Erika and Halton Williams said they were drawn by downtown Hutto’s charm in 2014 when they decided to purchase the building now known as One Eleven East.
Two years later, the couple is expanding the 3,700-square-foot events venue by another 3,000 square feet—including a new 1,500-square-foot courtyard. The added space should be ready by the end of the year, according to the couple.
While others might have shied away from the seemingly outdated building, which was constructed in 1893 and had been vacant since the 1980s, the Williamses said they saw an opportunity to preserve history and create a unique venue.
Halton, a Round Rock engineer, and wife, Erika, who deals in commercial real estate and has a background in interior design, describe the property as “essentially in shell form” when they discovered it.
The building, at 111 East St.—hence the venue’s name—features 15-foot-high, expansive ceilings highlighted by natural light. Other architectural features include original, exposed brick walls, a bead board ceiling and long-leaf pine floors the couple exposed after removing dilapidated carpet.
“There was so much beautiful architectural character of this property — it was bound to operate as something special,” Erika said. “We just needed to restore its existing beauty and bring it back to life.”
Since its Jan. 17 grand opening, One Eleven East has not only served as a site for weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, anniversaries, birthdays, banquets and workshops, but also hosted photography sessions and video shoots. The owners said they strived to create a space that is “versatile and special, and not just another wedding venue.”
“In the ’80s, this property was home to The East Street Dining and Social Club, where dinners and shows were held,” Erika said. “We think that this property at 111 was always meant to be a place for people to gather.”
And the owners are well on their way to expanding with the acquisition of the adjacent property.
A skylight room is also being designed as a dedicated wedding ceremony space that would “smoothly transition to the dancing and entertainment [area] after the dinner reception,” Erika said.
One Eleven East
111 East St., Hutto 512-202-2044 http://oneeleveneast.com [email protected]
