Architects, commercial contractors, and brokers gathered in the lobby of the newly modernized 1950’s downtown office building, the Perry Brooks building, for a tour of the 12 story structure ready to meet office space needs in the downtown Austin area. Structura, in collaboration with L. M. “Mac” Holder III, FAIA, owner of L.M. Holder and Associates, along with Capitol Commercial Investments and Transwestern Austin, organized the event.
Mac Holder recalled a story of the evolution of the building’s transformation “Early in the project’s beginning, construction of the site was slowed down by an unusual event. While working on the exterior, a red tailed hawk’s nest was found filled with bird eggs.The crew decided it best to wait for the eggs in the nest to hatch before they continued work, so as not to disturb natures work!” Only in Austin!
The Perry Brooks building, built by Commodore Edgar Perry after World War II, has been a part of the Austin skyscape since the 1950’s, having housed everything from a radio station to office space. It was once the tallest building in the downtown financial district. When Structura began work on the building early last year, there had been over $300,000 in damage to the outer bricking of the old skyscraper, the mechanical systems were shot, and the plumbing was woefully inadequate. “Also,” said Holder during the tour, “the building was loaded with asbestos. Now, we’re proud to say, the building is asbestos free.”
The lobby of the building was once used as unsightly office space. Now, it shines with granite walls and floors (according to Holder granite is far more durable than marble, with the same elegance in look) and brilliant chrome railings and window trims, all lit up by modern fixtures and mostly natural light through the Solarband 60 high glass windows. “These are the same windows that were used for the renovation in the Bergstrom Airport,” Holder pointed out.
The outer look of the building strikes quite a pose with interlocking metal panels covering its upper levels and giving the building an undeniable look of contemporary chic. With its 60,000 square ft. footprint, according to Rusty Morgan, the building is now far more energy efficient, as it uses about 30% of the energy it once used.
From the top, 12th, floor of the building, there is glass 3 of four of the sides of a long room that dazzles with panoramic views of Austin’s cityscape. Transwestern commercial real estate (www.austintranswestern.net) is actively leasing the space.
“We plan to win an EPA/Austin Energy Star for this project,” says Morgan. “This building now makes best use of the space; a dramatic difference from the way it utilized space and energy before. Each floor is designed in a loft-style, and is far more energy efficient.” according to Morgan, who points out that architect and designer Holder is known to make conservation and sustainability a priority in all his work.
Morgan is a third generation Austinite who’s honored to play a role in revitalizing Austin’s downtown area.
2 Comments
The new and improved building is a vast improvement over the old, run-down version! I love it the way Austin architects and contractors are making such a bold effort to ensure the look of downtown as a contemporary, hip area. Go Structura!
My employers have been tenants in the Perry-Brooks Building since it opened in the 1950’s, and I have been here for the last 12 years. Although we miss the windows that opened, the lobby and exterior look great. The folks at Structure were the nicest part of the project: always polite, friendly, and willing to put in a little extra effort to minimize our discomfort during the construction.