Historic Bergen-Todd House on South Congress Set for $3 Million Transformation into Connie's Last Stand Restaurant
One of South Congress Avenue's oldest surviving homes is preparing for a remarkable new chapter that blends Austin's architectural heritage with its ever-evolving culinary scene.
A $3 million renovation project has been filed to restore the historic Bergen-Todd House at 1403 S. Congress Avenue, converting the City of Austin Landmark into Connie's Last Stand, a new restaurant that will preserve one of the corridor's most recognizable Victorian homes while thoughtfully adapting it for public use.
For Austinites who have watched South Congress transform over the past several decades, the project represents something increasingly rare: an investment that preserves a piece of the city's history instead of replacing it. As redevelopment continues to reshape one of Austin's most visited districts, projects that protect historic landmarks help maintain the character that first made South Congress a destination.
Restoration Balances History with Modern Hospitality
According to project filings, construction is scheduled to begin September 29, 2026, with completion anticipated by May 29, 2027.
The privately funded renovation will preserve the home's approximately 2,244-square-foot historic structure while adding a 1,000-square-foot glass conservatory designed to serve restaurant guests. The plans also include:
- A detached 333-square-foot outdoor bar
- A separate 286-square-foot restroom building
- A detached 585-square-foot kitchen
- Comprehensive restoration and alteration of the historic residence
Austin-based architecture firm Side Angle Side is leading the design of the project, which aims to carefully integrate modern restaurant amenities while respecting the property's historic character.
A Home That Predates Modern South Austin
The Bergen-Todd House is far older than much of the development surrounding it.
Part of the residence was originally constructed in 1877, the same year Fairview Park was platted—before South Austin was incorporated into the City of Austin. The home received its current appearance during an 1894 remodel that introduced many of the decorative features that remain defining characteristics today.
Built for James V. Bergen, a New York native who worked in Austin's real estate and abstract business, and his wife Almira Bergen, the home reflects the prosperity of Austin during the late 19th century. Around 1900, the Bergen family relocated to El Paso, where James Bergen later served as the real estate and tax commissioner for the Southwestern railway system until his death in 1915.
The property was later purchased by Tennessee Ann Todd, who operated the home as a boarding house. After her death in 1930, her daughter, Ruth Todd, continued living there until 1965. Remarkably, the residence has remained in the Todd family ever since.
Today, it stands as one of the final remaining single-family residences along the bustling South Congress commercial corridor.
One of South Congress' Last Victorian Survivors
The Bergen-Todd House is significant not only because of its age, but because so few comparable homes remain.
The residence is one of only two surviving 19th-century homes in the historic Monroe neighborhood segment of South Congress. Its late Victorian architecture showcases hallmark Queen Anne-style elements, including ornate porch posts, decorative fish-scale shingles and intricate exterior detailing that once characterized many homes in the area.
As automobile traffic and commercial growth accelerated during the 1920s and 1930s, many neighboring Victorian homes were demolished or relocated to make room for expanding businesses. While several historic houses remain across the street and within nearby neighborhoods, the Bergen-Todd House has endured on its original site for nearly 150 years.
Its designation as a City of Austin Landmark recognizes both its architectural significance and its role in telling the story of South Austin's early development.
Preserving Austin's Identity While Embracing Change
Adaptive reuse projects have become an increasingly important part of Austin's approach to historic preservation, allowing landmark buildings to remain economically viable while protecting their architectural integrity.
Rather than replacing the Bergen-Todd House with new construction, the Connie's Last Stand project seeks to give the property an active new purpose that invites residents and visitors inside a building that has witnessed generations of Austin's growth.
For South Congress, where new hotels, restaurants and mixed-use developments continue to reshape the corridor, preserving historic landmarks helps maintain the distinctive character that has long made the district one of the city's most recognizable destinations.
What Happens Next
Pending permitting and construction timelines, renovation work is expected to begin in late September 2026 and conclude in May 2027.
Once complete, Connie's Last Stand is expected to offer guests the opportunity to dine within one of Austin's oldest surviving homes, providing a rare blend of historic preservation, contemporary architecture and South Congress hospitality.
As Austin continues balancing growth with preservation, projects like this demonstrate how the city's historic places can remain part of everyday community life for generations to come.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for updates on this and other development, preservation and community stories shaping neighborhoods across Austin.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.