Landmark commission delays demolition of North Campus bungalow

The Historic Landmark Commission could soon be going to bat for historic designation of a North Campus bungalow, following the last meeting’s turnout to oppose its demolition.

The home, which sits at 701 Sparks Ave. across from Eastwood Park, was built in 1925 in a Spanish Revival style popularized by University of Texas School of Architecture founder Hugo Kuehne. Commissioners voted unanimously to postpone the case to its November meeting, despite a petition against historic zoning filed by current owner Rahim Javanmardi.

Javanmardi claims the nearly century-old home has fallen into disrepair following years of neglect by a previous owner, citing mold in the basement and deteriorating framing as key obstacles. Still, a small but mighty group of neighbors voiced skepticism, wondering if a good faith effort had been made to consider preservation.

“It’s been said around the neighborhood that (Javanmardi) spent an enormous amount of money on this property. … If he were going to spend that much, it seems odd he would buy a house that he knew he would have to demolish,” said neighbor Barbara Epstein. “And he is already an owner of 11 other properties in the neighborhood.”

A historic resources survey conducted in 2020 by the city of Austin lists 701 Sparks Ave. as high priority for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, citing the home’s eclectic Spanish Revivalism and association with municipal contractor Knox Thomas as touchstones. Neighbors say the home’s proximity to the historic Eastwood Park and relationship to a young University of Texas should also be taken into consideration.

“Eastwood Park has a rich history of more than 150 years, including being one of the first Juneteenth celebrations in Austin and the first site of Eeyore’s Birthday Party,” said neighbor Robin Turner. “701 Sparks is a gateway house to the park and stands as a historic sentinel of many such events and memories that have taken place there.”

“This house also represents the expansion and growth of the University of Texas,” said neighbor and former Historic Landmark Commissioner Terri Myers. “This was a streetcar suburb, with access to the Duval streetcar line just a block away, and this neighborhood was middle class and, if there is such a thing, a professorial class … people who raised their families here in the shadow of UT, which we are still in today.”

Commissioners will reconsider the case next month, anticipating an 80-page inspection report that Javanmardi says will shed more light on the home’s structural challenges. If the commission chooses to initiate historic zoning, the case will still need to face both the Planning Commission and City Council, a journey historically fraught for homes with objecting owners.

For more information about Austin’s historic resources, check out the city’s Historic Preservation Office website.

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Posted In: Preservation, District 9