10.0 - 4901 Ridge Oak Dr — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS APRIL 2, 2025 PR-2024-008236 4901 RIDGE OAK DRIVE 10.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1951 house. ARCHITECTURE Believed to have been designed by Austin architect Barton Riley1, the house at 4901 Ridge Oak Drive was constructed around 1951 for Edgar Perry III, grandson of Edgar Howard “Commodore” Perry. The single-story house is set on a triangular parcel that slopes towards the east, offering an optimal view of downtown. Clad in a combination white stone, concrete, and vertical wood siding, the house emphasizes its horizontality with two long wings in an L-shape. The north side of the lot features a driveway that curves around the house and terminates at a carport. There is an entry to the kitchen in this location, indicating that the doorway in the middle of the house, facing Ridge Oak Drive and opening onto the foyer and living room of the house, was designed to be the main entry. Arranging two doors in this way indicates that the automobile entry may have been seen as more of a service entry. The longer of the two wings extends to the north and includes living areas and bedrooms and features a rear door from the dining room to a broad deck that provides a view of downtown Austin. It also features ample swimming pool, which abuts a retaining wall. A flat roof covers the entire house, with moderate overhangs on several sides. Fenestration is generally not large but is grouped in several areas to create a ribbon window appearance. At the rear of the house, near the deck, is a large brick chimney that extends above the flat roof by a few feet. From the street, the exterior walls, windows, and doors are weathered but appear to be in fair condition. RESEARCH The Perry family has a long history in Austin that stretches across the city, both architecturally and civically2. The house at 4901 Ridge Oak Drive was constructed for Edgar and Kathleen Perry to live in after their 1951 marriage and was completed when Edgar Perry III was in his early 20s. In the short years after their moving in, Edgar was involved in several family business ventures, including Southwest Ledge Stone Company, Terminix Termite Control3, and, most recently, the Perry Manufacturing Company, which produced plastics and other newly developed materials for domestic use4. He also became involved in, and was listed as owner of, the Memorial Hill Mausoleum. In 1959, Edgar Perry III ran for, and was elected to, a seat on the Austin City Council. He would serve for five years, and at one point would serve as the youngest mayor pro tempore in the country5. After not seeking reelection, he would go on to serve with numerous charity boards, including the YMCA and Goodwill. Kathleen Perry was involved in religious and community groups across the city, and frequently appeared in Austin newspapers in the fashion sections and best dressed lists6. The couple had two daughters together while living at Ridge Oak Drive. PROPERTY EVALUATION Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 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 does meet two criteria: 1 https://www.treymcwhorter.com/posts/23-barton-darrell-pat-riley 2 Winnie, Allen, “Perry, James Franklin,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed March 25, 2025, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/perry-james-franklin. 3 “Terminix has Proven Record.” The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 May 1952: 12. 4 “New Plastics Center to Open Up on Monday.” The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 01 Aug 1954: A7. 5 “Reelection Asked.” The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Mar 1963: A1. 6 “Did You See…” The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Feb 1959: B10 a. Architecture. The building is a notable example of midcentury residential architecture. b. Historical association. The property appears to have significant historical associations, most notably with former City Council member Edgar Perry III. Currently, there are properties landmarked with association to Edgar “Commodore” Perry I and the Perry family, but none with Edgar Perry III. 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 is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, 10.0 – 2 cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Consider initiating historic zoning pending structural documentation submitted by the applicant. If designation is not pursued, encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 10.0 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 10.0 – 4 Front and side elevation, Site visit, March 2025 Closer view of front elevation, better showing current conditions, Site visit, March 2025 10.0 – 5 View from front approach to property (Ridge Oak Drive on left, Crestway Drive on right), Site visit, March 2025 Side of house from Crestway Drive, Site visit, March 2025 10.0 – 6 Retaining wall adjacent to pool, viewed from Crestway Drive, Site visit, March 2025 Google Streetview, 2024 10.0 – 7 Zillow property listing, 2025 Demolition application, 2025 10.0 – 8 Demolition application, 2025 Edgar H. Perry III and Kathleen M. Perry, owners; The Perry Company Investments, Memorial Hill Mausoleum, Southwest Ledge Stone Co, Terminix Co Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2024 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 Same as above Same as above Under construction Address not listed Historical Information The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 20 July 1930: 1. 10.0 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 June 1948: The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 July 1951: C1. 10.0 – 10 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 May 1952: 12. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 13 Mar 1953: 15. 10.0 – 11 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 01 Aug 1954: A7.(left) and Austin, Tex.. 19 Sep 1954: F6. (right) 10.0 – 12 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 Oct 1956: A19. 10.0 – 13 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Feb 1959: B10. 10.0 – 14 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 30 Mar 1959: 7. 10.0 – 15 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 Apr 1959: A3. (left) and The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Apr 1959: A1. (right) The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 29 Jan 1961: A2. 10.0 – 16 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Feb 1961: A32. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 17 Nov 1961: 17. .  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Jan 1962: C1. 10.0 – 17 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 Mar 1963: A1. Permits 10.0 – 18 Water Service Permit, 1951