A lot of downtown apartment marketing leans on two things: “historic charm” or “modern luxury.” Occasionally both. Rarely either, honestly.
Hawn Plaza is trying something different. It’s not pretending to be new construction, and it’s not hiding the updates. It’s a restored 1928 mixed-use district on 104 E Central Ave, Temple, TX 76501 with apartments above and active commercial space at street level. That means you get history, walkability, and actual finished interiors in the same building.
What This Means Day to Day
Historic character usually sounds good in a listing and then shows up as uneven floors and drafty windows. At Hawn Plaza, the building’s bones—brick, scale, placement on the downtown grid—are real. The interiors are rebuilt: new kitchens, new baths, modern systems, in-unit laundry.
That split matters because it’s usually the thing renters actually argue about:
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Do I want a new box with no neighborhood?
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Or do I want an old building that still feels like an apartment, not a museum?
Hawn Plaza is closer to the second option without asking you to sacrifice the practical stuff.
Not Just a Building—A Mixed-Use Block
Street level at Hawn Plaza isn’t parking and a leasing office. It’s commercial space with active tenants, the Arcadia Theatre next door, and the daily rhythm of actual downtown Temple. That’s different from most apartment sites in the area because:
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Foot traffic and activity continue after office hours
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There’s a nearby destination feel instead of a residential loop
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You can walk to coffee, food, and services without crossing six lanes of traffic
For renters who use their neighborhood—not just sleep in it—that daily convenience is hard to fake.
Hawn Tower vs. Hawn West: Two Ways to Live Here
Hawn Plaza isn’t one building with one floorplan. It’s two distinct residential options:
Hawn West
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1-bedroom, 1-bath layouts
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Select units around 984 sq. ft.
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Strong value positioning with competitive downtown pricing
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Best for individuals and professionals who want straightforward, updated living
Hawn Tower
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Larger and more varied layouts depending on availability
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More vertical landmark presence in the district
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Elevated feel within the same restored community
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Best for renters looking for more space or a more prominent downtown address
Both share modern interiors, walkable Temple location, proximity to employers and services, and access to current specials and flexible lease terms. If you’re having trouble choosing, see our comparison below.
Who This Actually Works For
Downtown Temple living isn’t only for young creatives. The renters who convert here consistently include:
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healthcare workers at Baylor Scott & White Temple
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downtown professionals who want a shorter workday footprint
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I-35 corridor commuters who want a real neighborhood address
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empty nesters downsizing without losing walkability
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Temple College students and clinical program participants who need to be close to rotations
What they share isn’t age or job title. It’s that they value time, location, and a building with actual identity.
Current Specials Worth Knowing About
Right now, there are several ways to lower your move-in cost. We regularly offer competitive incentives to help line up your move date—including look-and-lease discounts, reduced deposits, waived application fees, and exclusive discounts for active first responders and BSW employees.
Because availability moves fast and promotional pricing updates frequently, we keep all of our active offers in one place so you can always see the most accurate rates and featured units.
View our current move-in specials here to see how you can save on your new downtown address.
Regardless of the promotion, every unit includes brand-new appliances, an in-unit washer and dryer, and fully remodeled interiors from floor to ceiling.
What Hawn Plaza Is Not
This isn’t a brand-new build with a clubhouse and pool. It isn’t a generic apartment off the interstate. If those are your checklist requirements, it isn’t the right fit.
What it offers instead is a real downtown address with restored character, modern interiors, and proximity to the people and places that make Temple feel like home.
How to See If It Fits
Availability moves fast on our featured units. The best next step is a tour:
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Call: (254) 759-8027
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Email: Contact Us
Bring your questions about lease timing, employer discounts, or which building fits your routine. The team can give you current availability and exact unit details in person.
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