A Restoration Project’s on the Way for the Historic Zilker Clubhouse

Photo by James Rambin

After 86 years of service and counting, the Zilker Clubhouse, one of Austin’s best examples of Depression-era public works architecture and sporting some of the most impressive skyline views west of MoPac, is bound for a well-deserved scrubbing. Though the current pandemic has delayed its design phase, a rehabilitation plan for the facility is officially in the works at the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department — and we might see our first look at what’s in store later this summer.

The Zilker Clubhouse around the time of its construction in 1934. Image: Austin History Center

The Zilker Clubhouse today. Photo by James Rambin

A single-story limestone pavilion designed by well-known local architect Charles Page and originally built for the Boy Scouts of America in 1934 by the Civil Works Administration, the structure’s perch at the highest point of Zilker Park is a popular spot for low-cost weddings — though reserving the city-owned venue through its lottery-style waiting list is apparently pretty difficult.

According to the Parks Department, any rehabilitation project at the Zilker Clubhouse must address a laundry list of deferred maintenance issues and other weak points, including a new roof, cleaning and repainting of exterior masonry, restoration of windows and doors, modifications for ADA accessibility, new outdoor lighting, and a fixed-up parking lot — it’s currently unpaved, if you haven’t been up there before. The structure, owing to its age, also currently lacks air conditioning, and the project will supposedly “explore the possibility” of installing an HVAC system. That’d be nice.

Objectives:

• Improve deteriorated conditions of the Clubhouse facility while preserving the historic character and the unique architectural details;
• Address accessibility and compliance code updates and systems upgrades (including a feasibility study regarding the installation of an HVAC system);
• Evaluate and enhance site use, wayfinding, interpretive information and parking;
• Meet sustainability goals by implementing sustainable building practices necessary to conserve energy, water and other natural resources, promote human health and safety, and enhance a high quality, enduring structure.

This project will benefit the community by retaining the site as an affordable rental venue, while enhancing the flexibility of the site to hold many types of group events.

— City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Photo by James Rambin

According to Ellen Colfax, a project coordinator at the Parks Department, the first step of the rehabilitation was to solicit input from Austinites who have previously rented the facility, to see how they would fix up the building based on their personal experiences — as you might imagine, air conditioning was one of the more popular ideas from the survey, though its respondents were sensitive to the notion of keeping the historic structure as original as possible even with these upgrades. 

The overall goal of the Charles Page Zilker Clubhouse Rehabilitation project will be to focus on the preservation and restoration of the building’s character-defining features, keeping in mind the topmost programmatic priority will be the flexibility of the site to host many types of groups and events, from weddings and parties to corporate or non-profit group events and retreats.  The scope of the project will also address accessibility issues, infrastructure upgrades and sustainability goals. Included in the design project are plans to restore the historic structural elements framing the view from nearby Lookout Point, to be implemented in a future construction phase.

— Ellen Colfax, Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Photo by James Rambin

The view from the Zilker Clubhouse photographed at an event in the 1940s. Image: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Another huge priority from the initial survey, and one we hope the city respects, is preserving the facility’s status as a low-cost public event venue. We’re talking $1,350 to rent the whole place for a day, and if you’ve ever planned a wedding you’re aware that’s insane — some respondents mentioned they might not have even been able to afford another wedding venue. We’d hate to lose that, even though the building is clearly in need of some work to keep things running for, say, the next 86 years.

So what’s next? Even with pandemic-related delays as city staffers continue to work from home, Colfax says PARD plans to hold a “virtual open house” to showcase the schematic design for the rehabilitation plan to the public, with the details and other info posted on the project’s website. The details, she says, are still being coordinated, but the virtual event is expected before the end of the summer. We’re looking forward to finding out what’s in store — after all, the view from up here gets better every year.

Photo by James Rambin

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