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A 48-story office tower that will include a public plaza, restaurants and retail is set to break ground in the coming weeks across from Republic Square.
Known as The Republic, the building has secured its first major tenant who developers say will have an opening to a full block of park space and a private terrace on each office floor.
The developer, Lincoln Property, boasted about how the building will allow visitors to be “immersed in the beauty of our city.”
“The building represents Austin’s spirit and dynamic lifestyle—and we believe The Republic will be a modern hub for top talent,” said Seth Johnston, Senior Vice President of Lincoln Property.
Office space downtown has been booming this year as workers return to the office at a growing pace. The Republic’s developer’s noted that the tower is prime for a new corporate headquarters or companies looking to expand to the capital city. As Austin carries its reputation as a tech hub, developers are also eying certain designs that are high in light and nature to draw tenants.
The Republic will feature a 19th floor amenity level with indoor and outdoor space that includes conference rooms, fitness center and spin room, club room with a lounge and bar and an outdoor terrace covered by shade canopies. Plus “sweeping views” of Lady Bird Lake.
The building’s developers noted the downtown grid was established when Austin’s first land lots were sold at Republic Square in 1839. Their way of building on that legacy is through the green public plaza that will act as an extension of the park.
More amenities include those for bikers, who will have access to a private elevator that leads to a secure storage space for 350 bicycles and a spa-quality locker room with showers.
Lincoln, headquartered in Dallas with offices in Austin, has had a downtown focus with projects like Sixth and Guadalupe, 5th + Colorado and 100 Congress. Along with co-developer Phoenix Property Company, Lincoln partnered with San Francisco-based DivcoWest on this latest tower.
DivcoWest Senior Managing Director Michael Provost said this project was particularly compelling given the park and outdoor amenity space.
“DivcoWest continues to make Austin a key part of its long-term investment strategy given the city’s tremendous job and population growth, ability to attract a talented workforce, and long-term focus on sustainability and green space,” Provost said.
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Historic preservationists, for their part, overwhelmingly support historic zoning, which would preserve the buildings in perpetuity. The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously voted to initiate historic zoning in July, citing architectural significance, landscape features and association to historic figures. City staffers recommend historic zoning, calling both structures one-of-a-kind examples of vernacular architecture.
Tarrytown neighbors have also banded together to stop the demolition. Many have written letters, and a few spoke at the meeting. “How could anyone buy this property with the intent of destroying it?” Ila Falvey said. “I think it’s an architectural treasure.”
Michael Whellan, an attorney representing the property owner, said that the claims made by preservationists are shaky. The buildings are run down, he said, and have had substantial renovations. A structural engineer hired by the owner said any attempt at preservation would involve tearing down and rebuilding – an undertaking Whellan said would likely cost millions.
Whellan also argued that any historical significance derived from the property’s association with Delisle and longtime owner C.H. Slator is dubious. “These men are not noted for any civic, philanthropic or historic impact,” he said.
What’s more, according to Whellan, Slator likely participated in segregation as the owner of the Tavern on North Lamar Boulevard between 1953 and 1960.
A city staffer, however, said she found no evidence to support the claim. “We would never landmark a property where a segregationist lived, or there was a racist person,” Kimberly Collins with the Historic Preservation Office said.
Commissioner Awais Azhar couldn’t support historic zoning in part due to lingering uncertainty about Slator. “Focusing on that factor is not here to disparage an individual or family. It is not about playing the race card. This is an important assertion for us to consider as Planning commissioners,” Azhar said.
Commissioner Carmen Llanes Pulido said that allegations of racism should come as no surprise. “We’re talking about white male property owners in the 1950s, in Austin, on the west side – and of course they were racist,” she said. But she argued that allowing the house to be demolished based on these grounds does nothing to help people of color who have been harmed by racism and segregation.
The question of tax breaks was also controversial. Michael Gaudini, representing the property owner, said that the tax breaks associated with historic zoning would exacerbate inequality by shifting property tax burdens to less affluent communities. City staffers estimate that the property, appraised at $3.5 million, would get either a $8,500 or $16,107 property tax break annually, depending on whether a homestead exemption is applied.
Commissioner Grayson Cox preferred the commission focus not on tax breaks but on whether the structures merit preservation. “To me, nothing in the historic preservation criteria lists, is this person deserving of a tax break or not?”
Azhar, on the other hand, said he plans to propose a code amendment getting rid of city property tax breaks for historic properties.
The commission fell one vote short of recommending historic zoning, with six commissioners in support and three opposed. Azhar and commissioners Claire Hempel and Greg Anderson voted against.
The odds of City Council zoning over an owner’s wishes are slim. Nine out of 11 members must vote in favor, and there have only been a handful of such cases over the past several decades.
