Haehnel Building

The Haehnel Building at 1101 East 11th Street is a brick structure featuring architectural elements typical of late 19th century commercial design. The building shows the characteristic details and construction methods used for commercial properties during that era.

The building was constructed in 1875 by Italian immigrant Salvatore Bailetti. It originally served as both a residence and a commercial space for retail and drink service.

The building housed Shorty's Bar from 1960 to 1987, which served as a meeting place for the East Austin African-American community. Locals gathered here to spend time together and be part of the neighborhood's social life.

The restored building now houses office space and is best viewed from the outside. It makes for an interesting stop when walking through the area and exploring the historic architecture of East Austin.

The building is a rare example of a corner commercial structure with an attached residence from the 19th century that survived in Austin. This combination of living and working spaces on a single property was common practice then but is rarely found today.

Location: Texas

Location: Austin

Address: 1101 E. 11th St.

GPS coordinates: 30.26910,-97.72917

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42