Property Owner: University of Texas at Austin
Property Address: 302 W 24th St, Austin, TX 78705
Dates of Survey: 9/24/2019, 10/4/2019, and 10/5/19
Weather conditions at time of survey: Sunny with minimal cloud coverage. Average temperature: 97°F Average humidity: 38%. Wind: 5 mph.
Current Use: Functions as the University of Texas at Austin, University Events office and functions as an event space for student organization and University departments.
Brief History: Built in 1893 for Col. George Washington Littlefield, this building was designed by James Wahrenberger and served as a residence for the Colonel and his wife, Alice Littlefield. A longstanding benefactor of the University, Col. Littlefield donated over two million dollars to the school over his lifetime, including his home, now called the Littlefield House, and carriage house which was gifted to the University in 1920 in accordance with his passing. Since then, the building has been used by both the R.O.T.C. as a shooting range during WWII and the University’s Music Department, before its current use as the University’s Events Office and rental space.
General Description: Consisting of two stories with a third floor attic and raised basement, the Littlefield House is an example of Victorian chauteauesque style located on the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. Meant to impress, the exterior incorporates a variety of architectural elements, styles, and materials in order to reflect Col. George Washington Littlefield’s expansive wealth. Beginning with the multi-leveled, convex mansard roof, the top of the house incorporates a central tower with pyramidal roof, dormers, turret, and painted pressed metal decorative elements such as the soffit and brackets. The polychrome slate shingles are arranged to create a pattern of red dots in a green border on a dark grey background. The walls are largely made of brick and mortar laid in a running bond with red sandstone coursework throughout. While the layout of the south façade features a centrally located main entrance, the overall appearance is asymmetrical due to the imbalance between the protruding two story bay windows on the west corner and recessed two story veranda wrapping around the east corner of the house. A pattern of decorative wrought iron work, painted green, is repeated throughout the railings, cresting, and grillwork for vents, windows, and doors. The remaining facades are less embellished. There is a porte cochere located on the north east corner of the building. There are five additional entrances; two on the east side and three on the west. The west façade features a secondary wooden porch structure with two metal overhangs trimmed with pressed metal, as well as a sunken entrance to the basement below. The north side includes a two story addition that was added in the 1917.
General Condition: Overall, the exterior of this building is in poor condition with multiple unstable elements, losses, and areas of active deterioration. The structure appears sound, but there are potential issues with the surrounding soil on the west and north side of the property that require further investigation.
Particle Soiling: There is a generalized layer of dirt across the exterior of the building, with areas of black atmospheric soiling localized on the lower three courses of rusticated sandstone on the south and east façade and on the rusticated sandstone sills on the north, east, and west façade. Other areas of heavy dirt accumulation include throughout the decorative wrought iron grillwork on the doors and arched transom windows, and at the base of several ground story windows within the veranda.
Discoloration: There is staining across the front and east side marble steps as well as a large patch of discoloration on the brick wall in the areaway on the north side of the building.
Efflorescence: There is evidence of probable efflorescence on portions of the brick wall along the north, east, and west façade, and bottom sandstone course on the southwest corner. A majority can be seen in areas with other moisture problems including biological growth, staining, and rising damp, indicating that this efflorescence may also be related to rising ground moisture.
Corrosion: Evidence of iron corrosion can be seen across the wrought and cast iron work on the two story veranda and west side porch. Red stains from iron corrosion are visible, as well as pitting underneath paint (localized on the pillars) and rough patches of corrosion in areas where the paint is missing. More evidence of iron corrosion can be seen along the roof line where paint has flaked away on the brackets to reveal red iron corrosion stains and patches of corrosion. Other elements such as the urns, flashing, and pyramidal caps show signs of loss due to iron corrosion. Some green copper based patina is visible on the exterior door hardware.
Paint Loss: There is generalized paint loss visible across the building. Primarily seen on the metal railing, vents, and wood railings that encloses the two story veranda, here the paint is actively flaking away from the metal and has become severely faded on the wood. Other wooden elements such as the doors, window frames, west porch floorboards, and carved engaged columns are also suffering from faded and flaking paint. The doors in particular have become faded and appear bleached. Portions of lintels and window frames have areas of heavy craquelure. Pressed metal elements along the sides and roof of the building also have areas of flaking paint linked with corrosion as well as portions of faded paint that now appear white as seen on the tower flashing and pediments.
Loss of Stone and Brick Surfaces: There is evidence of spalling and delamination across the sandstone coursework on the south, east, and west façade. The lower three courses on the south façade especially exhibit a large amount of spalling, while the sandstone coursework that follows the ground floor windowsill on the west façade shows signs of both spalling and recent delamination. There are also losses to some of the brick surfaces, mostly likely from mechanical damage, seen on the outer pillars of the porte cochere.
Biological Issues: There is a large amount of bird guano built up on the ground floor veranda under areas where birds are roosting. Bird deterrent spikes are in place, but not fully functioning. Other spots of biological accretions can be seen sporadically across the exterior walls of the building. Decay is present along the wooden railings and portions of the soffit on the veranda and the porch resulting in areas of loss and instability. There is evidence of lichen growth along the sandstone sills on the north and west façade, as well as on the brick walls leading down to the basement entrance on the west side of the house. Vegetation growth is also an issue. On the south façade, several tree branches are resting on the roof above the bay windows. On the north side, there was a tree growing within several inches of the building that has since been cut down, though the stump and root system still remain.
Moisture: There are signs of rising damp along the south and west side of the building. Additional issues related to moisture can be seen in the condensation forming on the inside of many of the windows due to the location of HVAC vents and the difference between temperatures, the accumulation of water damage and rot seen in the wooden soffit material around the gutter and downspout on the east side of the building, and a leaking window AC unit.
Loose and Missing Elements: Ornamental elements on the roof are loose including the pyramidal feature above the broken pediment on the east side of the tower and finial on the turret. Several portions of the wooden railing along the ground floor of the veranda are missing in areas of rot and one entire length has detached and become wedge become the ramp and floor. The wrought iron work that stretch between the openings of the porte cochere are bent, most likely from physical force.
Poor Previous Repairs: Repairs have been made to the rusticated sandstone coursing along the ground floor windowsills. However, these repairs do not match in material color or texture, and signs can be seen that these previous repairs are now starting to crack and fail. Two portions of the brick wall on the second floor of the west façade stand out as lacking mortar. It is unclear whether this is due to previous repair or cleaning efforts or if this loss is due to weathering.
Graffiti: Scratches and the addition of two googly eye craft products can be seen along the sandstone coursework on the southwest corner.
Structural Issues: The porch on the west side of the building feels unstable. The wooden tongue and groove floorboards are worn and bend underweight. Furthermore, the sidewalk appears to be sinking along the west and southwest corner of the building. Based on surviving lines of old sealant, it has sunk at least 2.5 inches on the west side. Side panels on the ramp on the east side are pulling away from the structure. There are cracks in the treads on the south staircase and cracks in the sandstone coursing on the west façade.
Further Advice: This building would greatly benefit from a more rigorous maintenance routine that addressed issues of biological, weathering, and moisture accumulation. Regular monitoring is recommended to ensure compliance with and the adequacy of recommendations. Prior to completing a preservation plan, further testing will be necessary to confirm source(s) of moisture in the walls and probable efflorescence.
IMAGE: view of south facade and site, facing north
IMAGE: south facade of cupola, facing north
IMAGE: Detail of staircase from the west facade, facing north. Conditions found include soiling, corrosion, rising damp, and efflorescence.
IMAGE: Detail of rubble coursework on south facade. Conditions found include soiling, delamination, and efflorescence.
IMAGE: Detail of front door on south facade. Conditions found include faded and peeling paint, patina, and soiling.
IMAGE: Detail of soffit on east facade. Conditions found include paint loss and corrosion.
IMAGE: Detail of stained glass window on southeast turret. The panel is in stable condition.
