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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Certificate of Appropriateness August 5, 2026 HR-2026-090085 Hyde Park Historic District 4412 Avenue B 5 – 1 Proposal Rehabilitate a National Register-listed property and construct a rear addition. Project Specifications 1) Repair and restore historic materials dating from or around original construction, including windows, siding, porches, and interior features. 2) Insulate the exterior walls by removing siding, installing insulation and a vapor barrier, then reinstalling the original siding. Where material is deteriorated, patching will occur with new material installed in least visible locations. 3) Construct an addition at the rear of the property, to be tied into the area of the structure historically used for services and back-of-house space. Architecture Constructed shortly before 1900, the two-story residence sits prominently on what was one of the rear blocks of the Hyde Park development. It features a visually octagonal front room that projects forward from one end towards the street, which is capped with a steep roof punctuated by several triangular gables decorated with ornamented flashing and millwork. Along most of the front of both the first and second floors, porches are present that once wrapped around the side of the house, which have since seen their sides enclosed. A steep metal roof above the second floor creates a prominent, tall structure that was very visible when it was first constructed, now settled in around neighboring trees and other structures. Research The property was constructed by Frank Taylor and Belle Ramsey, who lived there for almost 40 years. At this time, Frank Ramsey ran a horticulture business, where numerous cultivars of peaches, plums, and apples were grown and developed, both in greenhouses to the south of the property as well as in fields to the north, across what is today West 45th Street. Throughout their ownership, the Frank Ramsey gained notoriety across Texas and was referred to in newspapers as “the most widely known nurseryman of the Lone Star State.” After their deaths, the property stayed in the family for another ten years before being sold to Fred & Birdie Sturdivant, who were involved in the local dairy business. Design Standards The Hyde Park Design Standards are used to evaluate projects within the historic district. The following standards apply to the proposed project: 1. General Standards 1.1 Prevention of Demolition The proposed work will retain the overall structure and vast majority of historic material present at the property. 1.2. Retention of Historic Style The historic style, especially at the front and other public-facing exterior walls, will be retained. Character defining elements will be retained and restored as needed. 1.3. Avoidance of False Historicism Any alterations proposed at the property, especially those that affect the exterior walls and ornamental elements, will retain the existing style and not add to it, thereby preventing false historicism from encroaching on the building. 5 – 2 1.4. Appropriate Treatment Options for Contributing or Potentially Contributing Structures At the main house, restoration is prioritized over replacement. In situations where replacement of material is required, documentation indicates that the elements will match profiles. 1.5. Energy Efficiency Exterior wall cladding and siding are proposed to be temporarily removed, the walls insulated and a vapor barrier installed, and the siding put back in place. While the proposal appears to not visually affect the overall finished appearance of the building, there are concerns that the space for insulation and the vapor barrier, along with any cavity space required for drainage, will create a thicker wall assembly that will alter the view of the property from the street. It should be verified, at point of permit application, that the walls are to retain approximately their same thickness as existing. 3. Residential Standards: Single Family and Contributing Multifamily – Preservation and Restoration 3.1. Front of House The wall cladding, upon completion of work outlined in the Energy Efficiency section above, will ideally have the same visual appearance as existing. Removal of non-historic porch enclosures will uncover the original porch appearance, and along with new handrail and millwork will seek to replicate original design elements based on historic photographs. One second floor window will be removed and replaced with a door, which appears to be the original setup, which is apparent when viewing photos in backup. Additionally, one door on the ground floor, which is currently adjacent to the main entry, will be removed and infilled with glass. It is suggested that this door would be moved to the second floor to serve as porch access. This may not be appropriate, as it changes the language of how the house was accessed. The presence of two front doors, which may have designated two separate residences, tells a story of past use. At the May 13, 2026 meeting of the Architectural Review Committee, it was recommended to keep the door fixture in place, with the option of making it non-functional or otherwise blocking it off from inside. 3.2. Doors and Doorways With the exception of the door relocation and infill described above, the exterior doors are proposed to be retained and unaltered, except for simple repair where necessary. 3.3. Windows At the front and side of the house, windows are to be retained and repaired where necessary. Towards the rear arm of the building, which largely housed services when originally constructed, some alterations are proposed. Three windows are the rear are proposed to be removed and replaced with smaller fixtures to better fit the overall program of the building. Because these windows are the most out of the way, and are more utilitarian in nature, this is an acceptable alteration. 3.4. Porches Porches are to be retained and opened up to recreate their original appearance. Handrails and other millwork will be replaced with fixtures based on historic photographs. 3.5. Roofs Metal roof will be replaced in-kind due to deteriorated decking and supports. New roof material will also be metal, with standing seams. 3.6. Chimneys The house currently has two chimneys. One is in disrepair and will be removed, with the bricks used for infill where needed. This chimney is also less visually prominent, so there are no concerns. 4. Residential Standards: Additions to Contributing Single Family and Multi-Family Structures 4.1. Preservation of Historic Character Proposed addition is at the rear and will be minimally visible, and will tie into the existing residence at as small of a place as possible. Retention of historic material will be maximized in the proposed layout. 4.2. Location Addition will be at the rear of the property. 4.3. Roof, Fenestration, and Siding Materials at the roof, windows, and exterior walls will be compatible with the main house. The materials will look similar but will have enough of a visual difference to appear as an addition rather than part of the original design. 4.4. Size and Scale of Additions The scale of the proposed addition is compatible with the main house. Floor-to-ceiling height will be roughly the same, and will be at the far rear of the existing structure. There are no concerns about overwhelming the ample size of the original building. 5 – 3 Summary The project meets some of the applicable standards. Department Comments This application will time out on October 19, 2026. The property was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. While the property is not located within the Hyde Park National Register district, it is withing the City of Austin local historic district, and was reviewed according to the district’s design standards. Property Evaluation The property contributes to the Hyde Park Historic District and is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Architectural Review Committee Feedback May 13, 2026: Proposal to insulate and install a vapor barrier may be difficult to do without significantly altering the view of the building from the street, due to the increased wall depth. Retention of lap siding should be prioritized in any alterations to the walls. Retain the second porch door on the ground floor in place and make it nonfunctional, if removal of one entryway is desired, rather than removing the door material and infilling. Staff Recommendation Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness in concurrence with Architectural Review Committee feedback. Location Map 5 – 4 Property Information Photos 5 – 5 Site visit, July 2026 5 – 6 Ramsey House, 1976. The Portal to Hexas History. Sanborn map, 1922, with subject property located within red box. Note the greenhouse to the south and Ramsey’s Nursery to the north, across W. 8th St. (now W. 45th St.) Occupancy History City Directory Research, July 2026 5 – 7 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 1916 1914 1912 1909 1906 1903 1900 Fred & Birdie Sturdivant, owners; manager at Mid-Tex Dairy Supply Co. Same as above Same as above Same as above, with Vera Sturdivant, nurse Riley Meeker, owner Riley & Mae Meeker, owners; Chamber of Commerce Frank & Dell Hopkins, owners; bartender at Longhorn Tavern; with Winton & Trilby Hoerman, renters Fred & Mae Young, owners; State Liquor Control Board Same as above Vacant Frank Taylor Ramsey, owner; President of Ramsey’s Austin Nursery Same as above Same as above, with Jason Nunn, renter (rear apartment) Frank & Belle Ramsey, owners; same employment as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Historical Information 5 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Dec 1932: 1. 5 – 9 Sturdivant, F B.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 06 Oct 1965: A4. Permits Sewer tap permit, August 1920