Jules Leffland was not the only architect active in the Coastal Bend in the 1890–1912 period, but his competitors were not as thoughtful as he was in leaving cornerstones to document authorship. This two-story brick commercial block, centered on the south side of the square, differs from Leffland's customary style in its facade composition and treatment of window openings. Enclosing second-floor windows with semicircular arches, and filling the spandrels between the arches with ornamental brick bonding patterns, animates the Austin Building's facade, which has been enhanced by new, high-contrast coloration.