13.0 - 422 Congress Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts January 7, 2026 PR-2025-157729; GF-2025-158085 Congress Avenue National Register Historic District 422 Congress Avenue 13 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1940 noncontributing building deemed eligible for contributing status in the 2025 Downtown Austin historic resources survey. Architecture Two-part commercial block. The 2025 survey notes that the building has been modified to include Mid-century Modern stylistic influences. Originally a masonry structure with decorative belt courses at the water table and second floor, with steel casement windows, it was drastically remodeled between 1967 and 1978 to add stucco and a projecting second floor. Per permits, two doors were added and the storefront relocated in 2004, and the rooftop structure was added in 2007 and expanded in 2015. Research The building at 422 Congress Avenue, originally addressed as 420-422 Congress Avenue, was constructed in 1940. It was the headquarters for the Texas Public Service Company’s natural gas division. By 1951, it was renamed as the company changed hands and became the headquarters for the Southern Union Gas Company. Property Evaluation The property does not currently contribute to the Congress Avenue National Register district, but the 2025 Downtown Austin historic resource survey lists it as a medium priority, recommends that the property be considered contributing in a future update to the 1978 National Register nomination, and identifies it as contributing to a potential local historic district. A 2015 staff report by former City of Austin Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky notes that the building does not have historic significance, though district eligibility was not considered at that time. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate to low integrity. Exterior walls were altered in 1967 and 1968 to include a projecting stucco second floor. A rooftop structure was added in 2007 and expanded in 2015. 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a two-part commercial block with Mid-century Modern stylistic influences. It does not retain sufficient integrity to convey architectural significance. b. Historical association. The property is associated with several natural gas businesses. 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 Approve the demolition permit application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, encouraging salvage of any remaining original materials found during demolition. Ensure that demolition does not adversely affect the landmarked James Robertson Building next door, which shares a wall with 422 Congress Avenue. The Historic Landmark Commission must review new construction drawings prior to permit release in National Register historic districts. Location Map 13 – 2 Property Information Photos 13 – 3 13 – 4 13 – 5 Demolition permit application, 2025 Douglass, Neal. Southern Union Gas Company. Photograph, February 9, 1951. University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History. Accessed December 17, 2025. Crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth74618/. 13 – 6 Hardy, Daniel. Congress Avenue Historic District (Southeast oblique). Photograph, February 1978. University of North Texas Libraries. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531. Robertson Building. Photograph, date unknown. University of North Texas Libraries, crediting Texas Historical Commission. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531. 13 – 7 Robertson Building. Photograph, date unknown. University of North Texas Libraries, crediting Texas Historical Commission. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531. Robertson Building. Photograph, date unknown. University of North Texas Libraries, crediting Texas Historical Commission. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531 13 – 8 Occupancy History City Directory Research, December 2025 1959 1952 1947 1944 1941 Southern Union Gas Co. Southern Union Gas Co. Texas Public Service Co., gas Texas Public Service Co. 420-422: Texas Public Service Co., gas Historical Information 1962 Sanborn map. “Digital Sanborn Maps,” 2025. https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/ 1935 Sanborn map. Proquest.com. “Digital Sanborn Maps,” 2025. https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/ 1900 Sanborn map. “Digital Sanborn Maps,” 2025. https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/ 1889 Sanborn map. “Digital Sanborn Maps,” 2025. https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/ 13 – 9 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=226360 Permits 13 – 10