It’s only fitting.
After advocating for the preservation of the much loved house at 3805 Red River Street, an unusual example of residential Streamline Moderne architecture in Austin; raising the money to purchase it; getting it listed to the National Register of Historic Places; and spending yet more resources to renovate it and restore it to mid-century glory, Preservation Austin will now call the McFarland House home.
The non-profit organization will move its offices into the McFarland House in early 2022.
Preservation Austin made contact with John McFarland, who was seven years old when his parents built the house in 1947. Family photos and other information McFarland provided revealed much about the house’s origin story and revealed the original color scheme — white, pale blue, and black.
Read more about the McFarland House at:
Just under 2000-square-feet, the two-story house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, though the small first floor bedroom functions more like a study. A large open living room is just inside the front door. An outside back staircase leads down to the backyard and carport.
Little inside the McFarland House had been altered over the years. And while the carpeting is new, it is historically accurate: Wall-to-wall carpeting was the ne plus ultra of Streamline Moderne homes.Preservation Austin will need to get a zoning change for light office use before it moves in. Currently the McFarland House is zoned for residential use. (There is a residential tenant leasing the property through August 2021.)
Culmination of the rehabilitation of the McFarland House dovetailed with Preservation Austin completing a comprehensive five-year strategic plan. See preservationaustin.org/our-future-home
The original kitchen built-ins and cabinetry have been restored with contemporary appliances added.
The eat-in area in the kitchen faces the busy intersection of Red River and East 38 streets. The McFarland House has no formal dining room.
With its original tile and sink, the first floor bathroom is en suite of the small first floor bedroom.
