24.0-25.0 - 604 W. 18th St & 1801 Rio Grande St — original pdf

Backup

24-25 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 4, 2025 2025-052143 DA; GF-2025-059324 2025-052143 DA; GF-2025-059324 PENTHOUSE APARTMENTS 1801 RIO GRANDE STREET/604 W. 18TH STREET A&B PROPOSAL Demolish an apartment building constructed between 1962 and 1964. ARCHITECTURE Three-story apartment complex constructed with Ranch and Mid-century Modern stylistic influences. The front building is clad in brick with a horseshoe-shaped plan, while the back building has an irregular plan. RESEARCH The property is associated with businessman Gene McGregor, whose early days as a champion cardshark in catapulted him into nightclub ownership, talent management, and apartment construction and management in the 1960s and 1970s. After serving in the South Pacific during World War II, McGregor made his home in Austin and purchased several small nightclubs while gambling competitively around the country. After establishing his success as a club owner and entertainment manager with Club Petite and Caravan, McGregor entered the construction business, focusing his efforts on apartment development. After his initial foray into the industry with the Tropicana Apartments, McGregor constructed the Rio Grande Penthouse in 1962 and expanded it in 1964. Though he made his home in the Penthouse, McGregor would go on to construct the VIP, Casa Grande, Casa Tejas, Granada, and Americana Apartments throughout the 1960s. PROPERTY EVALUATION The draft 2025 Downtown Historic Resource Survey lists the property as contributing to potential local and National Register historic districts. In the survey it is addressed as 604 W. 18th St. Bldgs. A & B. 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of mid-century low-rise multifamily housing constructed with Ranch influences. b. Historical association. The property is associated with businessman Gene McGregor. 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 Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then material salvage and reuse, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 24-25 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 24-25 – 3 Google Street View, January 2023 https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Texas/Austin/Penthouse-Apartments/100035277/ 24-25 – 4 https://www.apartmentlist.com/tx/austin/penthouse https://www.rent.com/texas/austin-apartments/penthouse-apartments-4-lc4996262 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2025 Not found in city directories. Directory research limited to pre-1959 structures while facility under construction. Historical Information 24-25 – 5 JOHN BUSTIN Amusements Editor.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 01 Apr 1955: 27. 24-25 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 June 1958: A5 MacNABB, BETTY.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Mar 1961: A1. 24-25 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 13 Mar 1961: 8. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Mar 1961: A6. 24-25 – 8 Baker, Marlee.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 Apr 1962: B1. 24-25 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Sep 1960: A3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 Aug 1962: B18. 24-25 – 10 Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 04 Oct 1964: F12. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 11 Oct 1964: D14. 24-25 – 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 Nov 1964: 64. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Sep 1965: 15. 24-25 – 12 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Jan 1965: 12. 24-25 – 13 JIM LANGDON Amusements Staff.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Sep 1965: B6. JOHN BUSTIN Amusements Editor.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Apr 1968: 37. 24-25 – 14 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Jan 1971: F5. 24-25 – 15 LARRY SPRINGER Staff Writer.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Mar 1973: 6. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/eugene-mcgregor-8214226 Permits 24-25 – 16