SEDL Facility at Mueller
Have you seen what’s happening at Mueller? If you haven’t driven the area recently, you might be surprised to see what is now standing where the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport once stood. I had the opportunity to tour the mixed-use project recently and was so impressed with this infill redevelopment that I wanted to share an update with you.
As master developer, Catellus Development Group has spear-headed the transformation of what has been unofficially dubbed the “Greenest Master-Planned Development in the Country.” Located only three miles from downtown Austin, the 700-acre site is home to a variety of commercial and residential development. Adjoining the more-visible 700,000 square-foot regional retail power center, anchored by the country’s first LEED Gold Home Depot, Best Buy, Old Navy, PetSmart, and Bed, Bath & Beyond, are a growing list of medical and general office buildings including the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Seton Family of Hospitals Administration Building (155,000 sf), Ronald McDonald House and the new home of SEDL (55,000 sf).
In addition to the commercial development, Mueller has already added roughly 800 new single-family homes – more than one third of the 2,200 expected at build-out. Phase II of the Mosaic at Mueller Apartments will add 301 units to the existing 441 units which are commanding Class A rents. As if that is not enough, there is also the Greenway Lofts (36 condo units) and the Wildflower Terrace (201 rental units reserved for seniors 55+).
Sure, that seems like a lot…but there’s so much more. Not only does Austin ISD have plans for a $28-million performing arts center, but projects currently under construction include more residential, an expansion of Seton’s Dell Children’s Medical Center, a new 4-story Marriott Residence Inn (112 rooms) and an 80,000 square-foot H-E-B which will be flanked by 30,000 square feet of additional small shop space. Work on the Town Center is just getting underway which will feature a market district along with the Austin Children’s Museum (36,000 sf) and Austin Playhouse. To accommodate traffic flow, both Berkman Drive and Barbara Jordan Boulevard are in the process of being extended.
What comes next has yet to be determined. There is a great deal of flexibility built into the master plan so additional commercial development will depend on the needs of the users that present themselves. In the meantime, the Mueller project is changing perceptions and building sustainable value in Austin.
Click MuellerAustin for more information.
