But it might come as a surprise to hear the folks behind the beloved venues don't necessarily want the property to be saved. After hearing about the proposed demolition, he created an Instagram account to encourage people to take action.ĭozens of people have signed up to testify at the commission hearing today. Sanchez has been going out on Fourth Street since 2004, when he moved to Austin for college. “It just changes the way that Austin feels and it sends the message to the LGBTQ community that, with the right amount of money, we're willing to kick you out,” said Armando Sanchez, the creator of Save 4th St. And one Austinite launched a social media campaign called “Save 4th St. A petition to #BlockTheBuild has acquired over 4,000 signatures. An Instagram post from Community Impact detailing the situation quickly received more than 3,000 comments. The development plans sparked outrage in the queer community. Development could be delayed or the case could be sent to the Planning Commission to weigh in on whether the building should be protected. If the commission decides the property may deserve historical designation, then plans will be put on hold. If the commission approves the proposal and does not deem the property historical, the developers can move on in their steps to acquire a demolition permit.
CASTRO GAY BAR NYC FULL
The proposal will be presented to the full commission today. The proposal was presented last month to members of the commission's Architectural Review Committee to discuss whether the property should be evaluated for historical designation. Construction on the high-rise would begin next year with a target opening date of May 2025.Īs is the case with any demolition proposal affecting buildings 45 years or older, the plan must undergo review by Austin's Historic Landmark Commission. During construction, it will temporarily vacate the premises then move back in when the ground-floor work is complete. Oilcan Harry's, however, will be allowed to stay under a new lease with Hanover. Their lease included a 24-month evacuation notice and they've known for a while their time was ending. The bars' owners told the Austin American-Statesman that their landlord has been transparent about this possibility since the beginning. Under the plan, Coconut Club and Neon Grotto-which opened on Colorado Street in 20, respectively-would have to leave their current spots. A rendering of the proposed plans for a new high-rise on Fourth Street. The proposal would tear down the buildings at Fourth and Colorado and build a 40-story tower with 400 residential units. Metcalfe Wolff Stuart & Williams, LLP, an Austin-based real estate firm, filed a demolition application, working with Houston-based developer Hanover Co. In April, news broke that a developer was eyeing part of the district for a new development.
For many years, Austin's annual Pride Parade has marched down Fourth Street to celebrate. Drag queens perform on a nightly basis, queer artists host DJ sets and, sometimes, people even gather to play bingo. The district is comprised of a number of gay bars and queer-friendly spaces, including Oilcan Harry's, Rain on Fourth, Neon Grotto, Coconut Club and Highland Lounge. The area around Fourth Street and Colorado is what some would call a "second home" to members of Austin's LGBTQ+ community. Now, with the proposal for a mixed-use high-rise on Fourth Street, some of Austin's most iconic LGBTQ+ venues are facing major changes, leaving the queer community with mixed feelings. Today, a handful of bars downtown still offer a safe space for queer residents and visitors.Īs Austin's population reaches nearly 1 million, the city is in need of more housing and better transportation options, which often comes at the expense of longtime businesses. But its legacy remains as the first in a long line of bars serving Austin's LGBTQ+ community. So, after 12 years of operation, the club closed its doors. “The Manhattan Club encouraged queer people to network with fellow queer Austinites, freely express their sexuality without immediate repercussions, and forge social and political alliances,” reads an entry in the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas.īefore Florence could negotiate new lease terms, the landowner gave up the space to the company next door. Texas State Historical Commission The Manhattan Club, a small backroom in the Manhattan Restaurant on Congress Avenue, is the earliest documented gay bar in Austin.