18.0 - 2907 Beanna St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS MAY 7, 2025 PR-2025-043280; GF-2025-045598 2907 BEANNA STREET 18.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1929 house. ARCHITECTURE Built in the Craftsman style with Tudor Revival elements, the house at 2907 Beanna Street is a single-story residence built on pier and beam foundation with a moderate-to-highly pitched roof, exaggerating the verticality common to the Tudor style. The most prominent feature is the brick chimney near the center of the front elevation, which is multi-tonal and textured brick and features two curves that taper its width as it extends above the front wall. A door at one side features an arched top and four small lites which again evoke the Tudor Revival style. Two sets of paired windows finish out the front elevation details, which appear to be original. The house is clad in lapped shingle on all sides. The house has high integrity and is in good condition. RESEARCH Upon construction around 1929, the house was occupied for renters for several years. The most notable of these were Timothy & Mabel Moynihan, the former of whom worked as a line coach for the University of Texas football team. Upon his departure to seek a coaching job elsewhere, the house was purchased by Benjamin and Mary Freeborough, who would own the house for the next several decades. Benjamin Freeborough worked as an engineer for the Texas State Highway Department and later the Asphault Institute. During his time working for the state, he oversaw the development of hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of road construction now known as Farm-to-Market routes. He retired after 30 years of service at the agency. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2019 North Loop-Hancock-Boggy Creek survey lists the property as a medium priority. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is an excellent example of Craftsman and Tudor Revival architecture. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical 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 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, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 18.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 18.0 – 3 Occupancy History City Directory Research, April 2025 Google Streetview, March 2024 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Benjamin B. and Mary S. Freeborough, owners; Civil engineer at Asphalt Institute Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above, now Engineer at Texas State Highway Department Same as above 1944-45 Same as above 1941 1939 1937 1935 Same as above Same as above Same as above, now Inventory manager at State Highway Planning Survey Department Timothy A. and Mabel Moynihan, renters; Coach at University of Texas 1932-33 William B. Davis, Jr., renter; Student at University of Texas 1927 Address not listed Historical Information 18.0 – 4 The Capitol Staff.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Feb 1954: 12. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 July 1949: 13B The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 07 Mar 1948: A9. 18.0 – 5 MARY V WALLACE American-Statesman Society Staff.  The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Sep 1945: A5 18.0 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 04 Jan 1936: 3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 04 Jan 1936: 3. Permits 18.0 – 7 Water Tap Permit, April 30, 1931