14.0 - 1113-1115 West Lynn St — original pdf

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14 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS DECEMBER 4, 2024 HR-2024-150514 WEST LINE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 1113-1115 WEST LYNN STREET PROPOSAL Partially demolish and remodel existing building, reconstructing the west façade and constructing a new mixed-use development. Preserve existing Daniel Johnston mural in place. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Demolish existing building, except for the mural and brick wall at the north elevation. Stabilize and preserve existing mural and brick wall, using steel supports and a temporary slab to anchor it in place while the new building is constructed around it. 2) Reconstruct deteriorated west (front) elevation with in-kind materials and fenestration, including canopy. 3) Construct a new mixed-use building with commercial frontage on West Lynn Street and residential frontage on Eason Street. The proposed mixed-use structure is 5 stories in height, with a flat roof, horizontally oriented full-height windows, transparent screening, a roof deck, and stucco cladding. The new building wraps the existing house at 1101 West Lynn Street, with outdoor seating terraces unifying the two structures. 4) Add street trees and low-profile planters in place of existing parking lots. Retain existing historic-age signage. ARCHITECTURE The existing building includes a one-story, horizontally oriented two-unit store with plate-glass windows, masonry veneer, and a flat canopy with curved supports; and a two-story attached dry cleaner with painted stone cladding and no fenestration at the primary street frontage but a long horizontal bank of multilight steel casement windows at the secondary façade. RESEARCH The building at 1113-1115 West Lynn Street was constructed in 1950 by Anthony and Alice Colanetta, replacing an older store building that had housed a drugstore named Enfield Rite-Way. The Colanettas opened Anthony’s Laundry and Cleaners in one half of the building and leased the other half to Hilton and Eleanor Nau in 1951. There, the Naus opened Nau’s Enfield Drug and soda fountain, and the businesses operated side-by-side for the rest of the century. According to a 2021 history by former Historic Preservation Officer Elizabeth Brummett, the Nau family owned several drugstores in Austin: Historically, multiple drug stores bore the Nau name, most owned by Hilton’s older brother Ladner. Ladner Nau came to Austin in 1926 to go to pharmacy school at the University of Texas. After working at a drug store for a couple of years, he and the proprietor of that store opened the Community Drug Store at 1201 E. 1st (Cesar Chavez) and Waller streets. Shortly thereafter, he bought the business outright. In 1935, Ladner established Nau’s San Jacinto Drug Store at 1819–21 San Jacinto St. This location remained in operation for nearly 30 years. Nau’s Drug Store No. 2 at 913 E. 1st St. operated under the management of Maynard Anderson from at least 1949 through 1959. In 1964, Ladner Nau closed the San Jacinto location and opened Nau’s Pharmacy at 2405 San Gabriel St. Though Ladner had retired, the pharmacy remained open in 1980, but neither the business nor the building presently remains. Hilton Nau also attended the University of Texas. Per City Directories, he worked as a pharmacist at the San Jacinto Drug Store in 1937 but by 1939 had co-founded Nau’s Nueces Drug Co. with Ladner. Hilton married Eleanor Liebscher in 1945. In 1951, the couple established Nau’s Enfield Drug Store. Eleanor Nau did the bookkeeping, continuing for years after the couple sold the business to pharmacist Lambert Labay in 1972. Labay continues to operate the drugstore and soda fountain.1 In 1971, Nau sold the business to pharmacist Lambert Labay, who worked there for 55 years. The business remained in the Labay family until its closure in 2021. Lambert Labay’s obituary describes the community significance of the soda fountain: Nau's Drug was a local gathering place, and it was really hopping back when what is now the Austin Community College Rio Grande campus was the original Austin High School. For decades former students from Austin High and the University of Texas would come back to see if their old hangout was still around. And it was…Lots of folks now remembering Lambert Labay and his family business, both now a part of Austin's history.2 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=362619 2 https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/lambert-labay-the-man-behind-longtime-landmark-naus-enfield-drug-has-died 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: 14 – 2 Repair and alterations 1. General standards The proposed project removes most of the existing building. 4. Exterior walls and trim The proposed project retains character-defining mural and brickwork at the secondary elevation. 11. Commercial storefronts Where character-defining storefront features at the front and side elevations are deteriorated beyond repair, the proposal includes in-kind reconstruction of both the storefront and canopy. Commercial new construction 1. Location The new building is set atop the existing Nau’s Pharmacy storefront, with stepbacks at each story starting at 12’. It is aligned with the historic-age buildings on the block. The portion of the building that extends to 1101 West Lynn is located behind the existing historic-age house. Its commercial spaces are oriented in the same way as the existing commercial buildings. 2. Scale, massing, and height The proposed new building’s massing is largely horizontal and successfully reflects the horizontality of the existing commercial buildings. Its floor-to-floor heights appear to mostly match the Nau’s Pharmacy building height. While the building is monolithic in massing and taller in height than the surrounding district’s contributing commercial buildings, the wall-plane offsets at each module and use of stepbacks at each floor and along the West Lynn elevation help to provide appropriate transitions and reductions in the building’s visual weight. 3. Design and style The proposed new building’s design and style is mostly compatible and appears sufficiently differentiated from the older buildings on the block. 4. Materials The proposed materials appear appropriate and help to visually break up the building’s mass. The reconstructed portions of the building utilize the same materials and fenestration patterns as the original. 5. Storefronts Street-level storefronts, including the reconstructed Nau’s storefront, have large windows, prominent entrances, and pedestrian-scale detailing. 6. Parking structures The proposed parking structure is underground; however, its entrance is on the primary street frontage. It appears mostly compatible with the surrounding storefronts. Sites and streetscapes 3. Mechanical equipment and site appurtenances Mechanical equipment is located at the rear of the building. 5. Sidewalks, driveways, and parking Sidewalks and driveways appear compatible with the surrounding district. 6. Streetscape elements Streetscape elements appear compatible with the surrounding district. The existing historic-age neon signage will be retained. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. The applicant has amended parts of the design to reflect Committee feedback. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the West Line National Register district. 14 – 3 Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The property is at least 50 years old and represents a period of significance of at least 50 years ago. The Daniel Johnston mural at the north elevation may qualify as a design element that has achieved exceptional significance in the past 50 years, as defined by National Register Bulletin 22, National Park Service (1996). 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is constructed with simplified mid-century Modern stylistic influences, though it does not appear to convey architectural significance. See 1 for mural significance. b. Historical association. The property is associated with Nau’s Pharmacy and its owners, the Nau and Labay families, as well as Anthony’s Dry Cleaners and the Colanetta family. 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. As one of Austin’s most recognizable corners featuring two legacy businesses, the property possesses community value as an anchoring business of the West Line and Clarksville National Register Historic Districts. 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 Retain as much of the historic portion of the building as possible and demonstrate that portions to be reconstructed have deteriorated beyond repair. Perform selective demolition to determine the canopy’s construction and the extent of its deterioration. Wrap stonework and keep 1’-2’ beyond canopy as a character-defining feature. Save as much of the canopy return as possible and reconstruct it at the secondary elevation to enhance continuity. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Concur with Committee feedback and comment on plans. The applicant has amended the design to incorporate Committee and neighborhood feedback, reconstruct the iconic but deteriorated storefront elevation in-kind, and retain the mural—a significant recent-past feature of exceptional significance as defined by the National Park Service’s Criteria Consideration G—and non-deteriorated brickwork at the secondary elevation. LOCATION MAP 14 – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos Historic review application, 2024 14 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2024 1959 1113 – Anthony’s Laundry & Dry Cleaner A-C Linen Supplies 1115 – Nau’s Enfield Drug Store 1957 1113 – Anthony’s Laundry & Dry Cleaner A-C Linen Supplies 1115 – Nau Enfield Drug Store 1955 1113 – Anthony’s Laundry & Dry Cleaner A-C Linen Supplies 1115 – Nau Enfield Drug Store 1953 1113 – Anthony’s Laundry & Dry Cleaner A-C Linen Supplies 1115 – Nau Enfield Drug Store 1952 1113 – Anthony’s Laundry & Dry Cleaner A-C Linen Supplies 1115 – Nau’s Enfield Drug Store Historical Information 14 – 6 14 – 7 https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/lambert-labay-the-man-behind-longtime-landmark-naus-enfield-drug-has-died 1935 Sanborn map showing original building at W. 12th and West Lynn Streets 14 – 8 1962 Sanborn map 14 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 17 Dec 1951: A9. 14 – 10 Nau’s Enfield Drug Store grand opening, The Austin Statesman, 12/17/1951 14 – 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Dec 1951: 5. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Jan 1952: A5 14 – 12 The Austin Statesman, 3/11/1952 14 – 13 Information on San Jacinto Drug Store owned by Hilton Nau’s brother, Ladner Nau, The Austin Statesman, 7/13/1935 14 – 14 Information on pharmacies owned by Hilton Nau’s brother, Ladner Nau, The Austin American-Statesman, 3/6/1980 14 – 15 14 – 16 Austin American-Statesman. Sun, Apr 10, 1994. 24. Lottery won't change Nau's -- and people like it that way Mike Kelley 792 words 25 March 2000 Austin American-Statesman AAS A1 English © 2000 Austin American Statesman. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All Rights Reserved. Nau's Enfield Drug looks and feels just about like it did when it opened in 1951. And since most folks who trade there know most of the other folks who trade there, word got around fast this week that this was where a $28 million Texas Lottery ticket was purchased and that Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson had bought it. "Everybody is elated," said Martha Taylor, behind the front counter. "They're happy for the store and the fun of it. Everybody's heard about it." Nau's, at West 12th and West Lynn streets, caters to a mix of not- at-all-wealthy and wealthy-indeed customers. And it was famous in its part of town long before Henderson -- of Dallas Cowboys fame -- saw a football. Lambert Labay got his first job there in 1963, fresh out of the University of Texas Pharmacy College, working for owners Hilton and Eleanor Nau. In 1972, he bought the place and kept the name. When he got a telephone call about 8:30 a.m. Thursday from an employee telling him that the winning ticket had been bought at the store, Labay wondered whether "he was just joshing me." Who ever holds the license to sell lottery tickets collects 1 percent of the jackpot for a winning ticket. In Labay's case, that meant $280,000, which would be about five years' worth of profits. His employee wasn't joshing. "What went through my head," Labay said Friday, "was things I've intended to do but couldn't for financial reasons. My soda fountain needs some major repair work, quite expensive, and I've been putting that off. . . . My employees get a bonus every year, so maybe this year it'll be a little bit better." As with any real drugstore, the heart of Nau's is the soda fountain, 12 orange seats lined around the U-shaped, green Formica- topped counter, all from 1951. Next to the counter are four booths, solid wood. And there are three wooden tables and their old, familiar ice-cream-parlor chairs with heart-shaped wire backs. At one of those tables, a customer spotted Labay. "Mr. Famous," he said. Labay smiled. At the counter, Austin lawyer David Brooks was having lunch. He lives across town, but he comes here for the burgers. Of the store's windfall, he said, "I certainly think they should distribute it among the employees and the longtime customers who have been here more than 10 or 15 years. I happen to have been coming here for 18 to 20 years." He was joking. As was George Alvarez, one of the store's 10 employees. He's seen Henderson, who lives nearby, only a couple of times, and doesn't really know him. He'd hoped the winner would be one of the customers he knows better because "I've been promised many trips to Europe if they win." Ann Butler, wife of former Austin Mayor Roy Butler, dropped by to tell Labay congratulations. She's been trading at Nau's for years. And for years, Nau's has remained Nau's. The milkshake machines are jade-green Hamilton Beach, right out of "Happy Days." You can get a banana split or ice cream sodas in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cherry or pineapple. You can buy an Archie comic book or a Captain Marvel, which a sign urges you to purchase before reading. You can buy hard candies and crutches, stuffed animals and heating pads, postcards, greeting cards, a ceramic pig or perfume. This is where the neighbors come to post notices. A dog's been found. Mathews Elementary School is having open-house tours. The Clarksville Community Development Board has a meeting scheduled. There's a children's mask-making workshop. "This is a neighborhood pharmacy," Labay said. "It's a place where most people know my name, and they know each other. . . . I have lots of people who have gone to school here come back years later, come in the store, and say, 'Oh my gosh, it looks just like when I went to school; don't ever change.' That seems to be real important to a lot of people. "And it's not going to change. Just business as usual." Except that, at least for a while, Nau's may sell a few more lottery tickets. You may contact Mike Kelley at mkelley@statesman.com or 445-3627. COLOR PHOTOS; Photo: Larry Kolvoord/AA-S; For the most part, time has stood still at Nau's Enfield Drug. On Friday, Annette Veloz straightened up the counter -- green Formica from 1951 -- as Austin lawyer David Brooks enjoyed lunch. 14 – 17 Austin American Statesman All were family at her drugstore Melissa Ludwig, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF 534 words 11 April 2005 Austin American-Statesman AAS B1 English © 2005 Austin American Statesman. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All Rights Reserved. When the march of computers transformed Austin into a high-tech city, it bypassed Nau's Enfield Drug Store. With its old-timey soda fountain and homemade pimiento cheese sandwiches, the iconic pharmacy has barely budged toward progress since Hilton and Eleanor Nau opened it in 1951. Eleanor Nau, who died Saturday at the age of 95, kept the books by hand until she was 87, using an ancient adding machine and paying the employees cash in brown envelopes, said Brenda Kruemcke, Nau's great-niece. "It was a traditional small-town-in-a-big-town kind of pharmacy," said Kruemcke, 51. "The customers were like family. She knew intimate details of everyone's life, yet she never discussed them." Nau grew up a "country girl" in Giddings, Kruemcke said. In 1945, she married the love of her life, pharmacist Hilton Ernest Nau, after he returned from World World II. The couple opened their first pharmacy on Nueces Street soon afterward, working from early morning until the wee hours of the night to develop the business. But it was the second pharmacy, Nau's Enfield Drug Store on West Lynn, that became the center of their lives, Kruemcke said. Eleanor, a tall looker with flawless skin and an outgoing personality, took care of the books and purchased knickknacks for the store while her more reserved husband filled prescriptions, family members said. She loved to talk to everyone who bellied up to the lunch counter for a hamburger or a malt. "She truly was stunning and very sharp-witted," Kruemcke said. "She lost an eye to cancer very young, but you never knew she had a glass eye; she was just so elegant." The couple never had children, but Eleanor raised her nephew Marvin and took care of her mother and a friend's mother before they died. In 1972, the Naus sold the store to Lambert Labay, a pharmacist who started working there as a young student and had become like a son to the couple. Labay insisted that Eleanor remain the pharmacy's bookkeeper and even brought the ledgers to her bedside when a back injury forced her to retire at 87, Kruemcke said. The Naus were die-hard fans of the University of Texas, and their den was a blur of burnt orange, Kruemcke said. They even chose their gravesites in Oakwood Cemetery near the stadium so they could continue to watch the games. Hilton Nau died in 1990. "They hired so many UT students over the years, and they took each one in as family; they would feed them, pay them, listen to them, parent them," Kruemcke said. Even as Nau's health failed, Kruemcke said, she would not relinquish her lifelong beauty routines. Her hair was done, and her nails and lips were painted red, she said. "She was a true Southern woman," Kruemcke said. "It wasn't glamour; it was an identity of who you were: always dressed, always with your lipstick on." Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Weed- Corley-Fish Chapel, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery. 14 – 18 mludwig@statesman.com; 246-0043 Austin American Statesman ELEANOR HELEN LIEBSCHER NAU was born November 12, 1909, in Giddings, Texas, to Richard and Sophie (Schlottman) Liebscher and died April 9, 2005. Eleanor reached the age of 95 years and five months. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Giddings, Texas. She attended Good Hope School, Giddings High School and attended Business College in Dallas. She married Hilton Ernest Nau on September 28, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas. Eleanor and Hilton, in partnership with Hilton’s brother, Ladner Nau, opened their first drug store, Nueces Drug Store. In 1951, Eleanor and Hilton began the legacy of Nau’s Enfield Drug Store. This Austin landmark continues to operate today under the ownership of Lambert Labay, Eleanor’s choice to continue the dream she and Hilton started. Eleanor viewed all the employees and patrons of Nau’s Enfield Drug Store as family and she continued to keep the books, long after she had sold the business. She retired from Nau’s Enfield Drug Store at the age of 87. Eleanor attended First English Lutheran Church in Austin, where she was active until her retirement. Eleanor spent many volunteer hours as part of St. David’s Volunteer Auxiliary Association. Eleanor spent the last years of her life at Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village in Brenham, Texas. Not only during the last years of poor health, but through the years, Eleanor was faithfully and lovingly cared for by Rita and Marvin Christiansen. Frequent visitors who brought joy to Eleanor were her two favorite Pomeranians, Sassy and Mandy. Eleanor was known for her elegance and beauty and Rita always made sure that Eleanor had her trademark lipstick and her classic red fingernails. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Hilton Ernest Nau, her parents Richard and Sophie Liebscher, sisters Clara Liebscher Christiansen, Gussie Liebscher Woodcock, brother Herman Liebscher, and her nephew, James Christiansen. She is survived by nephews and nieces, Marvin and Rita Christiansen of Brenham, Texas, Charles and Edna Christiansen of Newport News, Virginia, Vernell Christiansen Kruemcke of Giddings, Texas, Carol Anne and A.J. Stayton of Cat Spring, Texas, niece-in-law Florence Christiansen of Waller, Texas, sister-in-law Kathryn Nau of Austin, Texas, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Find A Grave, Eleanor Helen Liebscher Nau, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11345929/eleanor-helen-nau 14 – 19 14 – 20 14 – 21 14 – 22 14 – 23 Austinchronicle.com. “Then and Nau,” 2007. https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2007-02-16/446950/. Permits 14 – 24 1113 West Lynn St - Water Tap Permit, July 18, 1951 14 – 25 1115 West Lynn St – Water Tap Permit, July 18, 1951