Westhill
Also known as: Chandler-Shelley-Thompson House
Why it's listed
Westhill is a Greek Revival house at 1703 West Avenue in Austin, built around 1855 by the master-builder Abner Cook. It was set into a hillside so that its two-story east front, with a tall fluted Doric portico and balustraded balcony, looked out over the young city. The lower floor is limestone and the upper floor brick, a split construction that suits the steep slope. Later development hid the east facade, and the street side now shows a one-story Greek Revival front. Cook built the house for Mary and Reuben Runner. It passed through several owners, including lawyer Frederick Chandler, who bought it in 1863, and his descendants, who held it until 1909. After years of rental use and neglect, a restoration returned it to excellent condition, and it remains a private residence. It was listed as one of the few surviving Greek Revival homes by Cook, who also built the Governor's Mansion.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Westhill as an important Austin landmark and one of the few remaining Greek Revival residences by Abner Cook. It is also noted for its unusual design, which accommodates a steep hillside. Its original architectural form and elements remain intact despite the development of the surrounding grounds.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79003017, listed July 26, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1703 West Ave., Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | July 26, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003017 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Abner Cook |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored to excellent condition and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.28141, -97.74608 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79003017.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000455
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.