D.5.0 - 213 W 4th St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS MAY 4, 2022 DA-2022-040962; GF-2022-047417 213 WEST 4TH STREET D.5 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1928 commercial building and reconstruct the façade. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish and reconstruct building façade. The character of the brickwork, opening patterns, and other design details 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. Transom windows will be retained or replicated, and storefront windows and doors will be fabricated to complement the design and era of the building. 2) Reinstall Oilcan Harry’s signage from the adjacent façade at 211 W. 4th Street. 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 213 W. 4th St. is a one-story brick commercial building with a symmetrical façade surmounted by a stepped parapet. Brick columns divide the building into five bays. Four of the columns appear original, with a narrower second bay from the left as the building entrance. A secondary entrance at the rightmost bay appears to be a modification. Storefront windows and door openings have been modified, including two recessed bays to create outdoor seating. Transom windows appear original. Decorative brickwork includes a soldier course above the transoms, raised friezes, and corbelling at the parapet. The building has a glass-enclosed rooftop structure. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH The Patton-Eichenbaum Building was built ca. 1928 as the Southland-Red Ball Motor Bus Company offices and garage. The depot for the bus company was at 605 Brazos Street near the Driskill Hotel. Patton Transfer Company used this building as their garage in the early 1930s; by the mid-1930s, it was functioning as a bus garage again, for the Bowen Motor Coaches and the Kerrville Bus Company. The Lower Colorado River Authority used the building as their Operations Division in the early 1940s; Dill’s, a manufacturer of Venetian blinds and window shades, moved here from 404 Colorado Street by the end of 1944. Harold Eichenbaum, who crafted window displays, had his business here from the late 1940s through the early 1980s.1 Harold Eichenbaum’s Displays, the largest decorations manufacturing firm of its kind in Texas, was known for its flocked Christmas trees.2 The building was converted to cocktail lounge uses beginning in 1995 with the opening of Kansas, a gay bar. It subsequently housed Boyz Cellar beginning in the late 1990s, Qua beginning in 2007,3 and Sellers beginning in 2017. 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: 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. 1 From Steve Sadowsky, Narrative History of Buildings in Austin’s Warehouse and Wholesale Districts, undated (ca. 2009). 2 Mary McDonald, “In Lieu of North Pole, Visit Local Santa Claus Shop,” Austin Statesman, Dec. 16, 1952, A11. 3 Sadowsky, 2009. D.5 – 2 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. The building retains original transom windows, but storefront windows and doors have been altered within existing openings, including two recessed bays for outdoor seating. The project entails retaining or replicating the transom windows. Below, new glazing and doors within these openings present a compatible treatment that will maintain the overall configuration of the façade. 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 the building façade, rather than retain it 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. The project entails careful reconstruction using the existing brick and accurately capturing building details. The design of the tower includes a vertical hyphen with a restrained architectural treatment, set back from and intended to visually recede behind the parapet. PROPERTY EVALUATION The Historic Buildings in the Warehouse District Survey (ca. 2009) lists the property as high 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 a rooftop addition. determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of a small-scale commercial building with distinctive brickwork. 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. 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 D.5 – 3 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. STAFF RECOMMENDATION In consideration of the applicant’s commitment to reconstruct the building façade, release the associated permits upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP D.5 – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.5 – 5 213 W. 4th Street, 1979 photograph. House Building File: 4th W. 213, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. D.5 – 6 213 W. 4th Street, Historic Preservation Office staff, April 2022. D.5 – 7 200 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.5 – 8 Occupancy History City Directory Research, November 2008 and April 2022 1985-92 213 W. 4th St. 213 W. 4th St. 213 W. 4th St. Vacant 1981 1987 Thomas James Mayeux, AIA (architect) Harold Eichenbaum Displays, Inc. (window displays) Harold Eichenbaum, proprietor Harold Eichenbaum Displays (window displays) Harold Eichenbaum and Tommie E. Craig, proprietors Harold Eichenbaum Displays (window displays) Harold Eichenbaum and Tommie E. Craig, proprietors 1964-75 213 W. 4th St. 1949-63 213-15 W. 4th St. 1947 213 W. 4th St. 1944-45 213 W. 4th St. 1941-42 211-213 W. 4th St. 1940 213 W. 4th St. 1937-39 213 W. 4th St. Dill’s (venetian blind manufacturers) Note: Dill’s had previously been located at 404 Colorado Street; the northwest corner of 4th and Colorado Streets (including 400 and 404 Colorado) suffered a fire in 1946. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. (warehouse) Lower Colorado Authority (Operating Division) Brazelton Equipment Company William L. Brazelton, proprietor Bowen Motor Coaches (garage) F. M. Thomas, agent Note: The main office of Bowen Motor Coaches was at 118 E. 10th Street. 1935 213 W. 4th St. Bowen Motor Coaches (garage) B. Bradley, terminal superintendent Kerrville Bus Co. (garage) Guy G. Griggs, manager Note: The terminal for both Bowen Motor Coaches and the Kerrville Bus Company was at 708 Brazos Street. 1932-33 207-213 W. 4th St. 1930-31 207-209 W. 4th St. Address not listed Patton Transfer Company garage Deacon O. and William T. Patton, proprietors Note: The main office of Patton Transfer was at 421 Congress Avenue. 1929 205 W. 4th St. 207-209 W. 4th St. 1927 - Southland Red Ball Motor Bus Company (office) Guy J. Shields, general manager Note: The depot for Southland Red Ball Motor Bus Company was at 605-07 Brazos St. Southland Red Ball Motor Bus Company (garage) Note: The address of 209 W. 4th Street is the highest in the block; the entire south side of the 200 block of W. 4th Street was residential. Permits D.5 – 9 Building permit, 1944, to local insurance agent Paul O. Simms for the construction of a partition in the building in 1944. Another permit for an awning was issued to Simms for Dill’s in 1945. Dill’s, a manufacturer of Venetian blinds and window shades, is listed as the occupant of the building in the 1947 city directory. The building was remodeled in 1985 as an office—the permit describes the building as a shell. It was remodeled again for various occupants: architect’s studio in 1986, an advertising agency in 1987, an architect’s studio in 1988, and multiple cocktail lounges and nightclubs beginning in 1995. Sign permit, 1974 Historical information D.5 – 10 Advertisement for Dill’s, Austin American, Oct. 19, 1947, A4. D.5 – 11 See article, following page. D.5 – 12 Mary McDonald, “In Lieu of North Pole, Visit Local Santa Claus Shop,” Austin Statesman, Dec. 16, 1952, A11. D.5 – 13 See article, following page. D.5 – 14 Betty MacNabb, “Here Tonight: Ball to be Austere One,” Austin Statesman, Jan. 17, 1961, 2. “Eichenbaum Art Shown,” Austin American-Statesman, Nov. 10, 1976, C9. D.5 – 15 Obituary of Harold Eichenbaum, who had a window display company here from the late 1940s through the early 1980s, Austin American-Statesman, Apr. 1, 1985. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps D.5 – 16 The 1961 map shows the building still with two addresses but with only one use, auto brake service and repair. 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 the current building on the north side of the alley, divided into two automobile-related uses, brake service on the south end and auto repair on the north end. The 1935 city directory shows Earle E. Burkhalter’s Spring and Bumper Service at 310 Colorado and Puryear and Caswell’s OK Garage at 312 Colorado. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1935, Sheet 13, accessed via Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4034am.g4034am_g084151935/?sp=18&st=image. D.5 – 17 The 1900 map shows the lot (middle of the block) as a one-story store with an awning at the street with several dwelling units to the rear, all with an address of 207 W. 4th St. City directories indicate that Henry Koch had a restaurant at 207 W. 4th St. in the early 1910s, which was likely in the front part of the complex shown on this map. The buildings shown here were demolished in the late 1920s for the construction of the Southland Red Ball Motor Bus Company garage, which first appears in the 1929 city directory. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1900, Sheet 3, accessed via ProQuest Digital Sanborn Maps, https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com.