Luxe Austin Homes - new construction

In a twist, NY developer approved for $65M purchase of prime South Congress property with redevelopment potential

In a wild twist, one of the nation’s most prolific developers has emerged as the frontrunner to buy out of bankruptcy a six-acre South Congress Avenue site primed for redevelopment.

After the top two bidders for the South Congress site proved either unwilling or unable to timely close on the sales, The Related Companies LP, a New York-based developer with an estimated $60 billion portfolio, negotiated with a Chapter 7 trustee to make a $65 million offer.

Related was approved by a bankruptcy judge Sept. 15 to purchase the site for $65 million, provided it can close on the deal by Sept. 30.

An attorney representing the company, Josh Judd of law firm Andrews Myers PC, told ABJ Sept. 16 that his client is "not anticipating any problems" closing…

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What could $350M affordable housing bond mean for Austin's economy?

With the fate of a $350 million affordable housing bond now in the hands of Austin's voters, the referendum carries the potential to inject a substantial sum of money into the hands of developers and contractors — while also addressing a mounting housing crisis.

But the idea has its opponents.

The $350 million bond, the largest of its type proposed in city history, if approved would increase property taxes by more than $45 a year for a "typical" Austin home, valued at $448,000 with a taxable value of $358,400, assuming there's a homestead exemption.

Such a gain could cause pain during this time of drastically rising prices. Yet proponents argue that is why now is the time to invest in much-needed housing for essential workers.

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Here’s Our First Look at the Two Towers Headed for Block 32 in Downtown Austin

Updates to the site plan for the Block 32 tower project now working its way through the city’s permitting process offer us a closer look at the two towers set to rise atop a half-block at East Third and San Jacinto Streets in downtown Austin — and although our city is pretty spoiled for impressive new buildings lately, these plans show a pair of towers with a design that should prove remarkable on the skyline. We now know the developer behind the project is Austin’s own Manifold Real Estate, which has quite a few projects cooking at the moment, though Block 32 could become the largest yet. 

The two towers would rise at the half-block bound by San Jacinto Boulevard, East Third, East Fourth, and Trinity Streets directly west of the Austin Convention…

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Austin company taking tiny home rentals to San Antonio

Austin-based Casata Corp., a developer of small home rental communities, is turning its gaze on San Antonio as it expands across the rest of Texas.

The company, founded in 2020 by developer Aaron Levy, is scouting five locations around San Antonio for a 200-unit community of built-to-rent homes with floor plans ranging between 400 and 800 square feet.

"We like cities where jobs are being created," Chief Operating Officer Zain Mahmood told San Antonio Business Journal.

The company also looks at the entertainment and shopping options nearby.

Mahmood, who was introduced to Levy through mutual friends and brought on as co-founder, said that when the group set up its pilot project, Casata Austin, the community was 82% leased before construction…

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Tens of millions of dollars of new homes rising in small neighborhood

Five local architecture firms will showcase their designs in a high-end residential development coming to West Lake Hills.

Custom homebuilder Foursquare Builders LLC announced Sept. 7 it will build an enclave of six ultra-luxury homes in the tony suburb west of downtown Austin, designed by five renowned firms. The development, called the Wildcat Club, will have home prices starting at $11.75 million. All of the home listings in the development are with Darin Walker of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty.

"The vision was to develop this parcel where we can bring a very select group of architects to work with us on these six properties, so that we have a community of architecturally significant homes that are held to a standard that’s…

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200-plus homes may sprout in Northeast Austin subdivision

Sixty-eight acres in Northeast Austin have been zoned for single-family, small lot construction by the city’s Zoning and Platting Commission.

Plans indicate there are 211 plots at 4806 Blue Goose Road, just east of Cameron Road. Commissioners approved the zoning as part of the consent agenda at their Sept. 6 meeting, following a recommendation by city staffers.

The final number of homes could change.

The project is spearheaded by RR Braker Valley LP and Jeremy Smitheal, a partner at Austin-based real estate investment firm Riverside Resources. The company is behind several major commercial projects across the city, including plans to transform part of West Sixth Street.

A representative for Riverside Resources confirmed the firm is behind…

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Gearspace Rolls into Austin, TX

Today, Gearspace announces the launch of their 6-acre development of 68 multi-purpose, individually owned, customizable garage condos for personal use. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Gearspace is a destination for collectors, gearheads, tinkerers, builders, and hobbyists looking to store and enjoy their favorite gear with a community of like-minded individuals.

“We are thrilled to offer Gearspace owners more than a storage space but a place to house prized possessions and to escape to, all while being part of a community with other enthusiasts. Gearspace premium garage condos can be customized to the owner's needs and design aesthetic – collecting cars, storing wine, or working on your RV or boat,'' said Ray Frigo, Principal at Gearspace.…

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Grand plans, deep-pocketed backers revealed for what will be tallest building in Austin — and all of Texas

The skyscraper being constructed at 98 Red River St. in downtown Austin, which is set to be the tallest building in both the city and state when complete, finally has a name: Waterline.

In addition to its official moniker, the development team revealed Sept. 6 a slew of additional details about the project, which is set to take the skyline to new heights. That included a breakdown of space within the hotel-office-residential tower and community benefits like pedestrian access and a seven-figure donation to the nearby trail system.

"Downtown Austin offers one of the most dynamic markets and skylines in the nation, and we're excited to help drive its ongoing transformation," said Seth Johnston, senior vice president in Austin for Dallas-based…

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Crane Watch: High-rise hotel to replace bar previously called Russian House; Tesla plans another Austin store

Indiana-based White Lodging is gearing up to develop a 269-room high-rise hotel at the intersection of Fifth and Trinity streets.

The project, planned at 307 and 311 E. Fifth St., would rise 128 feet and encompass 188,640 square feet, according to public documents.

While White Lodging is developing the project, the owner is listed in public documents as 311 E 5th Series, a subsidiary attached to Finley Company.

The project site is about four-tenths of an acre. The space is currently occupied by low-slung buildings that were once home to the Trinity Hall event venue and House restaurant and bar (formerly Russian House), both of which have closed.

White Lodging declined to discuss more granular details of the development at this time.

In…

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Apartment construction on fire in Austin area

By year’s end, Austin is projected to rank No. 4 among major metros nationwide for new apartments brought online, a welcome sign of relief in a region starving for both rental and for-sale housing.

That’s according to an Aug. 23 RentCafe study which found that Austin is projected to deliver 18,288 apartments in 2022.

That would be a five-year high and continue a trend of increased apartment construction since 9,107 units were delivered in 2019.

Already this year, the Austin metro ranks No. 2 in the nation with 4,236 apartments delivered, according to RentCafe. Houston ranks No. 1 with 4,746 apartments delivered and Seattle ranks No. 3, with 3,232.

Multifamily builders are rushing to meet a huge level of demand. A July study by Hoyt…

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