Whitley’s Went. Then Came A Tower.
‘In the heart of downtown Austin, at the intersection of 3rd & Brazos, is a city block forged by success. On this very spot, the Whitley Printing Company grew from a humble print shop into one of the industry’s finest names over five decades. In 2011, the warehouse at 301 Brazos was carefully dismantled and recycled to make way for a bold and innovative project. Simply named Whitley, it is now a striking, locally owned landmark residence.‘
—WhitleyAustin.com sales
An 18-story tower arises from a humble print shop in downtown Austin, and all that remains is its name. ♣
About my Vanishing Austin series: While many Austin landmarks are lost, many are survivors still. Admire them all in a slideshow, HERE. Prints start at $35.
You can marvel at what’s lost and what’s survived in my Endangered Species of Austin poster, featuring 16 Austin icons, and sized at a handsomely large 24 x 36,” available for $25, HERE.
- How the Vanishing Austin project began
- The 99+ photographs in the Vanishing Austin series
- More articles in Vanishing Austin blog series
- The Endangered Species of Austin
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Does the Whitley Printing Company still exist or have they gone out of business? My father ran a printing company for 30 years in San Francisco. He retired just as the printing industry imploded. The building that used to house the printing plant is now condos in the hipster South of Market neighborhood.
Interesting connection you have with printing, Matthew, the Whitley Co here in Austin relocated long before their building was demolished to make way for a slinky, high-end condo. They’re thriving in the burbs of Austin now; somehow they neglected to take their big sign along. I’ve always had a fondness for printers, having done many a press check in my art director career. The smell of ink, of paper, the amazing speed of the presses . . . it was a treat to be involved in the business. Sounds like you grew up in it!
I did grow up in it, even dabbled a little when I got older. But sadly, the printing industry needs people with greater vision than I have to remain relevant in this century. Anyway, thank you for your pictures.