City staff are stepping in to put the remains of a former Texas Historic Landmark in South Austin out of its misery, after decades of neglect have left the 173 year old ruins a threat to public safety. The structure at 6706 Bluff Springs Road, which was once home to prominent political figures at the […]
Historic Landmark Commission
The city’s Historic Landmark Commission promotes historic preservation of buildings and structures. The commission also reviews applications and permits for historic zoning and historic grants.
Posted inPreservation
Judges Hill home poised for property tax break in exchange for landmark zoning
Another 20th century home just north of downtown is poised to join Austin’s ranks of landmarked residences, with Historic Landmark Commissioners voting last week to initiate the site’s historic zoning. The San Gabriel Street home was built in 1927 by the prolific Edwin Kreisle, whose architectural legacy remains on display at sites like Fulmore Middle […]
Posted inPreservation
City’s Heritage Preservation Grant program to be retooled for upcoming fiscal year
The city’s Heritage Preservation Grant program will look a little different this year, with plans to undergo a “creative reset” under the leadership of Austin’s brand new Office of Arts, Music, Culture, and Entertainment. Last year, the program awarded $3,590,765 in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to 22 select projects at historic sites that ranged in […]
Posted inParks
City makes initial moves for Palm Park makeover with Shelter House restoration
Plans to restore the 92-year-old Palm Park Shelter House cleared an administrative hurdle last week, laying the groundwork for a forthcoming project that will see it fold into a brand new urban park in Downtown Austin. Earlier this month, Historic Landmark Commissioners voted unanimously to initiate historic zoning on the site, which currently belongs to […]
Posted inPlanning
From 11th street and beyond, Rally Austin is blazing trails to keep the city’s arts scene alive
Plans to revitalize two acres of city-owned land on East 11th Street are finally materializing, as Austin’s Economic Development Corporation makes moves to get brand new mixed-use developments up and running by 2028. Bound by Franklin’s Barbecue to the west and Victory Grill to the east, the project is slated to bring space for local […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic survey of downtown Austin nears completion
Austin’s Preservation Office is poised to complete its Historic Resources Survey of the downtown area by the end of the year, wrapping up years of work documenting sites of cultural interest. Preservation Office Planner Sofia Wagner met with Historic Landmark Commission members earlier this month for a progress update on the project, which to date […]
Posted inPreservation
Plans to demolish Highland Park home with links to Commodore Perry faces backlash from neighbors
The owners of a West Austin property formerly home to the grandson of Edgar Howard “Commodore” Perry may find their plans to make way for new construction prove more challenging than expected. Last week, the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously to postpone the request to demolish the midcentury modern residence, which owners claim would take […]
Posted inPreservation
Burnet Middle School on track for head-to-toe modernization project
A major glow-up is on the horizon for Burnet Middle School, with plans for a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility poised to break ground this summer. The Historic Landmark Commission got a rundown on the $158 million project last week when a permit to demolish the school’s existing digs in North Central Austin made its way to […]
Posted inPreservation
City releases short list for 2025 Heritage Preservation Grant
Bids for the city’s Heritage Preservation Grant are in, and staffers are circling in on the lucky landmarks deemed worthy to snag a slice of the pie. Heritage Tourism Division Manager Melissa Alvarado stopped by last week’s meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission to run through the short list of recommendees, each with their own […]
Posted inPreservation
On the verge of demolition, neighborhood seeks recognition for Holy Cross Hospital
Recent history has given us little reason to take note of 2600 E. MLK Blvd., where for decades a vacant concrete building has served largely as a canvas for graffiti. But before it was scenery, Austinites traveled miles to visit, pursuing the latest breakthroughs in radiation treatment for cancer patients. The former Capital Area Research […]
Posted inPreservation
Landmark commission strikes compromise on former summer camp
In a departure from its typical focus, the Historic Landmark Commission voted to preserve a local landmark without focusing on its architecture at all. Instead, commissioners voted unanimously to preserve a portion of a former summer camp in Northwest Hills, based on its community value, landscape features and archaeology. The property, which is located at […]
Posted inPreservation
Landmark commission says goodbye to Nau’s Enfield Drug
All good things must come to an end, and the time has come for Nau’s Enfield Drug to join the souls of bygone local staples in the mixed-use afterlife. But first, the Historic Landmark Commission hopes the site’s new stewards can pay the Austin legacy its due homage. The beloved tenant, which held strong for […]