Westgate tower takes step toward historic zoning

City Council gave first reading approval to historic zoning for the Westgate Tower at 1122 Colorado St. as part of the zoning consent agenda on Thursday. The Westgate, a physical landmark between the Capitol and University Tower, is considered an excellent example of New Formalism. It has been the home of numerous politicians and lobbyists over the years and still houses a variety of people interested in what goes on at the Texas Capitol.

The vote was unanimous, and there was no comment from Council.

Brian Evans, general manager of the Westgate, appeared before Council members to urge them to designate the structure, which was built by the architect Edward Durell Stone in 1965, an official city landmark. Evans, who was appointed by the Westgate Condominium Association to represent the building’s owners, said the historic designation is important so that the owners will not have to worry about the building being purchased and torn down.

While the Westgate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, the building’s residents are still seeking the reassurance of the city designation, which can mean a lower tax burden for the property owners.

Evans noted that many properties had been torn down and redeveloped “in our storied neighborhood, including the warehouse district. But in our opinion, this building does not need to be another large blue glass rectangular building like so many redeveloped properties have become. They lose that charm, character, feel of a bygone era. Though we have the other designations, they are honorary. We are seeking to make a commitment to the city to be good stewards of this site.”

Several years ago, the Historic Landmark Commission recommended historic zoning for the property. However, members of the Planning Commission focused on the tax breaks condominium owners might receive under a historic designation. As a result, they could not agree on a recommendation.

Evans said that the current owners will continue to invest in the property’s infrastructure to keep it operating long into the future. He said in a news release, “maintaining a historic structure is expensive. For more than five decades, the Westgate has taken meticulous care to not change the aesthetics of the building,” so that it remains a good example of a midcentury-modern building.

Resident Carson Berry, who wrote to Council asking for the historic zoning, said in his letter, “I ask that the City Council thinks about the owners who have dedicated the time and money preserving the Westgate thus far to ensure we keep an old part of Austin still standing for the public to admire. I ask that the City Council thinks of the owners who chose the Westgate as their home because they have admired the building and dreamed about living in this historic residence since they were kids growing up in Austin.”

Developer Richard Hardin was the only person to speak against historic zoning for the building. He was also the only one speaking against it at the Planning Commission. His attorney, Bill Aleshire, prepared a lengthy memo outlining deficiencies in the application for historic zoning.

Aleshire provided documentation showing that the owners of two of the property’s condominiums had failed to pay property taxes. He pointed out that one requirement for a historic designation is proof that property taxes have been paid. The Austin Monitor asked Evans about the two property owners. He would not comment on one who owes more than $40,000 to the Travis County tax assessor-collector. However, he said, the second property owner had sold their unit. According to county tax records, that unit is not in arrears.

However, Evans said it will be up to each condo owner to apply for historic status each year. Anyone who has not paid taxes will not be able to do so and won’t be eligible for the tax break.

Aleshire said the real battle will come next year when various property owners apply for historic zoning and the accompanying tax exemptions. He said he was concerned that somehow the decision on those exemptions would slip by unnoticed. Council is scheduled to vote on second and third reading on historic zoning for the property at this week’s meeting.

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Posted In: Preservation, District 9