Two mixed-use developments, featuring affordable housing and cultural spaces, are set to revitalize vacant city-owned lots in East Austin’s Cultural Heritage District. Blocks 16 and 18 on East 11th Street will be transformed by these proposals.
City officials have chosen the Pleasant Hill Collaborative as the developer for this project. The group includes national student housing developer Servitas, along with local builders Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corp. and Topo.
The collaborative has proposed a $112 million redevelopment of Blocks 16 and 18, covering nearly 300,000 square feet of space. This development will prioritize neighborhood needs such as:
– Block 16: Will feature a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments and townhomes totaling to138 residences. Most units will be reserved for tenants earning up to or less than50%of the local median income; there will also be27,000 square feet dedicated for cultural venues including performance spaces/studios,and13,000 square feet designated for commercial use (including a grocery store).
– Block18: A four-story building that includes eateries,a central public courtyard witha performance stage,andhousing specifically designedfor Huston-Tillotson University students.
Negotiations between the city officialsandthe Pleasant Hill Collaborative are expectedto conclude soon.The project is scheduledto break ground in2025with its first phase openingin2027,followed by thesecondphasein2029.
