more about “Austin, Texas“, posted with vodpod
Filed under: About Austin , austin
March 15, 2010 • 3:58 pm 0
New Austin Restaurant Openings
El Arbol (3411 Glenview, 804-4087, www.elarbolrestaurant.com), a chic, multilevel, midcentury modern spot serving authentic Argentinean cuisine, South American wines, and custom cocktails. Three new eateries have just opened in the Shops at the Domain.
The 45-unit Chicago-based chain Maggiano’s Little Italy (10910 Domain Dr. #100, 501-7870, www.maggianos.com) has settled into a comfortably opulent space where it offers fine dining, banquets, carry-out, and catering.
Friends from Dallas are pleased to see that the Austin debut of the popular Metroplex chain Gloria’s Restaurant and Bar (3309 Esperanza Crossing #100, 833-6400, www.gloriasrestaurants.com) has brought its brand of Salvadoran food to North Austin.
Austin’s second outlet of the Mexican-influenced Sushi Zushi (3221 Feathergrass Ct., 834-8100, www.sushizushi.com) was christened last week with a traditional sake cask-breaking ceremony. In addition to an eclectic selection of sushi rolls, Zushi also serves noodle and rice dishes, teppanyaki options, and other Japanese specialties…
There’s plenty of new pizza in South Austin. Look for the newest Double Dave’s Pizzaworks in Southpark Meadows (9500 S. I-35 Ste. E-300, 301-DAVE, www.doubledaves.com), which has pizza to eat in or take out and a delivery area covering a 3-mile radius from the store.
And the always-busy SoCo favorite Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress, 444-PIES, www.homeslice.com) has expanded to include a handy new take-out store just across the driveway, which might ease the wait for service. Drop into More Home Slice (1419 S. Congress) to pick up items from the entire menu any day of the week…
The best restaurant news I’ve heard in quite a while is that talented chef Marisela Godinez is opening a second outlet of El Mesón Taquería (5808 Burleson, 416-0749) later this month. The new location will feature Godinez’s excellent versions of authentic Interior Mexican dishes for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches in a newly refurbished building in the same neighborhood as Sazón, La Feria Restaurant, Pie Slice, and Olivia. Talk about a few blocks of good eating! Barring any more unexpected construction and permitting delays, the new El Mesón (2038 S. Lamar, 442-4441) should be open before the end of March, and we can’t wait…
Filed under: About Austin, New to Austin , austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market
March 14, 2010 • 10:22 am 0
New to Austin, February 2010
New Austin Development
San Marcos considers incentives for Alamo Drafthouse (AAS, 2/15/10) The San Marcos City Council is once again looking to bring an Alamo Drafthouse theater to the city’s beleaguered Springtown center at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
Pedestrian Friendly 2nd Street Corridor begins (KVUE News, 2/16/10) Construction began this week on part of Second Street in downtown Austin — the goal is to make the area more pedestrian friendly and cut down on traffic.
New Austin Business
Facebook is coming to Austin (AAS, 2/25/2010) BusinessSocial networking company Facebook will open an Austin sales and operations office, creating 200 jobs, Gov. Rick Perry announced this morning. You can find our story here. We’ll be updating throughout the
Chinese solar manufacturing company proposing $20.7 million Austin plant
(AAS, 2/25/2010) A Chinese solar energy company is proposing to build a solar-panel plant in Austin, investing $20.7 million and creating more than 300 jobs. In return, the city of Austin is proposing to give the company an 80-percent break on
Pioneer Surgical Technology to open Austin Office (AAS, 2/19/10) A Michigan medical devices company will create 30 jobs in Austin with the opening of a marketing and product development office later this year. Pioneer Surgical Technology announced last month plans to expand into Austin. The company will lease
Council OKs incentives to bring LegalZoom to Austin (AAS, 2/18/10) The Austin City Council unanimously approved an incentives agreement Thursday aimed at persuading LegalZoom.com Inc. to establish its regional Headquarters in Austin.
Austin Ventures team starts a new firm (AAS, 2/18/10) Austin Ventures veteran Venu Shamapant and three others from AV are breaking out on their own. They have founded LiveOak Venture Partners, which will invest in early-stage technology startups in Austin and statewide.
Quartet of ex-Austin Ventures execs starting own firm (AAS, 2/17/10) After more than a decade with Austin Ventures, Venu Shamapant is going out on his own. Shamapant is starting LiveOak Venture Partners, an Austin-based venture capital firm that plans to invest in technology-related startups in Texas .
Austin Business Expansion
HealthTronics’ new facility means 45 new jobs for area (AAS, 2/23/2010) |Barry Harrell|Last 7 days of headlinesHealthTronics Inc., an Austin-based medical technology company, is set to open a manufacturing facility that company officials say will bring 45 jobs to Central Texas.
Heatwave buys rights to shelved ‘Gods and Heroes‘ (AAS, 2/23/2010) BusinessAustin gaming studio Heatwave Interactive has bought the rights to a much-anticipated online game, and company officials say the purchase will bring more jobs to town.
Online college services company raises $5.5 million in venture backing (AAS, 2/19/10) Austin-based MyEdu , an online service for college students, has raised $5.5 million from Bain Capital Ventures to expand its marketing efforts and product development.
Applied Nanotech grabs $100K Army contract (ABJ, 2/18/10) Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: APNT) was awarded a $100,000 contract from the U.S. Army, officials said today.
HealthYes! now in Oklahoma (ABJ, 2/18/10) Exactly a week after adding Colorado to its service area, Austin-based mobile medical screener HealthYes! added Oklahoma to the bill today.
Valence inks deal with world’s largest yacht builder (ABJ, 2/18/10) Valence Technology Inc. signed a multi-year supply agreement with BJ Technologie, a division of Bénéteau Group, the world’s largest sailing yacht manufacturer.
Valence to provide batteries for hybrid yachts (AAS, 2/18/10) Austin-based Valence Technology Inc. said it signed an agreement to provide rechargeable batteries to the world’s largest sailing yacht maker. Beneteau Group will use Valence batteries in all of its hybrid electric boats that use a hybrid drive.
Cielo Wind Power moves forward with $1.5B wind farm (ABJ, 2/16/10) Cielo Wind Power LP today moved forward with a $1.5 billion West Texas wind farm project, according to a press release from the Austin company’s partners in the deal.
Heart Hospital purchased by St. David’s, MedCath Corp. for nearly $84 million (Community Impact Newspaper, 2/17/10) MedCath Corporation and its physician partners have agreed to purchase The Heart Hospital of Austin to St. David’s Healthcare Partnership for approximately $83.6 million, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing released Feb. 17.
Seton, St. David’s competing for STAR Flight headquarters (Community Impact Newspaper, 2/16/10) Travis County Commissioners are considering competing bids from Austin’s two hospital systems to decide where to base the Austin–Travis County EMS System’s STAR Flight helicopters. Both Seton Family of Hospitals and St. David’s HealthCare have offered to pay for a new facility.
St. Jude Expanding (AAS, 2/16/10) AUSTIN (Austin American-Statesman) – Minnesota-based St. Jude Medical Inc. has signed an 85,000-sf lease in Palisades West at Bee Cave Rd. and Loop 360 in preparation for its headquarters expansion.
Austin Retail
The Domain Phase II opens Friday
(ABJ, 2/24/2010) The second phase of the closely-watched Domain retail, office and residential project opens Friday, with some retailers coming on line in April. (SPG) [More]
Aéropostale comes to The Domain
(Community Impact Newspaper, 2/23/2010)Teen fashion retailer, Aéropostale, will open it’s newest location on Feb. 26 in The Domain.
First Texas Honda plans bigger, greener home
(AAS, 2/17/2010) First Texas Honda has two goals for its new home: to go big and to go green. The dealership is moving to a larger location near Steck Avenue and MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1), and sustainability will be a focus of the new construction.
Austin getting a Mini dealership
(AAS, 2/11/2010) Austin’s first Mini car dealership is set to open next month. The dealership will be next to BMW of Austin, which is at 7011 McNeil Drive.
Dillard’s sets March 11 opening for Domain store
(AAS, 2/10/2010) Dillard’s to open Domain store next month with fashion shows, music Dillard’s Inc.
Office Depot Goes for Gold (AAS, 2/23/10) AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) – Office Depot Inc. will open a store this summer that is expected to receive the LEED Gold rating, making it the second Austin location with the designation.
Star Furniture relocating to I-35 showroom this fall (AAS, 2/22/10) Star Furniture plans to move this fall into a new 77,000-square-foot showroom in the Lakes@TechRidge shopping center near Interstate 35 and Howard Lane in North Austin.
Newflower Farmers Market opens in Bee Cave
(AAS, 2/10/2010) Natural foods grocer Newflower Farmers Market opened its second Austin-area store on Tuesday, with grand opening events scheduled for today. Based in Boulder, Colo., Newflower is a self-proclaimed “value-oriented” chain similar in concept to
Goodwill Industries in Round Rock opens
(ABJ, 2/8/2010) Goodwill Industries of Central Texas will soon open its new Round Rock store. [More]
Austin Restaurant Openings
Now Open: Rio’s Brazilian Cafe
(Austin 360, 2/17/2010)|austin360.com – Dining408 N. Pleasant Valley Road. 828-6617, www.howdoyourio.com. Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf adds 4th Austin store
(ABJ, 2/16/2010) Less than two months after announcing its third Austin location, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will open another local franchised store, this time in the new Domain II north of the city. [More]
More Kebabalicious on the way
(AAS, 2/10/2010) Thanks to a Twitpic from neiliyo, we finally have a handle on when we might get some Kebabalicious in the daytime. The Turkish wrap trailer, whose falafel from the location at Seventh and Trinity landed on my 25 Great
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop brings artisanal cheese to Hyde Park
(AAS, 2/11/2010) austin360.com – Food-drinkJohn and Kendall Antonelli know that Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, their artisan cheese store at 4220 Duval Street that opened today, won’t have the biggest cheese selection in town — after all, the overflowing cheese counters at Central
Former Driskill chef David Bull to open two restaurants at Austonian condo tower
(AAS, 2/19/2010) Former Driskill Grill chef David Bull said Friday that he plans to return to the downtown culinary scene in September with two restaurants at the Austonian.
Filed under: About Austin, New to Austin, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy
March 12, 2010 • 11:43 am 0
Austin No. 1 on Forbes list of “Cities Where the Recession is Easing”
Forbes.com in a 3/2/10 article lists Austin, Texas as tied for No. 1 on their list of 10 cities best surviving the recession. The city tied with Austin is Washington D.C. where an improving economy is tied to federal government related spending and growth.
Government spending has helped Austin as well, Forbes notes with .98% job growth reported between December 2007 and December 2009 – more than any other city in Forbes analysis. Their job growth projections anticipate an increase of 8.09% in the next 3 years.
Four of the top ten cities in Forbes’ list are from Texas. The reasons – tech, government and education industries that supplement the state’s oil riches. In addition, Texas cities didn’t see the spike in home prices and speculation in the housing market that led to the burst housing bubble that occurred elsewhere.
The housing market got lucky, if you want to look at it that way,” says James P. Gaines, research economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. We didn’t have excessive overbuilding, so we don’t have a big overhang of unsold new homes, and because Texas has among most affordable housing in the country, the demand sustained.
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Texas Economy, austin real estate , austin, Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market, Austin Residential, Economic Recovery
March 11, 2010 • 4:21 pm 0
CBRE Capitalization Rate Survey 2009
CLICK HERE for a great Cap Rate Resource,
CBRE’s 2009 Commercial Capital Markets, Cap Rate Survey for major metropolitan areas in U.S.
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, Texas Economy, austin real estate , austin, Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market
February 18, 2010 • 10:06 pm 0
Texas Economic Outlook, February 2010
Texas Recovery is at Hand, but Clouds Remain
Wells Fargo Securities Economic Group
The drag from the U.S. and global recessions on the Texas economy appears to have abated. Most of the state’s key economic indicators have posted some improvement during recent months, even though most still remain well into negative territory on a year-to-year basis. We believe the recession ended around the middle of 2009 nationwide, and the Lone Star State appears to have turned the corner at about the same time. Click here for more Texas Economic Outlook
Filed under: Texas, Texas Economy , Economic Recovery
February 11, 2010 • 12:11 pm 0
Real Estate For Sale – How Much Should I ask?
Do you want the good news or the bad? What a dilemna! Shoot straight with a client about what their property is worth and you risk not getting their business. Provide a number that is too optimistic and run the risk of getting their business but then being unable to sell the property and thus losing credibility and likely the Client.
My approach has been the “Give it to ‘em straight” approach for a variety of reasons. 1) I don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to sell or lease something that’s over priced in today’s market. 2) I don’t want to build a false expectation for my clients (i.e. that we are going to get 2007 pricing in 2010) and 3) I want to build trust in my Client relationship and I don’t see that happening if I’m painting a rosy picture when reality is a different story.
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, austin real estate , Austin Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate
February 10, 2010 • 9:23 am 1
Appraisals in Today's Commercial Real Estate Market …
Thinking out loud here but it’s got to be difficult appraising property in a real estate market with so few recent sales to use as comparables.
A discussion on appraised value came up recently with clients that are trying to get a property under contract. They need a loan commitment which will require the property to appraise for the contracted price (unless they want to come out of pocket for the difference).
#1 – With so few sales, how is an appraiser going to effectively come up with a property value?
#2 – So how accurate / reliable is the appraiser’s work going to be?
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, For Sale / For Lease, Real Estate Consulting, austin real estate , Austin Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate
February 7, 2010 • 5:38 pm 0
Dr. Mark Dotzour, "Four Land Mines" in path of Economic Recovery
Dr. Mark Dotzour, Chief Economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M recently likened the U.S. Economic Recovery to an armored vehicle, well built, equipped and manned by talented operators. But there are land mines to avoid as Dr. Dotzour explains.
Land Mine number one is the budget crisis faced by states, cities and school districts as a result of falling tax revenues.
Number two is the contraction of credit in the U.S. as business loans, mortgage loans and consumer credit continues to fall.
Third is what happens when the Fed stops buying new US mortgages at the end of March.
Finally, number four is changes Congress may make including rules for taxes, capital gains, cap and trade, and the possible windfall profits taxes and new financial institution regulations.
If these mines can be maneuvered through then we can begin to see meaningful job growth and then recovery according to Dr. Dotzour.
Filed under: Austin Economy , Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market, Economic Recovery
• 4:32 pm 0
Quarter 4, 2009 Austin Office Market
Office vacancy and rent decreased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to 2008’s fourth quarter.
Vacancy for Class A space was 24.9% at year’s end according to Oxford Commercial. This number reflects no change from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 of 2009 but also represents the highest vacancy level since the end of 2004 when it reached 26.8%.
Class A rental rates averaged $27.64 / square foot per year – the lowest level since the end of 2006, when the rates averaged $26.19.
“Until we start having positive job growth, the market’s not going to have a lot of leasing activity,” said Karen Judson, vice president of marketing and research in Austin for Transwestern.
Kevin Kimbrough, local partner for Oxford Commercial noted that the heavy declines experienced in the first three quarters of 2009 were not prevalent in the last quarter and in some areas of the city, pricing actually increased.
Kimbrough also stated that subleased space rocketed to the highest level since 2003, another sign of a weakened office market.
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Quarterly Review, austin real estate , austin, Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market
February 3, 2010 • 8:04 pm 1
Austin Retail Market – 2009 in Review, 2010 Outlook
Source: Weitzman Group / Cencor Realty Services
RETAIL VACANCY UP 1.5% IN 2009
As of year-end 2009, the Austin retail market reported an occupancy rate of approximately 91.5 percent, down approximately 1.5 percent compared to year-end 2008.
NATIONAL CHAIN FAILURES
The largest vacancies in the market were a result of national chain failures including Circuit City (2009), Linens ‘n Things (2008) and Shoe Pavilion (2008) and the the closing of a 50,000-square-foot Sportsman’s Warehouse in Round Rock.
NEW TENANTS FILL VOID
Some of the empty stores didn’t take long to re-tenant. Former Shoe Pavilion stores have been replaced by Austin’s first Buy Buy Baby at the Brodie Lane location, the former Mueller location was leased by Staples and natural food grocer Sprouts Farmers Market took the space at Great Hills Station in the Arboretum.
Linens ‘n Things three vacancies were filled in with Sprouts at the Sunset Valley location, Austin’s first Nordstrom Rack opened at the Arboretum-area location in October 2009 and Newflower
Farmers Market, a specialty grocer will open at The Shops at the Galleria in February 2010.
Other large spaces being back-filled include a former Hobby Lobby at William Cannon and Manchaca, which was leased by for Austin’s first Newflower Natural Grocer which opened in February 2009.
In Round Rock, Goodwill leased 21,400 square feet in a former H-E-B grocery space at FM 79 and I-35 for a retail location.
NEW TO AUSTIN RETAIL MARKET IN 2009 & 2010
New Retail Concepts to the Austin Market include Newflower, Natural Grocer and Sprouts. Natural Grocer, owned by Colorado-based Vitamin Cottage, opened in approximately 10,000 square feet on Guadalupe in the former Rooster Andrews space, and plans additional area locations in 2010. Newflower and Sprouts opened multiple locations in 2009, with more planned for 2010. In addition to the Sunset Valley location, Sprouts also opened stores in Rollingwood and Round Rock.
NEW RETAIL PROJECTS IN 2009
Domain II – 600,000-square-foot expansion of the open-air Domain project that opened in 2007. In 2009 Dick’s Sporting Goods opened an 80,000-square-foot store and in 2010, a 208,000-square-foot Dillard’s department store and an upscale Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas location are set to open. (The next phase of The Domain with Whole Foods, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue has been delayed, with Whole Foods not expected to open until late 2012 or early 2013.)
Kyle Crossing – regional project at the southwest corner of Kyle Parkway and I-35, added a second phase in 2009 with a 133,000-square-foot Target. Kyle Crossing’s first phase opened in 2008 with a 92,000-square-foot Kohl’s Department Store. At the same intersection, a Walgreens and a 103,000-squarefoot Lowe’s opened in 2009.
Stone Hill Town Crossing – 320,000-square-foot center located at the southwest corner of SH-130 and SH-45 in Pflugerville. The center is anchored by a 180,000-square-foot SuperTarget, and also includes a Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bealls, Petco and Office Depot. Home Depot opened at the project in 2008.
Burleson Crossing – regional project in Bastrop that added Best Buy, spirits superstore Spec’s and Carl’s Jr. in 2009 to a Lowe’s that opened in late 2008.
Lowe’s opened a 94,000-square-foot store at 3200 Highway 281 in Marble Falls.
StoneCreek Crossing is a 350,000-square foot regional project in San Marcos that includes a Target, JCPenney, Bealls and Academy Sports & Outdoors. The center is located at the intersection of I-35 and McCarty Lane.
NEW RETAIL PLANNED FOR 2010
One of the most notable is the 98,800-square-foot Walmart at Northcross, which will anchor the redevelopment of the former Northcross Mall and join existing retailers such as Conn’s electronics,Guitar Center and Walgreens. Walmart is currently under construction with this innovative store.
In Dripping Springs, H-E-B grocery is under way with an approximately 68,000-square-foot store at the southeast corner of US-290 and Rob Shelton Road. The store broke ground in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Also in 2010, an Alamo Draft House-anchored project is set to break ground at Slaughter Lane and MoPac (Loop 1).
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, austin real estate , austin, Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market
January 31, 2010 • 9:02 pm 0
Q4 2009 Austin Residential Real Estate Summary
January 23, 2010 • 9:45 pm 0
Q4 2009 Austin Commercial Real Estate Summary
| OFFICE | Vacancy | Avg. Rental Rate (Class A) |
| Q4 09 | 20.7% | $28.83 |
| Q3 09 | 20.7% | $29.10 |
| Q4 08 | 18.8% | $31.12 |
| INDUSTRIAL | Vacancy | Avg. Rental Rate |
| Q4 09 | 14.5% | $7.08 |
| Q3 09 | 14.4% | $7.10 |
| Q4 08 | 12.4% | $7.48 |
| RETAIL | Vacancy |
| Q4 09 | 8.5% |
| Q4 08 | 7% |
| Grubb & Ellis Commercial Reports |
| Office Q4 2009 |
| Industrial Q4 2009 |
Grubb Ellis, The Weitzman Group.
Filed under: Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Quarterly Review, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market
January 22, 2010 • 8:04 pm 0
New to Austin, January 2010
New Austin Development
Lone Star / Seton (ABJ, 1/27/10) opening Texas A&M clinical hub at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock.
Promise Neighborhood (AAS, 1/27/10) Two neighborhoods are moving forward with plans for a “Promise Neighborhood” which uses federal grant $ to create poverty level assistance for housing.
Schlitterbahn in Cedar Park (1/29/10) Cedar Park City council has unaminously approved a $360 million dollar water park with the potential to add 1,000 jobs.
New Austin Business
Sprouts Farmers Market (Impact News, 1/6/10) opened a location in NW Austin at Great Hills Trail.
Cinemark and 24 Hour Fitness to open in Stone Hill (1/11/10) 24 Hour Fitness and a 10 screen Cinemark will open in Stone Hill Town Center by year’s end.
Hanger Orthopedic Group (ABJ, 1/12/10) announced that it will move its headquarters to Austin and a 75,000 SF lease space in north Austin.
BizGreet (AAS, 1/15/10) is an Austin based startup that personalizes mass online marketing including Governor Rick Perry’s re-election campaign.
S3 an Austin software startup (ABJ, 1/18/10) recently completed a packaged suite of business operation services software.
Bling Gnome Studios (AAS, 1/19/10) a new Austin game studio, will launch a new Texas Hold Em game in early 2010 on Facebook.
Aloft Hotel (AAS, 1/19/10) will build a second hotel in Austin, scheduled to open in December 2011.
LegalZoom (1/28/10) This California online company is proposing a new regional headquarters in North Austin. They are looking to bring 600 jobs to the area.
Pioneer Surgical Technology (ABJ, 1/29/10) opening Austin office in April.
Austin Business Expansion
HEB Grocery (KVUE, 1/6/10) is planning more stores and renovating others in the Central Texas area.
Shermco Industries (ABJ, 1/7/10) is building a new service facility for its Austin operations.
Spiceworks (AAS, 1/11/10) has raised $16 million to expand is Austin based business.
Austin-based Golfsmith (ABJ, 1/13/10) expects to open four new stores nationally in 2010 based upon the strength of its 4th Quarter 2009 earnings.
CSIdentity (AAS, 1/14/10) plans to expand its Austin based business with a $35 million new investment.
St. David’s South Austin (ABJ, 1/15/10) is undergoing a $72 million dollar renovation and expansion.
Gila Group (ABJ 1/19/10) an Austin based business management provider has launched a new service line – on site credit union consulting.
Virtual Bridges (AAS1/19/10) Austin startup raises $4 million to expand sales, marketing and development of its visualization software.
Austin Restaurant Openings
My Fit Foods Austin, (AAS, 1/20/10)offering health-oriented meals cooked and packaged on-site for take-out and delivery. 3201 Bee Cave Road, Suite 105. 329-0003.
Cajun Pizza Place, (AAS, 1/20/10/) a pizzeria also serving po’boys and salads at 7318 McNeil Drive, Suite 111. 291-7997 .
Orange Cup (AAS, 1/21/10), a frozen yogurt store at 3400 Esperanza Crossing, Suite 100, at the Domain. 973-3819.
Austin Restaurants Coming Soon
Spicy Pickle (ABJ, 1/11/10) eatery to open its third Austin area location in 2010.
Paciugo (ABJ, 1/19/10), an Italian gelato maker is going to try for a second time, an Austin location. The company did have a location on Second Street, but it closed in recent months.
Maggiano’s Little Italy (AAS, 1/20/10) an upscale Italian restaurant chain @ 10910 Domain Drive, Suite 100, at the Domain. 501-7870.
Sushi Zushi (AAS, 1/20/10/) on Domain Drive at the Domain, the second Austin location of the Japanese restaurant.
Torchy’s Tacos, (AAS, 1/21/10) the fifth location of the restaurant. 4211 Spicewood Springs Road.
Wahoo’s Fish Taco (AAS, 1/21/10)is going in at the former Texas French Bread site at 1722 S. Congress Ave.
Wild About Harry’s a Dallas based hot dog and custard eatery is set to open its first Austin store this quarter in a location near the Domain.
Red Mango (ABJ, 1/29/10) a Dallas based yogurt franchise is opening 6 Austin area franchises in 2010.
Filed under: About Austin, New to Austin, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy
• 3:41 pm 0
New to Austin, December 2009
New Austin Development
Walmart @ Northcross (AAS, 12/3/09) to finally start construction.
21c Museum Hotel (AAS, 12/4/09) revised plans for the Waller Creek project to include a 31 story apartment tower, and a 13 story 250 room hotel with a modern art museum.
Upscale 27 room Hyatt Place (AAS, 12/11/09) planned for downtown once economy turns around.
University Park (AAS, 12/18/09) development at former site of Concordia Lutheran will add a movie theater and apartment complex.
New Office / Retail / Condo (27-28 story) high rise (AAS, 12/19/09) proposed next to Whole Foods downtown.
North Austin planned community (ABJ, 12/23/09) commences residential lots that will contain homes to be sold for the high $100’s to high $200’s.
New Austin Business
True Games Interactive (AAS, 12/10/09) plans to move its video game company headquarters from California to Austin.
New Business Expansion
Gowalla (AAS, 12/10/09) raises $8.4 million to expand in Austin.
New Restaurant Openings
Red’s Porch (AAS, 12/2/09) a restaurant billing itself as ‘half Cajun, half Tex-Mex, half Southern’ at 3508 South Lamar Blvd. 440-7337.
Twenty Four (AAS, 12/2/09) an around-the-clock diner specializing in chef-driven Southern comfort food at 600 N. Lamar Blvd.
Torchy’s Tacos (AAS, 12/2/09) at 4301 William Cannon Drive. 514-0767.
Izumi (AAS, 12/2/09) a West Lake Hills sushi restaurant and grill at 701 S. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), No. 550. 328-3333.
Frank’s Franks (AAS, 12/2/09) a hot dog stand at 815 Main St., Bastrop. 512-788-5362.
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (AAS, 12/15/09) the third Austin location of the California-based coffeeshop at 1000 E. 41st St., Suite 180. 351-8676.
Pearce Cafe (AAS, 12/15/09) a Thai restaurant at 17097 Pearce Lane. 247-9612.
Restaurants Coming Soon
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (AAS, 12/2/09) a specialty cheese shop at 4220 Duval St. Owners Kendall and John Antonelli hope to open the store by late January 2010. www.antonellischeese.com
True Games Interactive (AAS, 12/10/09) plans to move its video game company headquarters from California to Austin.
Wing Zone (ABJ, 12/11/09) to expand by 10 in Austin / San Antonio area.
New Austin airport restaurants (ABJ, 12/17/09) include Thundercloud Subs, Ruta Maya Coffee, Nuevo Leon, SoCo Market, Saxon Pub, The Tavern and the Hills Cafe are among the possible newcomers.
Filed under: About Austin, Austin Economy, New to Austin, austin real estate , austin
January 14, 2010 • 3:57 pm 0
Austin December Home Listings Fall 18%
Zip Realty is reporting that the number of homes for sale dropped 18% in December of 2009 compared to December of 2008.
There were 7% fewer homes on the market in December of 2009 compared to November of 2009. Click here for more.
Filed under: About Austin, Austin Economy, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market, Austin Residential
• 3:46 pm 0
Austin Housing Forecast 2010
Eldon Rude, local Director for Metro Study told a packed group at the UT Education and Conference Center yesterday that he expects Austin to lead or be one of the first markets to emerge from the current Economic Crisis.
One of the reasons given was that Austin never had the grossly overpriced residential market that the coasts saw. Click here for more.
Rude also noted that most economists project Austin’s job market to begin growing again by year’s end which is great news for the local housing market. A fundamental rule for new home construction is that jobs fuel the homebuilding industry.
Forecasts for new home construction in 2010 could be as many as 7,000 according to Rude, due to low supply of new homes combined with expected improvements to the local economy.
Filed under: About Austin, Austin Economy, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market, Austin Residential
January 10, 2010 • 7:23 pm 0
Austin New Home Construction Building Permits
Estimated Residential New Home Construction Permits
2009 Estimated through year end.
Preliminary forecasts for 2010 are approximately 7,400 per Metro Studies.
New Home Construction Permits
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009(p) | |
| Travis | 7,757 | 9,425 | 9,575 | 6,602 | 3,894 | 3,896 |
| Williamson | 4,209 | 5,444 | 5,738 | 3,907 | 2,402 | 2,156 |
| Hays | 1,960 | 2,124 | 1,992 | 1,527 | 1,348 | 748 |
| 13,926 | 16,993 | 17,305 | 12,036 | 7,644 | 6,800 |
Filed under: About Austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Quarterly Review, austin real estate , austin, Austin Economy, Austin Real Estate Market, Austin Residential, Economic Recovery
January 8, 2010 • 3:22 pm 0
2010 National Real Estate Market Outlook
2010 Real Estate Outlook
Real Estate Center @ Texas A&M University
Dr. Jim Gaines, Research Economist
Entering the second decade of the new century immediate economic prospects range from blurred to completely unclear. The just ended, “Bubble Decade” generated enormous… Click here for more
Filed under: Austin Commercial Real Estate, austin real estate , Austin Commercial Real Estate, Austin Real Estate Market, Economic Recovery
January 6, 2010 • 10:29 pm 0
AUSTIN MARKET REPORTS
Lone Star Rising
The Economist, July 9th 2009
Reprint From The Economist print edition Click photo above for The Economist audio.
2010 National Real Estate Outlook
Real Estate Center @ Texas A&M University
Dr. Jim Gaines, Research Economist
2009 Austin / Round Rock Market Report
Real Estate Center @ Texas A&M University
2007-2008 Austin Regional Overview
Austin, Texas Chamber of Commerce
Best Performing Cities 2009 Milken Institute
Austin / Round Rock, Texas Rated #1
2010 Austin, Texas Real Estate Forecasts
Grubb Ellis
Austin Economic Outlook
Austi Office Outlook
Austin Retail Outlook
Austin Industrial Outlook
Austin Land Outlook
Filed under: austin real estate
