• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TOWERS

Austin city life since 2007.

  • News
    • Condo Projects
    • Neighborhoods
  • Listings
    • Austin Condo Guide
  • Newsletter
Search
You are here: Home / News / 12-Story Hilton Hotel Tower Could Rise From Historic 1880s Austin Building
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

12-Story Hilton Hotel Tower Could Rise From Historic 1880s Austin Building

James Rambin February 24, 2020 Comment

Images: MCS Architects / McAllister & Associates

This evening, Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission will hear the details of a proposed 12-story tower addition to the historic Bartholomew-Robinson Building at the southeast corner of West 15th and Lavaca Streets downtown. The project would seemingly integrate elements of the existing single-story building, which dates back to the 1880s, into the new structure’s ground floor, while raising a tower for “micro-hotel” brand Motto by Hilton above the 0.14-acre tract at 1415 Lavaca Street.

Information regarding the development’s associated firms is scarce beyond its Hilton branding and architecture by Houston-based firm MCS, but these documents also appear to name Houston real estate figure William Franks, who has completed similar adaptive reuse projects for historic buildings in that market — including a few hotels.

Image: MCS Architects

Presentation documents for tonight’s meeting include the exterior images seen above along with floor plans for the project, which indicate that the 159-room hotel’s lobby would occupy the ground level of the existing building, with its main entrance facing Lavaca Street. The second floor of the hotel tower would contain a bar and restaurant space, with some of the old building’s roof serving as outdoor patio seating.

On the left in the image above is a ground floor plan for the project, showing its integration with the existing historic structure. The images on the top and bottom right respectively show plans for the second floor, which contains a restaurant and bar; and the third to 12th floors, which contain the hotel’s 159 guest rooms. Click for a larger view. Images: MCS Architects

The building also doesn’t seem to contain any parking, which allows the developer to really max out the limited square footage available due to its location falling within the Capitol Dominance Overlay District surrounding the Texas Capitol Complex — meaning it probably can’t rise any higher than its 12 floors even if we all wanted it to.

An aerial view of the building at West 15th and Lavaca Streets, with its empty southern half visible. Image: Bing Maps

Like many projects of this variety, it’s unclear from these documents exactly how much of the existing structure would be preserved beyond its exterior facade. Still, this particular historic building, currently occupied by the headquarters of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, seems actually kind of well-suited for this sort of adaptation — after more than a century of various tenants and assorted renovations, the structure’s southern half is just an empty shell at the moment. 

An illustration of the Bartholomew-Robinson Building, at the time owned by grocer John Wayland, from an 1887 edition of the Austin American-Statesman. The scale seems to be a little off, but otherwise it’s pretty accurate! Image: Austin History Center

The building’s unusual history goes way back. First built as a stone house in 1883, it was massively expanded with the addition of its three distinctive corner towers around 1886, making it one of Austin’s few representations of the so-called Second Empire style of architecture — though you’ll find another example a few blocks down at 1802 Lavaca Street. Over the considerable decades since, its tenants have included a feed store, oyster bar, and comedy club, to name only a few.

After the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association purchased the building in 1995, ostensibly to protect it from potential demolition, the organization began an extensive restoration project, footage of which is available on YouTube, oddly enough — you’ll notice even this quiet corner of downtown looked a little different back then:

Considering our limited information at the moment, tonight’s meeting will hopefully provide us with a better understanding of what the hotel project could bring to the northwest district of downtown — which has quite a lot going on right now.

UPDATE: The Commission isn’t a big fan of this project, to say the least. We’ll have to keep an eye on this one as it moves forward.

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $699,000 48 East Avenue #3107
    Austin, TX
  • $675,000 222 West Avenue #1003
    Austin, TX
  • $649,863 555 E 5th Street #819
    Austin, TX
  • $5,560,500 555 E 5th Street #3006
    Austin, TX
  • $599,900 54 Rainey Street #1220
    Austin, TX
  • $1,575,000 301 West Avenue #2008
    Austin, TX
  • $465,000 507 Sabine Street #306
    Austin, TX
  • $2,500,000 301 West Avenue #3705
    Austin, TX
  • $814,999 54 Rainey Street #414
    Austin, TX
  • $2,800,000 210 Lavaca Street #2103
    Austin, TX
  • $1,750,000 48 East Avenue #3201
    Austin, TX
  • $1,300,000 48 East Avenue #1210
    Austin, TX
  • $865,000 48 SE East Avenue #2508
    Austin, TX
  • $15,750,000 200 Congress Avenue #54GP
    Austin, TX
  • $875,000 360 Nueces Street #1216
    Austin, TX
48 East Avenue #3107
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #3107, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3904281)
$699,000
Lot Size
57 sqft

Home Size
198,329 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

222 West Avenue #1003
Austin, TX
Photo of 222  West Avenue #1003, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8745024)
$675,000
Lot Size
197 sqft

Home Size
678 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

555 E 5th Street #819
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #819, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8758987)
$649,863
Lot Size
105 sqft

Home Size
1,017 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

555 E 5th Street #3006
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3006, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3470018)
$5,560,500
Lot Size
532 sqft

Home Size
5,055 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

54 Rainey Street #1220
Austin, TX
Photo of 54  Rainey Street #1220, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9400800)
$599,900
Lot Size
175 sqft

Home Size
750 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

301 West Avenue #2008
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #2008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4253998)
$1,575,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,325 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

507 Sabine Street #306
Austin, TX
Photo of 507  Sabine Street #306, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2966549)
$465,000
Lot Size
136 sqft

Home Size
877 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

301 West Avenue #3705
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #3705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9254152)
$2,500,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,830 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

54 Rainey Street #414
Austin, TX
Photo of 54  Rainey Street #414, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5984631)
$814,999
Lot Size
305 sqft

Home Size
1,164 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

210 Lavaca Street #2103
Austin, TX
Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2620849)
$2,800,000
Lot Size
170 sqft

Home Size
2,162 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

48 East Avenue #3201
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #3201, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6386893)
$1,750,000
Lot Size
109 sqft

Home Size
1,299 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

48 East Avenue #1210
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1210, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9504201)
$1,300,000
Lot Size
105 sqft

Home Size
1,277 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

48 SE East Avenue #2508
Austin, TX
Photo of 48 SE East Avenue #2508, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8722079)
$865,000
Lot Size
66 sqft

Home Size
803 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

200 Congress Avenue #54GP
Austin, TX
Photo of 200  Congress Avenue #54GP, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2267558)
$15,750,000
Lot Size
349 sqft

Home Size
4,465 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

360 Nueces Street #1216
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1216, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6124051)
$875,000
Lot Size
131 sqft

Home Size
1,117 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

  • 48 East Avenue #3107
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #3107, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3904281)
    $699,000
    Lot Size
    57 sqft

    Home Size
    198,329 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 222 West Avenue #1003
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 222  West Avenue #1003, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8745024)
    $675,000
    Lot Size
    197 sqft

    Home Size
    678 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 555 E 5th Street #819
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 555 E 5th Street #819, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8758987)
    $649,863
    Lot Size
    105 sqft

    Home Size
    1,017 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 555 E 5th Street #3006
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3006, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3470018)
    $5,560,500
    Lot Size
    532 sqft

    Home Size
    5,055 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 54 Rainey Street #1220
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 54  Rainey Street #1220, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9400800)
    $599,900
    Lot Size
    175 sqft

    Home Size
    750 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 301 West Avenue #2008
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 301  West Avenue #2008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4253998)
    $1,575,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,325 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 507 Sabine Street #306
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 507  Sabine Street #306, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2966549)
    $465,000
    Lot Size
    136 sqft

    Home Size
    877 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 301 West Avenue #3705
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 301  West Avenue #3705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9254152)
    $2,500,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,830 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 54 Rainey Street #414
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 54  Rainey Street #414, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5984631)
    $814,999
    Lot Size
    305 sqft

    Home Size
    1,164 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 210 Lavaca Street #2103
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2620849)
    $2,800,000
    Lot Size
    170 sqft

    Home Size
    2,162 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 48 East Avenue #3201
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #3201, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6386893)
    $1,750,000
    Lot Size
    109 sqft

    Home Size
    1,299 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 48 East Avenue #1210
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #1210, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9504201)
    $1,300,000
    Lot Size
    105 sqft

    Home Size
    1,277 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 48 SE East Avenue #2508
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48 SE East Avenue #2508, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8722079)
    $865,000
    Lot Size
    66 sqft

    Home Size
    803 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 200 Congress Avenue #54GP
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 200  Congress Avenue #54GP, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2267558)
    $15,750,000
    Lot Size
    349 sqft

    Home Size
    4,465 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 360 Nueces Street #1216
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1216, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6124051)
    $875,000
    Lot Size
    131 sqft

    Home Size
    1,117 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Next
 

Related

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 78701, adaptive reuse, development, historic preservation, hotels, towers

About James Rambin

James is an Austin native, but tries not to brag about it. Email him anything at james@towers.net.

48 SE East Avenue #2508
Austin, TX
Photo of 48 SE East Avenue #2508, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8722079)
$865,000
33
  • Lot Size
    66 sqft

  • Home Size
    803 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
Previous Post: « Seeking Love and Liberty at Austin’s 1970s Clothing-Optional Apartments
Next Post: Here’s a Shiny New View of the Travis Apartment Tower Bound for Rainey »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

Featured Buildings

  • 360 Condos
  • Austin City Lofts
  • The Independent
  • The Shore Condos
  • 70 Rainey

FEATURED Listings

5924 S Congress Avenue #12
Austin, TX
Photo of 5924 S Congress Avenue #12, Austin, TX 78745 (MLS # 8592590)
$599,000
37
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,608 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    4 Baths

View Virtual Tour
70 Rainey Street #1408
Austin, TX
Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1408, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2400059)
$1,995,000
39
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,434 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
360 Nueces Street #1216
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1216, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6124051)
$875,000
36
  • Lot Size
    131 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,117 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
1700 Ullrich Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 1700  Ullrich Avenue, Austin, TX 78756 (MLS # 6581028)
$695,170
27
  • Lot Size
    6,709 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,066 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

3205 Holton Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3205  Holton Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2917084)
$1,850,000
34
  • Lot Size
    7,062 sqft

  • Home Size
    2,571 sqft

  • Beds
    4 Beds

  • Baths
    4 Baths

48 East Avenue #1608
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1608, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9928914)
$825,000
10
  • Lot Size
    17,904 sqft

  • Home Size
    803 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

austin condo report

Footer

LEGAL NOTICE

TREC Information About Brokerage Services (pdf)

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice


TOWERS realty

Austin Condos For Sale

Agents

Downtown Buildings

Luxury Towers

  • Four Seasons Residences
  • W Hotel & Residences
  • The Austonian
  • 5 Fifty Five at Hilton

Most Popular

  • The Shore
  • 360 Condos
  • Seaholm Condos
  • Spring Condos
  • Milago Condos

New Construction

  • The Independent
  • 70 Rainey
  • Austin Proper
  • Fifth & West

Loft Style

  • Austin City Lofts
  • Brazos Place
  • The Sabine
  • Plaza Lofts
  • Avenue Lofts
  • Brazos Lofts
  • Brown Building

Resources

  • Austin Condo Guide
  • Condos For Sale
  • Condo Buyer FAQ
  • Property Search

Featured

Archives

Austin city life since 2007 · Newsletter · About · Contact Us · DMCA · Privacy Policy · SLAPP · Copyright © 2007-2022 TOWERS.net · All Rights Reserved
 

Loading Comments...