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Outdated St. Edward's building to undergo $5.4M makeover
Austin Business Journal - July 28, 2006by Jenny Robertson ABJ StaffA building originally slated for demolition at St. Edward's University is getting a second life with a $5.4 million renovation.
The university's 2000 master plan originally called for tearing down Fleck Hall, built in 1957 to house science studies. That style of architecture -- sometimes called a "Sputnik" building -- has since fallen out of favor with many schools, says David Dickson, vice president for financial affairs at St. Edward's.
But architects convinced the university to keep it as an example of St. Edwards' varied architectural style. The project will take advantage of Fleck Hall's position on campus, which offers views of both downtown Austin and the school's interior campus.
Austin-based Andersson Wise Architects Inc. is designing the project. The firm also worked on Trustee Hall, the first building constructed under the 2000 master plan, which now houses the business school.
Because Fleck Hall's shell is so sturdy, the firm plans on adding a third floor to the now two-story building. That would add another 8,000 square feet to the already 17,000-square-foot hall.
Once renovated, the building will comprise nine classrooms and some faculty office space, Dickson says. It will also hold the university's education school.
Of particular note, the third floor will include a "wine-and-dine" room for St. Edward's fundraisers. Deans and the school's president will use the posh space to host dinners. Currently, the university only has much larger spaces that seat 100 guests or more for such functions, Dickson says. But Fleck Hall's dining room will seat about two dozen guests, providing a much more intimate experience.
The university has hired Austin-based American Constructors Inc. for the project, which is slated for completion by fall 2007. The school is also repositioning a road that passes by Fleck Hall and is paving a nearby parking lot, which together will cost another $1.5 million.
Tommy Kosarek, principal at Austin-based Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects Inc., says many colleges saw a building frenzy in the 1950s as people went back to school after World War II.
As a result, the universities quickly plopped down buildings, and campuses began to sprawl.
"Obviously, a lot of those buildings aren't highly regarded these days -- not just in architecture, but there's a kind of coldness and uninviting feel to them," Kosarek says.
Schools now are considering what to do with buildings from that era. Many don't meet modern codes or fit in stylistically with a university's campus, and updating them can prove costly.
"Fleck Hall, it's a fairly flexible building," Kosarek says. "There's probably some good bones to it, so that remodeling and renovations could work. You just have to weigh the costs."
Plus, the building has a prominent spot on St. Edwards' campus, sitting near the school's Congress Avenue entrance. The 2000 master plan, which Kosarek's firm helped develop, calls for making that entrance more visible and visually appealing.
"They need to be mindful of how Fleck Hall plays into that strategy," Kosarek says.
jarobertson@bizjournals.com | (512) 494-2523
A building originally slated for demolition at St. Edward's University is getting a second life with a $5.4 million renovation.
The university's 2000 master plan originally called for tearing down Fleck Hall, built in 1957 to house science studies. That style of architecture -- sometimes called a "Sputnik" building -- has since fallen out of favor with many schools, says David Dickson, vice president for financial affairs at St. Edward's.
But architects convinced the university to keep it as an example of St. Edwards' varied architectural style. The project will take advantage of Fleck Hall's position on campus, which offers views of both downtown Austin and the school's interior campus.
Austin-based Andersson Wise Architects Inc. is designing the project. The firm also worked on Trustee Hall, the first building constructed under the 2000 master plan, which now houses the business school.
Because Fleck Hall's shell is so sturdy, the firm plans on adding a third floor to the now two-story building. That would add another 8,000 square feet to the already 17,000-square-foot hall.
Once renovated, the building will comprise nine classrooms and some faculty office space, Dickson says. It will also hold the university's education school.
Of particular note, the third floor will include a "wine-and-dine" room for St. Edward's fundraisers. Deans and the school's president will use the posh space to host dinners. Currently, the university only has much larger spaces that seat 100 guests or more for such functions, Dickson says. But Fleck Hall's dining room will seat about two dozen guests, providing a much more intimate experience.
The university has hired Austin-based American Constructors Inc. for the project, which is slated for completion by fall 2007. The school is also repositioning a road that passes by Fleck Hall and is paving a nearby parking lot, which together will cost another $1.5 million.
Tommy Kosarek, principal at Austin-based Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects Inc., says many colleges saw a building frenzy in the 1950s as people went back to school after World War II.
As a result, the universities quickly plopped down buildings, and campuses began to sprawl.
"Obviously, a lot of those buildings aren't highly regarded these days -- not just in architecture, but there's a kind of coldness and uninviting feel to them," Kosarek says.
Schools now are considering what to do with buildings from that era. Many don't meet modern codes or fit in stylistically with a university's campus, and updating them can prove costly.
"Fleck Hall, it's a fairly flexible building," Kosarek says. "There's probably some good bones to it, so that remodeling and renovations could work. You just have to weigh the costs."
Plus, the building has a prominent spot on St. Edwards' campus, sitting near the school's Congress Avenue entrance. The 2000 master plan, which Kosarek's firm helped develop, calls for making that entrance more visible and visually appealing.
"They need to be mindful of how Fleck Hall plays into that strategy," Kosarek says.
jarobertson@bizjournals.com | (512) 494-2523