Domain/North Austin Development Updates

[Riverranchdrone]

Regardless of what you call it. Second Downtown, Uptown. It is way more than just the Domain. Once everything is built out, it will be pretty comparable to the actual downtown Austin 20 - 30 years ago. It has freeways, public transportation, a bar area, some fine restaurants, museums, a pro sports team, high rises. Ignoring some minor things like a street network and traffic signals. Its is a centralized business district. A.K.A Downtown. It has a bigger urban area than any surrounding suburb.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

1. 'Hey, I want to go out to eat.'


1. 'Okay. Second Downtown it is. Let's eat!'

It's more like

"Hey, let's grab some drinks downtown.

Uh, there's too much traffic (event is shutting it down, too far, etc.). Let's go to Rock Rose instead."

Unquestionably the Domain area is for many people fulfilling the functions of a downtown. Whether that's residential, special events, job center, or commercial.

It's "second downtown", not "Second Downtown"

I think it'll be interesting to see what dynamic develops if/when Robinson Ranch eventually develops, and what form it takes. That's potentially a lot of residential where the North Burnet area is way closer for them (by road or transit) than Downtown proper.

[IluvATX]

The Domain reminds me of South Park in Charlotte. It’s a neighborhood also centered around a Simon mall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SouthPark,_Charlotte

[randalls]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

The Domain reminds me of South Park in Charlotte. It’s a neighborhood also centered around a Simon mall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SouthPark,_Charlotte

Yes, I grew up in Charlotte and can confirm the Domain has a similar feel. Domain has a much larger footprint though.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

The Domain reminds me of South Park in Charlotte. It’s a neighborhood also centered around a Simon mall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SouthPark,_Charlotte

I third this. When I was at USC, SouthPark was the closest decent shopping.

It reminds me of a number of places, as it is a rather common model, to one degree or another:

Domain (Austin)
SouthPark (Charlotte)
Cherry Creek (Denver)
Atlantic Station (Atlanta)
La Cantera (San Antonio)

[H2O]

These type of large-scale, mixed-use, live, work, play centers are now the dominant form of retail in the country. Almost nobody is building large indoor malls anymore. In fact, many of the large indoor malls are being redeveloped to include a broad range of dense mixed uses. Highland is our obvious example, but they are exploding all over the place. The Domain is really three separate typical developments located on one former office park and is probably already one of the largest of its type in the country. With the addition of Broadmoor/Uptown and other peripheral development in the NB/G District, it will certainly be one of the most impressive in the country.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Novacek

It's "second downtown", not "Second Downtown"

This is a good clarification.

And yes, I think a lot of people from the suburbs, with whom I interact on a daily basis (especially those who aren't from Austin or have been here <5 years), consider anything Domain and/or Mueller as "downtown" because it's more of an urban feel than the burbs. Doesn't make it right.

And I second, third, and fourth the need for respectful discourse across the board. I've been grateful to be apart of this forum for a number of years now and have always appreciated the variety of opinions and inputs - and usually it's been a very pleasant experience.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by Novacek

I think it'll be interesting to see what dynamic develops if/when Robinson Ranch eventually develops, and what form it takes. That's potentially a lot of residential where the North Burnet area is way closer for them (by road or transit) than Downtown proper.

This is one of my favorite things to consider. That is such a massive plot of land and it could radically change the landscape of (mainly north) Austin. I would hope it's not turned into a bunch of shitty apartment complexes. Those developers are like vultures when any decent-sized plot of land opens up. I'd hope the Robinson family takes an interest in making actual worthwhile places. Something with the density level of Mueller would probably be good. Of course, I'm always wanting better density but want to stay realistic.

You're totally right. The North Burnet area (which is what we should probably start calling it instead of The Domain) will magnify in importance in a huge way. I mean, it's already begun but I anticipate this whole industrial area being transformed in the next 10-20 years. And, yes, that should definitely include parts of the JJ Pickle campus. However, unlike the Domain and Mueller, this redevelopment could be more organic and decentralized, since it's not owned by one single entity. I think the city will need to be very careful with how things progress in this area. A master plan/vision would be nice.

[H2O]

Originally Posted by Syndic

You're totally right. The North Burnet area (which is what we should probably start calling it instead of The Domain) will magnify in importance in a huge way. I mean, it's already begun but I anticipate this whole industrial area being transformed in the next 10-20 years. And, yes, that should definitely include parts of the JJ Pickle campus. However, unlike the Domain and Mueller, this redevelopment could be more organic and decentralized, since it's not owned by one single entity. I think the city will need to be very careful with how things progress in this area. A master plan/vision would be nice.

You are only about 15 years late to the party!

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/de...g_reg_plan.pdf

https://www.austintexas.gov/page/north-burnetgateway

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/de...way/nbg-np.pdf

[Syndic]

Oh yeah. I did know about that actually. I just wonder how much that Master Plan is actually influencing things in the area.

[migol24]

The real second downtown is the drag. The domain is a shopping mall.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by migol24

The real second downtown is the drag. The domain is a shopping mall.

You're joking, I hope.

The Drag lacks office space and less than half of the TSF of The Domain is dedicated to retail.

[migol24]

The Domain is the real joke.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by migol24

The Domain is the real joke.

To each his own...

[the Genral]

For those of us who remember when it was a sprawling IBM factory complex, I worked there, the transformation and repurpose of all that land is remarkable...to say the least.

[migol24]

Don't get me wrong. It's better than nothing. But for the most part, there is really nothing culturally significant about it. Even the towers there look more like suburb towers.

I've taken friends there from San Francisco, Chicago, etc and they scoff at the idea that it gets called anything as a downtown. It looks like a shopping mall. Feels like a shopping mall.

I highly suggest everyone here to take the bus there and see how it feels walking there. For it to be a "downtown" it does a very poor job providing for pedestrians. People that drive there do not yield to pedestrians. It's a haven for suburbanites who rather not make the drive to downtown.

There's a few things there I do appreciate. The coffee shops... and a few restaurants. Thats it.

Even the people that work at Houndstooth have said the same about the Domain. There's nothing even remotely that speaks to the culture of Austin.

But sure, yeah... to each their own. Just call it for what it is.

[the Genral]

It is and will always be, an option. Every time I go there, there seems to be a good crowd of people having a good time and sections of the Domain are quite walkable. I never considered it a second downtown, but more of a destination stop. I like it and enjoy it, especially since it's much closer to my house. I would like to see some 30 to 35 story point towers in with the mix though but they are really not that necessary. I'm glad Austinites have the option to visit the Domain as we also have the option of visiting downtown. It keeps things....interesting.

[migol24]

I would like for it to be more pedestrian friendly, not shut down so early and for them to get rid of all the big parking lots for me to really appreciate it.

For the most part, it caters to a specific brand. It's not a very diverse area. It's very yuppy and there is nothing specifically "cool" about it. All cookie cutter. I can see how it can be appreciated by the older crowd. It's fun in that sense. Great for families.

[Atom_Mirny]

FWIW I helped someone move out of The Domain today and the movers just called it "downtown"

"man I don't know how y'all can stand to live downtown like that"

[Syndic]

Hmm, I expected to disagree with migol here (because I usually do) but I actually agree with them. I normally defend the Domain and Mueller pretty vehemently but I agree that the Domain is essentially a shopping mall modeled after an urban landscape.

The streets are private, not public. The whole thing is split -- The Domain and Domain Northside -- between two private firms. Until the city takes it over from these private firms, it cannot be a true downtown.

That said, the Domain has influenced development around it which is leading to it becoming a second downtown. We just need to keep in mind that it's on it's way to becoming a second downtown but it's probably a couple decades away from that. But the forces are at work. It's happening.