Prime Location in Downtown Austin
The Brazos Lofts is located in the heart of downtown in the central business district on Brazos Street between East 4th and 5th Streets. Across the street is The Frost Building, a landmark in the middle of the city. Brazos Street is just 1 block east of Congress Avenue, and 6 blocks west of Interstate Highway 35. Four blocks south is the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, and seven blocks north lies the Texas Capitol Building. Have your out-of-town guests stay at the historic Driskill Hotel or the Four Seasons, just around the corner. The building is situated in the Austin Independent School District, including Matthews Elementary, O’Henry Middle School, and Austin High School.
A Classic Loft Feel and Look
In contrast to the many high-rise and mid-rise downtown condo buildings, the Brazos Lofts is a 3-story building, with a total height of 40 feet. It was originally a warehouse built in 1925 and had many uses during its life. It was mostly used as a car workshop operated by Capitol Chevrolet. It was converted to 39 residential lofts in 1999 by The Sutton Company, a local Austin development firm that has been in Austin since 1988. The architect hired for the project was Dick Clark Architecture, also a local firm that was originally established in 1979. The building has a classic brick facade on the outside and exposed brick walls in the living spaces. The units are spacious, with high ceilings (ranging in height from 12 to 22 feet) with exposed wood beams, and big windows looking out over the neighboring blocks. You can find a wide range of sizes; the 1 bedroom lofts range in size from 1,084 to 1,358 square feet and the 2 bedrooms are exceptionally large and spacious, starting at 1,476 square feet and going up to 2,722 square feet. There is a large “penthouse” unit that is 3,360 square feet. Kitchens have a very open feel and the finishes include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms have granite countertops and lots of natural travertine tile. The first floor lofts have exposed concrete floors and the second and third floor lofts have natural wood plank hardwood floors. Some of the lofts are two stories that include iron staircases that lead up to the second loft level.
Amenities
Plaza Lofts does not really have any amenities. It has no pool, no lobby, no concierge or on site staff, no fitness center or club room. If you purchase a loft here you are purchasing a home and not the amenities that come with it. On the flip side, because there are not any common amenities or services, the HOA fees, at $0.20 per square foot, is very low! Each unit comes with 1 or 2 parking spaces in the building’s private parking garage. The building and the garage is secure and you would need a key fob or remote to gain access. Guests can call owners from one of the call boxes located at the east and west entrance and the home owners can then buzz-in their guests. Amenities are limited. There is retail space on the Ground Level, including a trendy clothing store, an art gallery, and office space.
Restaurants Nearby
Around the corner on 5th and San Jacinto is one of Austin’s best restaurants, Eddie V’s, serving delicious seafood and aged steaks, with a classy bar and live music nightly. Within a few blocks are numerous other places to go for fine dining and cheap eats, including Parkside, The Mongolian Grill, PF Changs, Koriente, and more.
Nightlife
There is more than you can handle in every direction from the Brazos Lofts. Go see great jazz and grab a cold pint at the Elephant Room on Congress between 3rd/4th Streets. Sixth Street is a stone’s throw away, but far enough where the noise is not a nuisance. Tenants/Owners have said that noise is not a problem as the bedrooms are nestled on the inside of the building, the living units are off the street level, and the majority of the nightlife is at least a block away. This gives residents the proximity to the fun without the challenge of going to sleep or focusing on reading a good book.