10.0 - 1108 Elm St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JUNE 4, 2025 HR-2025-042102 WEST LINE HISTORIC DISTRICT 1108 ELM STREET 10.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Stabilize exterior walls, renovate the interior, and construct a glass enclosure and small second floor expansion. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Remove original exterior stone cladding and retain it to be replaced in the same locations. Stabilize structure to prevent further foundation issues and general cracking and splitting of the masonry walls and joints. Expand second floor space to include a dormer window incorporated into the existing roof slope for an expanded conditioned footprint. Remodel interior room sizes and layout. Construct an enclosed glass conservatory at the front right corner of the house and enclose a portion of the covered porch in a glass wall. Rebuild stone walls and repoint joints with a sacrificial mortar not stronger than the stone. ARCHITECTURE Described in the West Line National Register district nomination as having Romanesque Revival stylistic influence, the residence features a wide front gabled roof that dominated the street facing elevation. A recessed porch is present at one half of this façade, which is located behind two masonry arches and a thick corner support which creates a level on enclosure that is not common to other front porches in the district. The white-tan stone veneer present at all sides of the house is also unique to the area, and was constructed by the original owner, who was a stonemason. A large window in the front gable indicates that the second floor is inhabited space, but the overall house does not read as vertical as a result. RESEARCH Constructed around 1925, the property was owner occupied for its first several decades. Newspaper records indicate that, by 1963, the newlywed couple of Edward Dill Jr. and Gloria Dianne Hines moved into the address. 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 1. General standards Exterior wall masonry is proposed to be removed, cleaned, repaired, and reinstalled in keeping with best preservation practices. 2. Foundations Foundation repair details have not yet been fully disclosed pending investigation. However, the application indicates that the goal is to be stabilization for the exterior walls to be rebuilt as they originally were. 3. Roofs Two dormers are proposed that will be visible from the street. However, these have been designed to fit under the existing roof height and to minimally alter the pitch in their small, proposed footprint. Dormer configurations such as this are not uncommon to this district, and do not detract from the overall appearance of the house. 4. Exterior walls and trim Though the process is labor intensive and will drastically alter the appearance of the house while work is underway, the proposed result of removing, repairing, and reinstalling stone will restore the appearance of the stone cladding to the original construction. Combined with the proposed foundation work, these repairs are expected to restore integrity. 5. Windows, doors, and screens Some appropriate replacements are proposed at the rear and side elevations. 10.0 – 2 6. Porches A portion of the existing front porch is proposed to be enclosed by a glass wall. Given that the front porch is visually recessed, installing a glazed wall is less likely to visibly detract from the street. Residential additions 1. Location Enclosing a glazed conservatory at the front corner of the house is not in keeping with the design standards. However, given that its material is glass on all sides, it will be less visibly obstructing than a solid wall. 2. Scale, massing, and height The proposed hipped roof design of the conservatory may interfere with the height of the original house wall and its interaction with the roof overhang. Design alternatives may be explored to reduce this conflict, as well as reduce visual obstruction from the hipped glass roof. 3. Design and style Glass enclosures may be designed to complement original architecture, in this case from the 1920s. However, the design as it is, with its hipped roof and any decoration may come off as appearing inappropriately historicizing. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the West Line National Register district. 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 may meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of Romanesque Revival architecture that utilizes stone craftsmanship in a way unique to the district specifically and Austin generally. b. Historical association. The property may have significant historical associations. Further research into the stonemason industry may uncover significance relating to this address as being connected to a larger narrative that has not been documented in a city landmark. 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, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. The work of local stonemasonry to create the exterior veneer celebrates a level of craftsmanship that is present at many larger or institutional buildings but is not found at this scale elsewhere in the city. Documentation of the work and the mason’s larger portfolio could result in a strong argument to meet this criterion. 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 Strongly encourage reversibility when designing the proposed conservatory. Due to it being in a National Register district, and not a landmark, there is more design flexibility. However, this property may meet eligibility requirements for a landmark, so if that is pursued, retaining as much original material and layout is ideal. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans. LOCATION MAP 10.0 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 10.0 – 4 Permit application, 2025 Historical Information 10.0 – 5 The Austin American (1914-1973); Mar 15, 1959 The Austin American (1914-1973); Aug 4, 1963 Permits 10.0 – 6 Water tap permit, 1930