Travis County Probate Court Restoration

Originally constructed in 1936, the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Austin is a notable example of the Public Works Administration Moderne architectural style, which reflects the streamlined monumentality of Great Depression-era federal buildings. The courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, served as a federal judicial building until its functions were relocated in 2012. The structure's defining Art Deco and Art Moderne-inspired interiors, featuring intricate wood paneling, marble-clad walls, and bronze fixtures, largely remained intact over the decades. However, after years of vacancy, the courthouse was acquired by Travis County in 2016 with the intention of restoring and repurposing it to house the Probate Courts. Significant preservation efforts were undertaken, including the cleaning, repointing, and repair of the limestone façade, along with the replication of historic steel windows, which were originally removed and replaced with non-matching aluminum sash. Additionally, the project restored the building's original roof-mounted flagpole, an iconic feature removed during previous renovations. The project preserved key interior spaces, including original courtrooms and corridors, while updating the building to accommodate modern mechanical, electrical, and safety systems, ensuring its continued use as a functional and historically significant civic building.