By Kyle Kramm, Main Street & CVB Director
Downtown revitalization is a long process that never truly ends and sometimes a single building rehab can take years as property owners deal with financing, permitting and engineering issues. The former Starcke Sleep Shop at 104 North Austin is no different, with a lot of work going on behind the scenes over the last year.
The building rehabilitation began in 2015 with the removal of the slip cover that exposed the original wooden windows, tile façade and other historic features. Then the metal awning was replaced with a wooden awning and transom windows were installed as they were missing after the slip cover was removed.
After a large crack appeared in the original limecrete wall, a structural engineer was brought in to find a solution to secure the wall. The solution developed was the addition of a large “I” beam and replacing the second floor portion of the wall from limecrete to a wooden frame.
The owners then made the decision to subdivide the large over 9000 square foot building into four separate buildings. The building was re-platted in 2018 and new water taps were installed. With additional electricity needed for the newly divided buildings, a new transformer was installed and service lines bored underneath the sidewalks to connect to the buildings.
After the infrastructure was in place, the owners focused on the interior build outs, adding ADA compliant restrooms, new wiring, new HVAC, new lighting and fresh painting. Not only have the owners upgraded interior fixtures, the owners have been working to retain the historic character of the buildings.
“The 1960's exterior covering has been removed to reveal the windows of yesteryear and the low drop ceilings were removed to reveal the historic and beautiful high ceilings,” said Robin Neal with New Opportunities Realty, the owner of the property. “Within the walls of each building are unique elements of the eras in which they were built. Various historic features include pressed tin ceiling tiles, antique sky lights, limecrete walls (recently reinforced with steel beams), and most of the original wood has been reclaimed throughout the buildings.”
The owners are finishing the exterior facades and will be placing on the market as the buildings are completed, with the first one being sold earlier this year. Interested buyers should contact New Opportunities Realty at (210) 627-6527.
The vision of these building renovations continues with the end result being a variety of retail businesses on street level and residential lofts occupying the second story. Downtown revitalization continues in Seguin building by building, block by block.
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