Iconic North Austin Building Undergoes Restoration

AUSTIN, TX — One of the city's most iconic mid-century buildings has undergone a year-long renovation by a prominent local architecture firm, officials said Monday.

Built in 1960 and one of the few mid-century marvels in Austin, the suspended building located at 2001 N. Lamar Blvd. was painstakingly restored to its original modernist swag, and is now poised for an unveiling. The revamp was spearheaded by Austin architecture firm Mark Odom Studio.

In a press advisory, officials lauded the efforts to save the building rather than demolishing it with replacement by new commercial construction as is often developers' default move in fast-growing Austin. Instead, the edifice was saved by heritage local Texas insurance company BKCW, run by third-generation owner Meredith Spears.

The building was purchased by Meredith and husband, Tyler Spears, who both wanted to see it returned to its original design style and intention, officials explained. Collaboration work related to furnishings, lighting and vintage art was conducted by The Renner Project, Kimberly Renner.

"The results are stunning, and a reminder of the modernist architecture and design of the time," officials confirmed.