. 2009). D.4 b – 2 Repair and alterations 1. General standards These standards do not explicitly address reconstruction. Rather, they emphasize retaining historic materials in place, planning for repair when needed due to deterioration, and replacing materials only when deteriorated beyond repair. For this project, reconstruction is not proposed based on the existing conditions of the buildings. Rather, it is a means of protecting original building materials from damage during construction of the proposed high-rise tower. A significant portion of the building will be demolished and not reconstructed. 4. Exterior walls and trim These standards emphasize retaining historic masonry walls and using replacement mortar that matches the historic mortar in composition, joint profile, and color. For this project, the existing brick will be reused, with paint removed or the bricks turned to reveal the unpainted side. Care will be taken to match the masonry patterns and detailing in reconstruction. 5. Windows, doors, and screens 11. Commercial storefronts Standards in these sections emphasize retention of historic materials, or where elements have been previously altered or replaced, using new designs and materials that are compatible with the scale and style of the building. Existing fenestration in the section of façade to be reconstructed is inconsistent and has been replaced in at least two of the three bays. The project will involve changing the spacing of the piers and installing new glazing and doors reminiscent of what is currently present in the leftmost bay. Commercial additions 2. Scale, massing, and height These standards emphasize that additions should appear subordinate to a historic building. Within an urban setting surrounded by high-rise towers, the standards allow vertical additions that are set back at least 20’ behind the building parapet, with a potential 5’ cantilever forward at a greater height. The proposed tower is set back 5’ behind the parapet. The material and color selection are intended to differentiate the addition and cause it to visually recede behind the parapet, such that it does not overwhelm the building despite the shallower setback. Summary The proposal to demolish and reconstruct a portion of the building façade, rather than retain it in its entirety, in place, does not meet the standards that would be applied in review of proposed work to a historic landmark. However, it represents a compromise solution intended to maintain the streetscape character of this block of the Warehouse District. Greater liberties are proposed for this building façade than those at 211 and 213 W. 4th St., which are each more architecturally distinguished and intact than this building. PROPERTY EVALUATION The Historic Buildings in the Warehouse District Survey (ca. 2009) lists the property as medium priority for inclusion in a potential historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain a moderate degree of integrity. Modifications include changes to window and door 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and patterns and rooftop additions. determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a modest example of a warehouse building with modifications. b. Historical association. The historic uses of the building are typical of buildings within the downtown Warehouse District. The property does not appear to have individually significant associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property possesses a unique location and physical characteristics as part of the Warehouse District, which contributes to the character, image, and cultural identity of the city. However, this association in itself is not sufficient for the building to individually qualify for landmark designation. e. Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. D.4 b – 3 COMMITTEE FEEDBACK The Architectural Review Committee provided feedback on the proposed project on April 11, 2022. Committee members emphasized the importance of historical accuracy and retention of historic materials and patterns in treatment of the building façades. The building façades should be preserved in place during construction, or if reconstructed, involvement of a preservationist on the project team and rigor in field measurements is critical. Different brick treatments on the various façades gives each building a distinct character. Restoration of missing or altered features should be based on documentary or physical evidence of an earlier configuration. Transoms and fenestration patterns should be maintained. The relationship between this block of warehouses and the landmark Nelson Davis Warehouse across Colorado should be considered. At the corner of 4th and Colorado, committee members recommended retaining the masonry of the corner building, with fenestration removed to create an open-air plaza, rather than removing the corner entirely. The setback of the new tower is critical to not overwhelming the warehouse façades. Committee members appreciated the neutral color and texture of the tower garage cladding at this level. Greenery at the parapet level would detract from the historic character of the warehouses. Release the associated permits for demolition and reconstruction of a portion of the W. 4th St. façade upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. STAFF RECOMMENDATION LOCATION MAP D.4 b – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.4 b – 5 316-318 Colorado Street, 1979 photographs, source unknown. D.4 b – 6 318 Colorado Street/201 W. 4th Street, 1979 photograph, source unknown. W. 4th Street elevation of building showing storefronts addressed at 201-209 W. 4th Street, Historic Preservation Office staff, April 2022. D.4 b – 7 W. 4th Street elevation of building showing storefronts addressed at 201-209 W. 4th Street. Colorado Street elevation of building showing storefronts addressed at 316-318 Colorado Street, Historic Preservation Office staff, April 2022. D.4 b – 8 200 block of W. 4th between Colorado and Lavaca streets. Note that buildings at 217 and 219 W. 4th Street (in foreground) are outside of the project area. Historic Preservation Office staff, April 2022. D.4 b – 9 316 Colorado St. Richard Dorrell Interests (commercial real estate) Occupancy History City Directory Research, November 2008 and April 2022 1992 207 W. 4th St. Cavanaugh Grimes Studio 316 Colorado St. Room with a View (antiques) Pamela Crochery-Ely, proprietor 318 Colorado St. 201-209 W. 4th St. 1987 Vacant Address not listed 318 Colorado St. 1985-86 209 W. 4th St. Michael Carey, Inc. (art gallery) Back East Antiques 1981 207-209 W. 4th St. Address not listed 316 Colorado St. Address not listed 318 Colorado St. Speranza’s Italian Home Cooking Hallie Gammon, proprietor 1977 201-209 W. 4th St. Address not listed 316 Colorado St. Capital Spring and Brake Company warehouse Greg Henderson and Lloyd Anthony, managers Note: Capital Spring and Brake’s shop was located at 310 Colorado Street, just to the south of this building. 318 Colorado St. Speranza’s Café Hallie Gammon, proprietor 1975 201-209 W. 4th St. Address not listed 316 Colorado St. 318 Colorado St. J&J Café Stancel E. Hill, proprietor 1967-69 201-209 W. 4th St. Address not listed 316 Colorado St. Capital Spring and Brake Company warehouse Greg Henderson and Lloyd Anthony, managers Note: Capital Spring and Brake’s shop was located at 310 Colorado Street, just to the south of this building. Burkhalter Spring and Alignment Service warehouse Wayne Woodward, manager Note: Burkhalter Spring and Alignment Service shop was at 310 Colorado Street, just south of this building. 318 Colorado St. J&J Café Stancel E. Hill, proprietor 1963-64 207 W. 4th St. Rainbo Baking Co. (garage) 316 Colorado St. 318 Colorado St. Rainbo Baking Company G. Melvin Beckham and Clarence H. Bose, supervisors J&J Café Stancel E. Hill, proprietor 1959 209 W. 4th St. Rainbo Baking Co. (storage) 316 Colorado St. Rainbo Baking Co. 318 Colorado St. Vacant D.4 b – 10 1957 209 W. 4th St. Fehr Baking Co. (storage) Jerry Duman, sales manager 316 Colorado St. 318 Colorado St. Fehr Baking Co. (wholesale bakery products) J. Porter Mayer, manager Chef’s Grill (restaurant) John R. Pena, proprietor 1955 209 W. 4th St. Fehr Baking Co. (storage) 316 Colorado St. Fehr Baking Co. (wholesale) 1953 318 Colorado St. 209 W. 4th St. 316 Colorado St. 318 Colorado St. Pape’s Grill (restaurant) Fehr Baking Co. (storage) Fehr Baking Company Melvin Beckham and Albert Bradshaw, managers Pape’s Grill (restaurant) Charlie and William Pape, proprietors 1952 209 W. 4th St. Deen Signs 316 Colorado St. Fehr Baking Co. 318 Colorado St. 209 W. 4th St. 1949 Pape’s Grill restaurant Home Service Delivery Co. Anthony Collonetta, proprietor Fehr Baking Co. Curtis H. Barnett, supervisor Pape’s Grill (restaurant) William P. and Charles R. Pape, proprietors 316 Colorado St. 318 Colorado St. 316 Colorado St. 1944-47 209 W. 4th St. U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Mines (Government Property storeroom) Fehr Baking Co. Curtis H. Barnett, manager Note: Fehr Baking Company was headquartered in San Antonio. 318 Colorado St. Jim’s Café restaurant Jim Pachalos, proprietor 1941 201-209 W. 4th St. Addresses not listed 316 Colorado St. Samuel Robinson (auto repair) 318 Colorado St. Jim’s Café James Pachalos, proprietor 1939 201-209 W. 4th St. Addresses not listed Green & Uzzell (auto repair) 1937 318 Colorado St. 201 W. 4th St. and 318 Colorado St. Jim’s Café Jim’s Place Jim’s Café James Pachalos, proprietor 207-209 W. 4th St. Addresses not listed 316 Colorado St. Samuel Robinson (auto repair) Note: Fehr Baking Company is listed as at 300 Colorado Street. 1935 James Pachalos (restaurant) Address not listed 316 Colorado St. 201 W. 4th St. 207 ½ W. 4th St. Guy R. and Ida Ezelle, renters Attendant, Gulf Refrigerating Co. Station #1, 601 W. 6th St. Note: The 1935 Sanborn map shows a small house at the rear of the lot. D.4 b – 11 316-318 Colorado St. Addresses not listed Permits D.4 b – 12 Water service permits, 203 W. 4th St., 1935-36 D.4 b – 13 Water service permit, 1936 D.4 b – 14 Building permit, 1980 Historical information D.4 b – 15 “Gas Company to Extend Mains,” Austin Statesman, Feb. 6, 1936, 12. Advertisement for Home Delivery Service, 209 West 4th Street, Austin Statesman, Apr. 1, 1949, 20. D.4 b – 16 Left, obituary of Jim Pachlos, who operated Jim’s Café, the first business in the current building, Austin American- Statesman, Apr. 28, 1976. Right, death notice for Stansel Hill, who operated the J&J Café here in the 1960s, Austin American-Statesman, Aug. 22, 1978. D.4 b – 17 Article on Michael Speranza of Speranza’s Italian Home Cooking, “Personal Touch—Now That’s Italian,” Austin American-Statesman, Oct. 12, 1978, G1. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps D.4 b – 18 The 1961 map shows the current one-story building on this site, shown as a private garage, warehouse, and restaurant. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1961, Vol. 1, Sheet 13, accessed via Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4034am.g4034am_g08415196101?sp=18&st=image. The 1935 map shows a two-story commercial building and an empty lot at the site of the current building, which was built ca. 1936. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1935, Sheet 13, accessed via Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4034am.g4034am_g084151935/?sp=18&st=image.