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The new South Congress comes to life—but good luck finding parking

Although the pandemic has stifled real estate projects in much of the nation, developer Turnbridge Equities LLC managed to bring a unique, successful spin to Austin's South Congress area. By encompassing the same moniker as the venue's Music Lane sidestreet, from a branding perspective, the new, multi-use development strikes the right chord.
Designed by architecture firm Lake | Flato, the project is constructed along the north end of the South Congress entertainment district at Academy Drive. At a total area of just over 300,000 square feet, the site combines office, retail, restaurant and fitness venues.
(Leslee Bassman)
"A lot of people don't realize that Music Lane was actually first a street (off) South Congress," said Taylor Shepherd, communications and engagement manager for Endeavor Real Estate, the firm that serves as the commercial real estate leasing agent and property manager for a majority of Music Lane. "The development itself was drawn from that name and that street so we also love that it pays homage to Austin's live music scene."
She said the project aims to fill the gap between downtown and South Austin, with that goal reflected in the mix of local retailers as well as stores that are making their Texas debut in the project.
Retailers include:
- Allbirds, Buck Mason, Equinox (fitness)
- Everlane
- Frame
- Le Labo
- Lululemon
- Madewell Men's
- Manready Mercantile
- Nak Armstrong
- Neighborhood Goods
- Parachute
- Reformation
- Tuft & Needle
(Leslee Bassman)
"There was a strong desire from the retail community to be on South Congress, something upscale," Turnbridge Principal Roger Plourde said.
Deep and wide, he said two acres within the roughly three-acre tract that was redeveloped offered the opportunity to provide individual tenant spaces within a structure featuring paseos and walkways converging at central spots.
The second and third phases were revitalized from older, garden-style apartments, Plourde said.
However, the timing of the project's opening—to coincide with Austin's iconic SXSW festivals—proved a bit frustrating for the developers as the pandemic took hold, Plourde said.
The first retail tenant, Allbirds, opened just seven days before the commercial district shut down in March, Shepherd said. Two other tenants also opened very briefly that week; however, all three stores closed shortly thereafter, Plourde said. But the project is now on track.
"That was a hard hit," Plourde said of the shops and restaurants that shuttered due to coronavirus precautions. "That was a really tough time for us but I think all of our tenants showed a great deal of resilience. They're all back and with their doors open now."
Four restaurants are now open as well as 14 vendors, with only one retail space remaining to be filled, Shepherd said. Austin-based jeweler Nak Armstrong welcomed customers in his first flagship store on Dec. 8, she said. Global design and strategy firm, Frog Design, erected its sign two days later, and is slated to take occupancy in January, Plourde said.
Restaurants include:
- Aba, Prim and Proper (within Neighborhood Goods)
- Sunlife Organics
- Sweetgreen
- Two Hands
According to Bea Reeve-Tucker, communications assistant for Soho House & Co., an offshoot of the London-based exclusive club is slated to be included among Music Lane's inhabitants this summer. The approximately 65,000-square-foot site will be the community's first in Austin and third in the U.S., following New York and Los Angeles openings.
The private group attracts members in creative industries and offers an environment for living, relaxing and dining. The Austin facility will feature a rooftop pool, a members' screening room and 46 bedrooms, Reeve-Tucker stated in an email to Austonia.
Mediterranean restaurant Aba, named for the Hebrew word "father," chose Music Lane as its inaugural location outside of the Windy City. The eatery, owned by dining enterprise Lettuce Entertain You, is centered around a prominent oak tree and, serendipitously, had planned for 70% of its seating to be outdoors, even before the pandemic hit, said Lettuce Associate Partner Sue Kim who recently relocated to Austin.
(Leslee Bassman)
The group had been "enamored" with the city for quite some time, she said, visiting for a company retreat in 2017 before the opportunity to join the Music Lane community came along.
"I think South Congress has been a historic part of this city," Kim said. "The location is terrific: it's close to downtown, it's adjacent to some of the existing restaurants and history."
She said the nearby neighborhoods of Bouldin and Travis Heights can benefit from its residents having the amenities that Music Lane offers. And, the project's landscape, its openness and tree preservation, is also a draw for customers, she said.
Shepherd credits Aba's success to its strong following in Chicago's Fulton Market District.
"Aba, as a concept, is about Mediterranean dining and creating this oasis, making people feel like you just landed somewhere in the Mediterranean and have this lush greenery," Kim said. "This is what we created in Chicago on a very large scale roof deck. So, in many ways, it was a really perfect concept for this area given that we wrapped our patio around this beautiful, beautiful oak tree. It is a landmark piece."
Local design and architecture firm Gensler became the development's anchor tenant in March, occupying two floors, or roughly half of the project's approximately 52,000 total square feet of office space, including a skylight, double-story staircase and a 10-foot by 26-foot digital wall, Managing Director Todd Runkle said. However, due to all of its employees working remotely while the pandemic is in play, the new offices wait to be filled, he said.
"There's nothing like this," Runkle said of Music Lane. "We, at Gensler, felt it was about being a part of Austin. That's really why we wanted to be down here. It was a project and space that we thought reflected Austin and where we want to be in the future."
Gensler's 147 employees have recently been working on large-scale projects including creating the Austin FC soccer stadium; developing the city's soon-to-be largest tower, 6XGuadalupe; renovating the University of Texas Moody Center's basketball arena; and expanding the Austin Convention Center. With room for up to 220 employees, the new Music Lane office provides space for the company to grow.
Tritium Partners and Deloitte have joined Gensler as office tenants in the complex.
(Isabella Lopes)
Music Lane is in sync with surrounding venues created by former Bunkhouse Group hotelier Liz Lambert, including the recently opened Hotel Magdalena, an 86-room South Congress lodging at Music and Academy, and established Hotel Saint Cecilia that is adding residential units to its site.
But, feedback from locals isn't all positive.
"It's like they built a little domain down there," said Alan Barnett, owner of South Congress gift and accessory shop Prima Dora, after eyeing the Music Lane project. "I'm not sure if I like it or not. I'm trying to be open minded about it. But at the same time, it's like, now you're changing us too much, Austin."
After settling in the neighborhood about two decades ago, he's "watched some incredible houses being moved out of this neighborhood and very modern things being built here."
Barnett touts the area's popularity as stemming from its vintage homes and large trees.
"And now getting rid of those houses, it's going to look like anywhere else," he said.
Diners and shoppers are also unhappy with the scarcity of parking at the new venue.
Shepherd said that issue may stem from patrons not being aware of the project's parking garage—an underground facility that can hold 496 vehicles.
To get the word out about the garage and the development, she said Music Lane and the South Congress Shopping District held the SoCo Stroll this month. The event features holiday activities, retailer discounts and performances through Dec. 31.
Despite the pandemic, construction at Music Lane has been able to continue, Shepherd said.
"We've just been very fortunate to have the majority of our tenants open safely," she said.
Laura Figi contributed to this story.
More on South Congress:
- Animal rights activist Jeanne Daniels destroys the Tarrytown ... ›
- Gentrification in East 11th St. Austin pushes out Black people ... ›
- Despite pandemic, love is sweet at South Austin bakery - austonia ›
- Hermes fashion brand to open location on South Congress - austonia ›
- What's new in Austin's retail scene, new openings - austonia ›
- The North vs/ South divide in Austin is a tale as old as time - austonia ›
- Austin's luxury Soho House opens today for local creatives - austonia ›
- Nak Armstrong Fine Jewelry opens flagship store on Music Lane - austonia ›
- Plans for new outdoor music venue in the works for the 'Live Music Capital' - austonia ›
- St. Cecilia condo has views as far as the eye can see - austonia ›
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(Austonia)
May's second election is here, in which voters will decide on the candidates to represent their party in the November general election after the winner in some March primary races was unclear.
Just like the March primaries, voters will choose which party they choose to vote in. Then based on location, each ballot will show which races are in a runoff.
In Texas, candidates must win at least 50% of the vote to be elected. In the races where the top candidate only received a plurality of votes, a runoff is being held.
Here's everything you need to know before heading to the polls.
Know before you go
Early voting for the Texas primary runoff election begins Monday and will last through May 20; Election Day is May 24.
The registration period for this election has passed; check if you're registered to vote here.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. As long as you're in line by 7 p.m., you can vote.
You'll need a valid photo ID to present once you're at a polling location.
Here are the early voting locations in Travis County.
View wait times at polling locations here.
Races to watch in Travis County:
Statewide
Lieutenant Governor
- Republican: Incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick won his primary in March.
- Democratic: Mike Collier and Michelle Beckley are vying to be the Democrat candidate on the ballot.
- Republican: Incumbent AG Ken Paxton is fighting for his seat against George P. Bush.
- Democratic: Rochelle Garza and Joe Jaworski will face off to be the Democratic candidate in this race.
View all the statewide races on the ballot here.
U.S. House of Representatives
View the district you live in here.
District 21
- Republican: Incumbent Chip Roy won his primary in March.
- Democratic: Claudia Andreana Zapata and Ricardo Villarreal are hoping to secure this vote.
- Republican: Dan McQueen and Michael Rodriguez are going head to head to be the Republican candidate in this race.
- Democratic: Former Austin council member Greg Casar won this race in March.
District 19
- Republican: Ellen Troxclair and Justin Berry are vying to be the Republican candidate in this race.
- Democratic: Pam Baggett won her primary in March.
(Pexels)
Fuel costs in Austin and across the nation are record high—and they're not going down anytime soon.
Average gas prices in Travis County are sitting a hefty $4.16 per gallon, according to AAA, compared to an average of $2.70 last year. Nationwide, fuel prices are at an average of $4.48 per gallon.
The bill per gallon is the highest ever recorded in Austin but experts don’t expect a reprieve anytime soon—GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis Patrick DeHaan said to expect new records on a “near daily” basis.
"There isn’t much reason to be optimistic that we’ll see a plunge any time soon,” DeHaan said, adding to expect prices closer to $5 by the end of the week.
Why are prices climbing? DeHaan says to blame low inventory combined with high demand, more expensive blends and warming temperatures jump-starting “driving season.”
While gas prices are marginally cheaper in Williamson and Hays Counties, between $4.12-$4.13, surrounding counties are locked into the same price range.