06.0 - 1611 Preston Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts March 4, 2026 HR-2026-010143 Old West Austin Historic District 1611 Preston Avenue 6 – 1 Proposal Alter existing front elevation and construct a second-story addition. Project Specifications 1) Renovation of existing contributing property, including window and door replacement, front porch alteration, and replacement of exterior finishes. 2) Construction of a second floor addition, approximately 879 square feet. Architecture The house is a single-story asymmetrical design with a front porch at one side covered by an ample overhanging roof supported by wood posts. Its foundation is elevated on piers, and two pairs of large windows face the street. The roof is set at a moderate pitch, and the overall structure reads as horizontal, like other contributing properties in the neighborhood. Research For approximately the first two decades after its construction, the house was owned by the McCrummen family. Hugh and Mary McCrummen lived together at the address with at least one daughter until Hugh’s passing after 1952. Mary McCrummen continued to live at the address and worked as a dietitian. 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 The alterations in this proposal call for the removal of intact historic material, though it is not determined how much of the siding was replaced since original construction. Views of the building from the 2000s show different windows were present, making the current fixtures replacements. The size and location of the addition allows approximately half the existing house to retain its form. 3. Roofs The second floor addition will remove a portion of the roof form that is visible from the street, but will retain the current form above the porch. 4. Exterior walls and trim Brick veneer is proposed at the front wall and at locations around the side and back of the existing house. 5. Windows, doors, and screens Front windows are to be replaced. However, these fixtures are not original and appear to have been replaced around 2011-2013. 6. Porches The present form of the front porch was created around the same time as the window replacements described above. Proposed alterations closer resemble the previous, possibly original, assembly. 6 – 2 Residential additions 1. Location Second floor addition will be located on the western half of the existing building, leaving the eastern half intact with the exception of alterations listed above. The addition will start at the front of the house and project backward. While a stepped form going back from the front of the house would be ideal to meet the Standards, the limited footprint preserves much of the original ground floor form and appearance. 2. Scale, massing, and height By limiting the second floor addition to approximately half the floorplate, the proposal retains some of the horizontality of the original design. Unlike later house forms such as the ranch, the horizontal arrangement of rooms is not necessarily a character defining feature at this property. The highest point of the addition, at the peak of the front-facing gable, will be approximately 25 feet. 3. Design and style The overall design of the addition is generally in keeping with the existing house and the district. Having a front-facing gable above what was a side-gable single roof form will complicate the building’s shape, but not in any way that significantly detracts from the original structure. 4. Roofs The addition’s roof, while rotated from the original, will use the same slope and material. 5. Exterior walls The front wall is to be clad in brick, matching the altered front elevation of the original house. There are many examples of brick construction in the district and this alteration will not appear out of place. 6. Windows, screens, and doors Proposed windows are 1-over-1 fixtures. At the front elevation, a slightly recessed surround is proposed around second floor windows. Updated design drawings indicate revisions from a previous proposal, which was more visually intrusive and included a change of material. As revised, the second floor fenestration meets the design standards. 7. Porches and decks No new porches are proposed, with the exception of the alterations described above. 8. Chimneys A chimney is proposed at the rear of the ground floor, but will be minimally visible from the street. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. Department Comments This application times out on May 18, 2026. Property Evaluation The property contributes to the Old West Austin National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate-to-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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a decent example of domestic architecture found in the district. 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. 6 – 3 Staff Recommendation Comment on plans for alterations and proposed addition and release the application. Location Map 6 – 4 Property Information Photos 6 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2026 Google Streetview, 2024 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 Henry & Jean Taliaferro, owners; Jean: teacher at Pecan Springs school Mary McCrummen, owner; dietitian Same as above Hugh & Mary McCrummen Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Address not listed Historical Information 6 – 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Dec 12, 1952; 12. Permits The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jul 31, 1956; 7. Sewer tap permit, 1940