BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
In their own words
What else?
“We always look for three factors when building our restaurants: We have to have a good retail presence, a business presence, and there has to be a good area where there are homes. That’s why The Domain makes so much sense for us. With the other shopping, it becomes a destination for people to come out to.”
In February, Austin City Council approved a rezoning development request to allow The Domain to build taller, denser buildings. The changes allow for about 46.7 acres of land within the center to be redeveloped, which could lead to additional shopping, residential, hotel, industrial and office space, per city documents. The approved request states that for future redevelopment: • Buildings can be built up to 42 stories high. • There are no limitations on the maximum number of dwelling units. • The floor-to-area ratio, or measure of a development’s density, was increased to 12:1. While Domain officials were unable to comment on potential leasing activity, including residential or office space plans, due to property owner Simon Malls’ corporate policy, Esparza said The Domain is “getting better” with the addition of new brands. “I know there’s a stigma that the malls are dying, but actually, brick- and-mortar shopping is thriving,” Esparza said. “Simon had a record year last year for sales, passing pre- and post-COVID numbers. So consumers really love shopping in real life with family and friends; they crave that in-person connection. They like the immediate gratification of shopping in stores.”
Retailers such as luxury footwear brand Freebird are finding success in mixed-use developments, said Freebird Area Director Piper Livingston. The brand has another location on South Congress, but its Domain store features a bar and music stage. “I think a big part of what we were missing on South Congress was that interaction, and I think that’s what The Domain customer really loves,” Livingston said. “Being able to make a full space that meets retail, [a] bar and live music, is exactly what we thought the local Austin customer was looking for.” The last four Sixty Vines openings have also been in mixed-use developments, Johnson said.
KRISTOPHER JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF NEW RESTAURANTS FOR SIXTY VINES
“I think that there’s a little more support in [opening] in a spot like this; things are a little more streamlined,” Johnson said. “Overall, I think I prefer doing multiuse. I think it just lends itself a little bit easier to what we do.”
The Domain’s green space renovations will feature:
Another detail
The other component of The Domain’s reno- vation project is its green-space renovations of Century Oaks Park, which will add 22,200 square feet of green space to the center, and Agave Park, which will add 5,857 square feet. The opening of The Domain Farmers Market last November, held at the south end of the center, has also brought more outdoor opportunities for Domain shoppers, Esparza said. “The green space renovations were actually already in the works prior to the launch of the farmers market, but we love presenting a wide range of products and price points for our dedi- cated Domain shoppers,” Esparza said. “That has really been enhanced by the farmers market.”
28,057 sq. ft. of added green space
New landscaping
Terraced seating
Lawn space with live music stage at Century Oaks Park
Valet parking area at Agave Park
SOURCE: THE DOMAIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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