Block 71
Austin, Texas
Claudia Taylor Johnson Hall (CTJ) was constructed between 1912 and 1914 to serve as Austin’s Main Post Office. Located on a quarter site, known as Block 71, the limestone building was built with a dominant front facade with classical motifs. The rear facade is complete with its own spectacular feature of wide steel windows that once served as the main mail sorting room. In 1965, the University of Texas System acquired the building and named it in honor of Claudia Taylor Johnson, first lady of the United States from 1963-1969. The University of Texas rehabilitated the buildings interior to house administrative offices which encapsulated much of the building’s original finishes. In 2015, Page Architects designed a 36-story tall office building as part of the Block 71 redevelopment that preserves and incorporates the historic post office located in the Sixth Street National Register Historic District.
Architexas provided preservation consultation with the City of Austin’s Landmark Commission and the Texas Historical Commission for the approved addition, prepared construction documents for selective interior demolition to uncover original decorative finishes, and exterior envelope restoration documents. The developer, Trammell Crow, has a long-term ground lease with the University of Texas System. Kilroy Realty, the new owner, positioned the former post office into a retail/restaurant destination with a 20,000 square foot urban green space.
