Bremond Block Historic District

What to know

The Bremond Block Historic District is a remarkable collection of eleven historic homes nestled in downtown Austin. Bordered by West Seventh, West Eighth, Guadalupe, and San Antonio streets, this square block represents one of the few remaining upper-class Victorian neighborhoods from the mid-to-late nineteenth century in Texas. Remarkably, it is one of only two Victorian-era residential blocks in the entire United States where every single house has been preserved intact in an almost unaltered form. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, the district stands as a testament to Austin's early wealth and architectural ambition. The district's history is deeply tied to the prominent Bremond family, who were highly influential in late-nineteenth-century Austin social, merchandising, and banking circles. Six of the homes were built or expanded for the families of brothers Eugene and John Bremond. Other notable structures include the district's two earliest homes located on Guadalupe Street: the B. J. Smith house, which dates back to the 1850s, and the Hale Houston house, constructed before 1860. Additionally, the district features homes on the west side of San Antonio and the south side of West Seventh streets, including at least three built or altered by the North family. Architecturally, the block is a stunning showcase of Greek Revival and Late Victorian styles, framed beautifully by large live oaks and lush plantings at the edge of a bluff. A particularly striking feature is the outstanding cast-iron work on a wrap-around gallery. The crown jewel of the block is the 1886 John Bremond house, a Second Empire-style masterpiece. This home features a crested mansard roof, elaborate dormers, polychrome slate shingles, and concave bracketed curves on its front gable. Preservation efforts have kept these treasures alive. In 1969, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association purchased the John Bremond home and its neighboring house, launching a major renovation campaign to rescue them from serious disrepair. Today, the John and Pierre Bremond houses remain owned by the association, with the John Bremond house serving as its headquarters. Other homes have transitioned to new roles; for instance, the 1877 Eugene Bremond house was sympathetically restored from its former use as a bed-and-breakfast to serve as a modern law office.

Visitor tips

• Observe the homes from the public sidewalks, as many of these historic properties now serve as private offices, such as the Eugene Bremond house law office.
• Walk the entire perimeter of West Seventh, West Eighth, Guadalupe, and San Antonio streets to view all eleven historic homes.
• Look for the Texas Classroom Teachers Association headquarters at the corner of Seventh and Guadalupe to see the outstanding 1886 John Bremond house.

Nearby context

Situated in downtown Austin, the Bremond Block Historic District offers a striking architectural contrast to the modern skyscrapers of the surrounding city center. Located just a short walk from Congress Avenue, this quiet residential enclave sits at the edge of a bluff, providing a shaded escape under historic live oaks. It serves as an excellent starting point for exploring nearby downtown landmarks or heading northeast toward the green spaces of Waterloo Park.