• Transformative Changes Ahead: Austin's Ambitious 2024 Development Projects

  • Jan 20 2025
  • Length: 4 mins
  • Podcast

Transformative Changes Ahead: Austin's Ambitious 2024 Development Projects

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  • Summary

  • Austin is poised for significant transformations in 2024, with several major development projects underway or set to begin. One of the most ambitious projects is the $4.5 billion overhaul of I-35, known as the I-35 Capital Express Central. This project, managed by TxDOT, will involve widening and lowering parts of the highway, as well as the implementation of "caps" and "stitches" to enhance pedestrian and bike access. The construction will span from Hwy. 71 to US 290 E, promising to improve both traffic flow and community connectivity.

    In the realm of healthcare, the University of Texas at Austin is witnessing the demolition of the nearly 50-year-old Frank Erwin Center to make way for a new hospital in partnership with MD Anderson, one of the country's top cancer treatment centers. This $2.5 billion project includes a second hospital tower and is part of Austin’s growing Innovation District.

    Downtown Austin is also seeing a surge in mixed-use developments. The Sixth&Blanco project will transform about two acres of West Sixth Street into a five-story complex featuring retail, hotel, and residential spaces. Meanwhile, Historic Sixth Street is undergoing restoration and renovation efforts led by Stream Realty Partners and architecture firm Clayton Korte.

    The Block 21 development, home to ACL Live and the W Austin, is undergoing $40 million in upgrades, including renovations to the hotel’s entrance, dining areas, and the addition of a new 2,060-sqft terrace at ACL Live. These public-facing renovations are expected to be complete by summer 2024.

    On the skyline front, the Wilson Tower, initially planned to be 80 stories tall, is now set to reach 45 stories, aligning in height with the Frost Bank Tower. Construction has just begun, and completion is not anticipated for some time. In contrast, the Waterline project in the Rainey Street district is well underway, with an anticipated completion in 2026. This development will include the 1 Hotel Austin, over 350 luxury apartments, and 700,000 sqft of office space.

    The city is also investing in green spaces with the second phase of Waterloo Greenway’s plan to transform Waller Creek. This phase includes the construction of three pedestrian suspension bridges, additional trails, multiple new public green spaces, and the planting of more than 1,550 new trees.

    In addition to these developments, Austin is expanding its infrastructure. The Austin Convention Center is set for a major redevelopment and expansion, with construction beginning in 2025 and the new facility expected to reopen in 2029. This project aims to nearly double the current rentable space to keep the center competitive in the convention market.

    At the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Barbara Jordan Terminal is undergoing an expansion on the west end, adding 84,500 gross square feet of new space. This project includes new passenger amenities, a mezzanine level, and apron-level airline support space, along with the replacement of 12 gate-boarding bridges and the creation of three new gates. Construction started in the summer of 2023 and is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

    These developments highlight Austin's ongoing growth and commitment to enhancing both its infrastructure and quality of life for its residents.
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