15.0 - 1604 Niles — original pdf

Backup

HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS FEBRUARY 7, 2024 HR-2024-005055 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1604 NILES ROAD 15 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Construct additions, a pool, a pergola, and an outbuilding. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Construct additions to the house at all elevations, including a sunroom, bay window, and mudroom. 2) Construct a covered pool patio and pool. 3) Construct a kitchenette/bathroom accessory building. The house at 1604 Niles Rd. is a two-story Colonial Revival building designed by Staub and Rather, with decorative brickwork, a symmetrical plan, and several additions. Pat Fleming designed the terraced rear landscaping. The house at 1604 Niles Road, also addressed as 4 Niles Road, was constructed in 1934 by Staub and Rather, a Houston firm. Houstonian Pat Fleming designed its terraced landscaping. Its first long-term occupants were Herman Brown, president of Brown & Root, and his wife Margaret Root Brown. With his brother-in-law Dan Root, Brown founded one of the largest construction companies in the world. Brown’s successes in Texas included the building of the Mansfield Dam, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, fleets of ships aiding the US Navy in World War II, and the Houston Manned Spacecraft Center1, along with many national and international projects. The property was later home to architect R. Max Brooks of Brooks & Barr—who also worked on the Manned Spacecraft Center, among other well-known civic and institutional buildings, including the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library--and attorney Albert P. Jones, University of Texas Law professor and State Bar president. It was also briefly home to Albert Negley, one of the primary developers responsible for the incorporation and design of Olmos Park in San Antonio2, as well as Texas Railroad Commissioner Ernest Thompson. 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 in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Repair and alterations The proposed project removes some historic fabric at the front of the building to construct a mudroom, though only a small part of the changes are visible from the street. Residential additions The proposed additions are constructed in the style of Staub and Rather, and they are mostly shielded from public view and are located on the back and sides of the house. Residential new construction The proposed new construction is limited to the back of the property, and all structures are one story in height with unobtrusive footprints. However, they may impact what remains of the original designed landscape. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. 1 https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/brown-herman 2 https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/the-autumn-of-alamo-heights/ 15 – 2 PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Old West Austin National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. Some additions appear to have taken place outside the period of significance, and windows have been replaced. The landscaping at the rear of the building appears to have been modified as additions to the building took place, but some landscape elements remain. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it meets two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is constructed in the Colonial Revival style by Houston architects Staub and Rather. b. Historical association. The property appears to have significant historical associations with Herman Brown of Brown & Root, Inc.; R. Max Brooks of Brooks & Barr, architects; and Albert Jones, University of Texas Law professor and State Bar President. It is likely that other extant buildings better showcase Brooks and Brown’s impact on the nation’s built environment. 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 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 may be a significant designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city as a design by landscape architect Pat Fleming. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans, encouraging the applicant to avoid disturbing any original landscape elements that remain of Pat Fleming’s design. The proposed modifications will have a limited effect on the overall form of the original portion of the building. LOCATION MAP 15 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 15 – 4 15 – 5 15 – 6 Occupancy History City Directory Research, January 2023 Historic review application, 2024 1959 1955 1952 1947 1941 1939 Wilbert Stearn, renter – housekeeper for 4 Niles Rd. Alfred W. Negley, owner Ernest O. and Myda Thompson, owners – chairman, State Railroad Commission Ernest O. and Myda Thompson, owners – chairman, State Railroad Commission Carmen M. Garcia, renter – UT student Herman and Margaret Brown, owners – president, Brown & Root Inc. Herman and Margaret Brown, owners – president, Brown & Root Inc. and Brown Securities Corp. oil producer, 412 Fannin Eunice Taylor, renter – cook for 4 Niles Rd. Herman and Margaret Brown, owners – oil operator, 412 Fannin; President-Treasurer, Brown & Root Inc.; President, Brown Securities Co. Herman and Margaret R. Brown, owners – president, Brown & Root Inc. Rear: Evelyn Greenwood 1932 1930 Rear: Lutitia and Oscar Polk, renters – domestic laborers for 4 Niles Road (Note: the directory indicates that the Polk family is African American) Fay Rudd Chiles, renter – stenographer, Brown & Root Inc. Herman and Margaret R. Brown, owners – president, Brown & Root Inc. Historical Information 15 – 7 Herman Brown obituary via https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/brown-herman 15 – 8 Texas Bar: https://www.texasbar.com/AM/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=President_Bios&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=20655&FuseFlag=1 New York Times, 1982: https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/11/obituaries/r-max-brooks-75-architect-designed-us-labor- building.html 15 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 July 1937: 5. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Dec 1937: 5. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Jan 1951: 7. 15 – 10 Buffler, Esther.  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Mar 1959: C15. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 Feb 1960: 6. 15 – 11 Nytimes.com. “The New York Times: Friday November 16, 1962,” 2024. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/11/16/issue.html. 15 – 12 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 29 Apr 1962: C13. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Mar 1963: A10. Powers, Kay.  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 Apr 1964: 24. 15 – 13 15 – 14 Permits The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 Mar 1969: E5.