• 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 / Blog / Turning Buford Tower Into a Tiny Hotel Is the Wild Idea Downtown Austin Needs
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

Turning Buford Tower Into a Tiny Hotel Is the Wild Idea Downtown Austin Needs

James Rambin May 5, 2020 Comment

Buford Tower, located in downtown Austin at 201 West Cesar Chavez Street. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Though it’s not the only mysterious tiny tower in Austin, the historic downtown structure known as Buford Tower is certainly our most visible, standing six floors at the intersection of West Cesar Chavez and Colorado Streets on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Originally built in 1930 and used as a drill facility for the city’s fire department until its decommissioning in 1974, the building now serves as a bell tower, sounding out the hours plus Christmas carols in December with an automated chime system. 

Despite its utility for telling the time, the tower itself is closed to the public, the interior not much more than a concrete shell compared with its lovely Italianate brick appearance outside. That doesn’t sit right with local designer Marcus Triest, who imagines the city-owned space with a finished interior working quite well as a single-unit boutique hotel, which could generate income for local affordable housing and homelessness initiatives. The unconventional use of urban spaces might as well be this site’s brand, so we’re naturally interested in the idea — let’s take a look:

Image: Marcus Triest / tinyarchitect.org

Triest’s conversion concept, as seen in the plans above and renderings below, would convert all six floors of the tower into one hotel room, and in this configuration it’s surprisingly spacious. His plan contains an entry level, kitchen, bathroom with extra sleeping space, living room with yet another bed, master bedroom, and a covered rooftop patio in the structure’s open-air crown.

Current estimates suggest Buford Tower costs the City of Austin around $2,500 – $5,000 a year in maintenance and restorations. By renting it out 240 nights a year with the suggested donation of $600/night the new Buford Tower can raise $100,000 a year for affordable housing projects.

The $150,000 – $200,000 needed for renovation would be raised through charitable auctions for future night’s stays and through corporate partners and their donations.

— Buford Tower hotel concept

Images: Marcus Triest / tinyarchitect.org

Triest says he thinks that even if the city doesn’t care to open the tower to the public, the concept is a good “thought exercise” for evaluating how existing spaces in cities — spaces, he says, that we may not even notice — could be adapted or redesigned to increase their benefit to the communities around them, with revenue generation for housing as a pleasant silver lining in Buford Tower’s case. We’re sure plenty of Austinites would book a night in the tower if they knew the money was going straight to these causes, not to mention the bragging rights and Instagram photos you’d get out of the deal.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Eddie Rodriguez (@eddiierod) on Jul 1, 2018 at 7:07pm PDT

Austin’s 17 percent Hotel Occupancy Tax already funds homelessness relief efforts in town, but converting interesting city-owned structures into unconventional rental properties for additional revenue generation — even temporarily — is a fun idea just the same. Our post-pandemic world is bound to be pretty weird, so why not lean in? Imagine an event or hotel space at the former Seaholm intake facility or long-neglected Norwood Estate and you start to get the picture — though we might be some of the only people who would enjoy a night in the Zilker Park fallout shelter. 

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $2,390,000 501 West Avenue #3504
    Austin, TX
  • $4,990,000 44 East Avenue #4804
    Austin, TX
  • $2,500,000 311 W 5th Street #803
    Austin, TX
  • $2,175,000 200 CONGRESS Avenue #15F
    Austin, TX
  • $3,500,000 202 Nueces Street #2101
    Austin, TX
  • $4,250,000 202 Nueces Street #2306
    Austin, TX
  • $3,500,000 501 West Avenue #3701
    Austin, TX
  • $669,000 360 Nueces Street #1907
    Austin, TX
  • $1,325,000 44 East Avenue #3304
    Austin, TX
  • $1,775,000 301 West Avenue #3703
    Austin, TX
  • $1,150,000 800 W 5th Street #302
    Austin, TX
  • $610,000 1812 West Avenue #307
    Austin, TX
  • $1,599,000 222 West Avenue #1511
    Austin, TX
  • $580,000 70 Rainey Street #1403
    Austin, TX
  • $559,000 40 N Interstate 35 N #3C1
    Austin, TX
501 West Avenue #3504
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #3504, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9522632)
$2,390,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,009 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

44 East Avenue #4804
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #4804, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6829683)
$4,990,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,234 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

311 W 5th Street #803
Austin, TX
Photo of 311 W 5th Street #803, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5816720)
$2,500,000
Lot Size
301 sqft

Home Size
2,361 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

200 CONGRESS Avenue #15F
Austin, TX
Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #15F, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 1413243)
$2,175,000
Lot Size
131 sqft

Home Size
1,926 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

202 Nueces Street #2101
Austin, TX
Photo of 202  Nueces Street #2101, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3856087)
$3,500,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,068 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

202 Nueces Street #2306
Austin, TX
Photo of 202  Nueces Street #2306, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4199667)
$4,250,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,143 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

501 West Avenue #3701
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #3701, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9638389)
$3,500,000
Lot Size
44 sqft

Home Size
2,517 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

360 Nueces Street #1907
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1907, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6847955)
$669,000
Lot Size
114 sqft

Home Size
852 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

44 East Avenue #3304
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3304, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9606950)
$1,325,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,172 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

301 West Avenue #3703
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #3703, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2115442)
$1,775,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,467 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

800 W 5th Street #302
Austin, TX
Photo of 800 W 5th Street #302, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 6183596)
$1,150,000
Lot Size
454 sqft

Home Size
1,907 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

1812 West Avenue #307
Austin, TX
Photo of 1812  West Avenue #307, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2241285)
$610,000
Lot Size
597 sqft

Home Size
1,362 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

222 West Avenue #1511
Austin, TX
Photo of 222  West Avenue #1511, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5493260)
$1,599,000
Lot Size
393 sqft

Home Size
1,374 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

70 Rainey Street #1403
Austin, TX
Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1403, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2486918)
$580,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
663 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

40 N Interstate 35 N #3C1
Austin, TX
Photo of 40 N Interstate 35  N #3C1, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 1290126)
$559,000
Lot Size
1,002 sqft

Home Size
1,288 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

  • 501 West Avenue #3504
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #3504, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9522632)
    $2,390,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,009 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #4804
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #4804, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6829683)
    $4,990,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,234 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 311 W 5th Street #803
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 311 W 5th Street #803, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5816720)
    $2,500,000
    Lot Size
    301 sqft

    Home Size
    2,361 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 200 CONGRESS Avenue #15F
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #15F, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 1413243)
    $2,175,000
    Lot Size
    131 sqft

    Home Size
    1,926 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 202 Nueces Street #2101
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 202  Nueces Street #2101, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3856087)
    $3,500,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,068 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 202 Nueces Street #2306
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 202  Nueces Street #2306, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4199667)
    $4,250,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,143 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 501 West Avenue #3701
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #3701, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9638389)
    $3,500,000
    Lot Size
    44 sqft

    Home Size
    2,517 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 360 Nueces Street #1907
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1907, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6847955)
    $669,000
    Lot Size
    114 sqft

    Home Size
    852 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 44 East Avenue #3304
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3304, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9606950)
    $1,325,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,172 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 301 West Avenue #3703
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 301  West Avenue #3703, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2115442)
    $1,775,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,467 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 800 W 5th Street #302
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 800 W 5th Street #302, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 6183596)
    $1,150,000
    Lot Size
    454 sqft

    Home Size
    1,907 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 1812 West Avenue #307
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1812  West Avenue #307, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2241285)
    $610,000
    Lot Size
    597 sqft

    Home Size
    1,362 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 222 West Avenue #1511
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 222  West Avenue #1511, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5493260)
    $1,599,000
    Lot Size
    393 sqft

    Home Size
    1,374 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 70 Rainey Street #1403
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1403, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2486918)
    $580,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    663 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 40 N Interstate 35 N #3C1
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 40 N Interstate 35  N #3C1, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 1290126)
    $559,000
    Lot Size
    1,002 sqft

    Home Size
    1,288 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Next
 

Editor's Suggested Posts

Pleasant Valley's 'Mini-Tower' in Southeast Austin Is No Mystery

Pleasant Valley's 'Mini-Tower' in Southeast Austin Is No Mystery

The Driskill Hotel's Rooftop 'Bungalow' is a Forgotten Austin Oddity

The Driskill Hotel's Rooftop 'Bungalow' is a Forgotten Austin Oddity

After 15 Years of Mueller, Its Iconic Control Tower Has Never Looked Better

After 15 Years of Mueller, Its Iconic Control Tower Has Never Looked Better

Related

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 78701, architecture, design, downtown austin, historic preservation, history, hotels

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.

301 West Avenue #1806
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #1806, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2246992)
$1,695,000
34
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,490 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Post: « Demolition Approved at West Sixth Sushi Bar, Making Way for 60 Floors
Next Post: Discover a Different Rainey Street in This Unearthed 1981 Documentary »

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

2305 Coronado Street #E
Austin, TX
Photo of 2305  Coronado Street #E, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 7596312)
$550,000
18
  • Lot Size
    1,394 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,252 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    2 Baths

608 Brentwood Street #A
Austin, TX
Photo of 608  Brentwood Street #A, Austin, TX 78752 (MLS # 3202099)
$989,608
33
  • Lot Size
    4,356 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,959 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

44 EAST Avenue #2310
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  EAST Avenue #2310, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9418770)
$1,425,000
40
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,260 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
360 Nueces Street #2710
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #2710, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8186211)
$619,900
39
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    770 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
70 Rainey Street #1403
Austin, TX
Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1403, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2486918)
$580,000
25
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    663 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...