More upscale condominiums are coming to the South Congress Avenue area, with the latest project slated to replace the Southside Church of Christ behind the Hotel San José.
Richard Barge, president of Dallas-based Winston Capital, said he has a contract to buy 1.5 acres from the church at 108 W. Gibson St., which plans to move. The church would be razed to make way for several two- and three-story buildings with about 85 condominiums priced from $200,000 to $700,000.
Barge said he hopes to break ground on the $20 million project as soon as possible, once a zoning change is approved.
The rezoning will allow architects greater flexibility in designing a project that is compatible with the neighborhood, as well as allow for possible limited commercial use in the future, said Austin attorney David Armbrust, representing Barge.
Designing the project is San Antonio-based Lake/Flato Architects Inc., the award-winning firm that transformed the Hotel San José, adding quirky, contemporary touches that turned the 1939 motor court into a hip, urban boutique hotel.
Lake/Flato also was the design architect on the Nokonah luxury condo project at West Ninth Street and North Lamar Boulevard, and also designed the building for Congregation Agudas Achim and the Austin Lyric Opera building on Barton Springs Road.
For his condominium project, Barge wants to evoke the funky flavor of South Congress Avenue while capturing the same feel as the trendy Hotel San José, whose courtyard is a popular gathering spot for wine sippers.
Barge has discussed the project with the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, members of the group said. He has responded to their concerns with "significant design revisions, including a reduction in units from the original proposal," said Brad Patterson, chairman of the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association's zoning committee.
"So far, it's been a productive give-and-take between the developer and the neighborhood association," said Cory Walton, vice president of the group.
Barge, who initially planned 93 units, also reduced the height of the buildings from about 50 feet to less than 45 feet.
"We like this plan better than what we had before," he said.
The project will join several others being built or planned for the area along South Congress Avenue.
Across the street from Barge's proposed project, construction is under way on a high-end mixed-use project called the 04 after the area's ZIP code, 78704. Located at the former site of the Capitol Car Credit auto dealership next to Güero's Taco Bar, that project will have 28 condominiums, plus retail, restaurant and office space.
The tenant lineup includes Mars Restaurant and Bar, upscale clothing store By George, specialty grocer Cissi's Market and Anne Kelso Salon and Day Spa.
Barge said he also is planning a high-end condominium development in Lago Vista that is being designed and is expected to break ground later this year.
