• 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 / Demolition Approved at West Sixth Sushi Bar, Making Way for 60 Floors
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

Demolition Approved at West Sixth Sushi Bar, Making Way for 60 Floors

James Rambin May 1, 2020 Comment

An illustration of the 311 West Sixth Street building from a 1986 Austin American-Statesman ad for Beans Restaurant & Bar, which occupied the space at the time. Image: Austin History Center

The 60-story downtown Austin apartment and office tower planned at 321 West Sixth Street by banking outfit BBVA USA and national developer Ryan Companies is one step closer to breaking ground at its 0.47-acre site on the southeast corner of West Sixth and Guadalupe Streets, despite a few setbacks on the national stage making the timing of that groundbreaking unclear for the moment.

A rendering of the BBVA tower from its architects at local firm Page. Image: Page

At its monthly meeting held earlier this week via Zoom with only a few technical difficulties, the City of Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission approved the demolition of a 1927 structure occupying a small part of the future tower’s footprint at 311 West Sixth Street. That 4,794-square-foot structure, though its charming and partially ivy-covered brick facades feel right at home for the north edge of the city’s historically-interesting Warehouse District, isn’t actually historic — at least not officially speaking. Turns out it’s just old.

This is good news for the (very narrow!) BBVA tower, and terrible news for fans of Maiko Sushi Lounge, which has occupied the building since 2005, the last of a string of eateries operating out of the space since the 1930s — before then, it was a Maytag appliance store. Its most prominent tenant was Italian restaurant and deli Caruso’s Cafe, which operated from 1931 until its owner Pasquale Caruso’s death in 1966.

An Austin American-Statesman ad for Caruso’s Cafe dating back to November 1935. Image: Austin History Center

Among other reasons for its lack of eligibility for historic designation, it turns out the building’s been messed with a little too much in recent years to its detriment — though you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell from the street, the western half is actually an addition dating back only a few decades at most, designed to match the rest of the structure by looking older than it is. The facade of the truly old part of the building is heavily modified with glass and steel to become the restaurant’s front window, and even though its upgrades look really good, that’s also not great news:

The building is a one-story brick commercial building with some ornamental brickwork in the raised bricks forming patterns in the storefront and the stepped parapet wall; however, the storefront has been modified with the installation of a modern metal-framed window and door system. The building reflects a common type and does not appear to have the architectural distinction to qualify as a historic landmark.

— Historic Landmark Commission Staff Comments, April 27, 2020

The ivy currently growing over basically the entire brick crown of the old section’s facade hides a lot, but you can see the ornamental brickwork better from this street view below taken back in 2014, when someone cleared it off for a bit — the ivy, not prone to messing around, has since grown back to its current density on the building.

Even if it’s not historic historic, it’s a structure with character far exceeding the bank next door that will also be demolished for the sake of this new project — and even if it hurts a little, losing the 1927 building in favor of the BBVA tower is worth it if it means we can also banish a land use as embarrassingly inefficient as a single-story drive-thru bank on a major corner in the middle of downtown. Wouldn’t feel right to have something like that sitting directly across the intersection from the new tallest tower in the city — it would be like an Arby’s sitting next door to the Independent. Now we just need to hit the post office across the street with the world’s largest wrecking ball.

An aerial view of the BBVA tower site at the southeastern corner of West Sixth and Guadalupe Streets. Image: Bing Maps

Though there isn’t a set date for the demolition at this point, its application documents indicate the old building can come down once the BBVA tower’s site plan is approved by the city — and that process is ongoing, though it’s unclear exactly how a recession could impact the timeline of the tower’s construction even after its plan is approved. Depending on what happens to local development over the next few months, a big national outfit like Ryan Companies might have an easier time keeping the wheels spinning on this project, but trying to predict anything at the moment runs the risk of making you look kinda goofy somewhere down the road.

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $798,500 44 East Avenue #3008
    Austin, TX
  • $925,000 44 East Avenue #3807
    Austin, TX
  • $1,450,000 44 East Avenue #1801
    Austin, TX
  • $1,100,000 44 East Avenue #3806
    Austin, TX
  • $1,678,000 44 East Avenue #1705
    Austin, TX
  • $1,325,000 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
    Austin, TX
  • $550,000 44 East Avenue #1706
    Austin, TX
  • $775,000 507 Sabine Street #601
    Austin, TX
  • $620,000 360 Nueces Street #3603
    Austin, TX
  • $689,000 48 East Avenue #1805
    Austin, TX
  • $399,900 507 Sabine Street #610
    Austin, TX
  • $825,000 501 West Avenue #902
    Austin, TX
  • $789,000 603 Davis Street #2204
    Austin, TX
  • $2,195,000 200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
    Austin, TX
  • $3,499,000 555 E 5th Street #3022
    Austin, TX
44 East Avenue #3008
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9263373)
$798,500
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
793 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #3807
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9478216)
$925,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
796 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #1801
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1801, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6063062)
$1,450,000
Lot Size
436 sqft

Home Size
1,293 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #3806
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3806, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3473113)
$1,100,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
796 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #1705
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3481599)
$1,678,000
Lot Size
96 sqft

Home Size
1,228 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
Austin, TX
Photo of 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8389452)
$1,325,000
Lot Size
1,961 sqft

Home Size
2,536 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

44 East Avenue #1706
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1706, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9713307)
$550,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
538 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

507 Sabine Street #601
Austin, TX
Photo of 507  Sabine Street #601, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2247550)
$775,000
Lot Size
227 sqft

Home Size
1,454 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

360 Nueces Street #3603
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #3603, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9821046)
$620,000
Lot Size
101 sqft

Home Size
728 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

48 East Avenue #1805
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1805, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3084952)
$689,000
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
706 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

507 Sabine Street #610
Austin, TX
Photo of 507  Sabine Street #610, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3840458)
$399,900
Lot Size
88 sqft

Home Size
682 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

501 West Avenue #902
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #902, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5145779)
$825,000
Lot Size
53 sqft

Home Size
846 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

603 Davis Street #2204
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #2204, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5168358)
$789,000
Lot Size
175 sqft

Home Size
1,193 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
Austin, TX
Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #21E, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2415787)
$2,195,000
Lot Size
131 sqft

Home Size
1,918 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

555 E 5th Street #3022
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
$3,499,000
Lot Size
393 sqft

Home Size
3,638 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3008
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9263373)
    $798,500
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    793 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3807
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9478216)
    $925,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    796 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1801
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1801, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6063062)
    $1,450,000
    Lot Size
    436 sqft

    Home Size
    1,293 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3806
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3806, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3473113)
    $1,100,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    796 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1705
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3481599)
    $1,678,000
    Lot Size
    96 sqft

    Home Size
    1,228 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8389452)
    $1,325,000
    Lot Size
    1,961 sqft

    Home Size
    2,536 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1706
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1706, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9713307)
    $550,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    538 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 507 Sabine Street #601
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 507  Sabine Street #601, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2247550)
    $775,000
    Lot Size
    227 sqft

    Home Size
    1,454 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 360 Nueces Street #3603
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces Street #3603, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9821046)
    $620,000
    Lot Size
    101 sqft

    Home Size
    728 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 48 East Avenue #1805
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #1805, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3084952)
    $689,000
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    706 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 507 Sabine Street #610
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 507  Sabine Street #610, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3840458)
    $399,900
    Lot Size
    88 sqft

    Home Size
    682 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 501 West Avenue #902
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #902, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5145779)
    $825,000
    Lot Size
    53 sqft

    Home Size
    846 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 603 Davis Street #2204
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 603  Davis Street #2204, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5168358)
    $789,000
    Lot Size
    175 sqft

    Home Size
    1,193 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #21E, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2415787)
    $2,195,000
    Lot Size
    131 sqft

    Home Size
    1,918 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 555 E 5th Street #3022
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
    $3,499,000
    Lot Size
    393 sqft

    Home Size
    3,638 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

Previous Next
 

Editor's Suggested Posts

Current Events Aside, Downtown Austin's BBVA Tower Plan Is Extremely Narrow

Current Events Aside, Downtown Austin's BBVA Tower Plan Is Extremely Narrow

A Second Tower Project's Headed Downtown at Sixth and Guadalupe

A Second Tower Project's Headed Downtown at Sixth and Guadalupe

Downtown Austin's Extended Stay America is Finally Coming Down

Downtown Austin's Extended Stay America is Finally Coming Down

Related

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 78701, apartments, architecture, city life, design, development, historic preservation, history, offices, retail, towers

About James Rambin

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

300 Bowie Street #703
Austin, TX
Photo of 300  Bowie Street #703, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 1326444)
$699,980
31
  • Lot Size
    101 sqft

  • Home Size
    983 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
Previous Post: « Inside the ‘Very Sensitive’ Renovation of East Austin’s Uptown Sports Club
Next Post: Turning Buford Tower Into a Tiny Hotel Is the Wild Idea Downtown Austin Needs »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

FEATURED Listings

555 E 5th Street #725
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #725, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9482800)
$545,000
20
  • Lot Size
    88 sqft

  • Home Size
    817 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
555 E 5th Street #3022
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
$3,499,000
24
  • Lot Size
    393 sqft

  • Home Size
    3,638 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

300 Bowie Street #703
Austin, TX
Photo of 300  Bowie Street #703, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 1326444)
$699,980
31
  • Lot Size
    101 sqft

  • Home Size
    983 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
619 Tillery Street #B
Austin, TX
Photo of 619  Tillery Street #B, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 4009706)
$839,619
30
  • Lot Size
    3,050 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,796 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

44 East Avenue #3103
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2986314)
$695,000
40
  • Lot Size
    436 sqft

  • Home Size
    618 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

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

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

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

Loading Comments...