Construction on St. Elmo Public Market began eight years ago. The market never opened as promised and instead was put up for sale seven years after its initial announcement. PUBLIC MARKET TIMELINE
tra c owing throughout the day,” Cara Gambini, owner of Texas Hill Country Olive Co., which dropped out of the project, said. “Austin would be a perfect place for this concept, so I hope someone buys the property who can turn the project around.” The market’s initial developer was Maker Bros., a Dallas-based con- struction and real estate company, in partnership with Ground oor Devel- opment. The architect was Andersson Wise, based in Austin. Multiple attempts to reach Maker Bros.; Ground oor Development, including CEO Brandon Bolin; and Andersson Wise received no response as of press time. Also owned by Maker Bros., the
market and surrounding land’s total asking price is $22.5 million. Vendors depart In 2018, Dripping Springs-based Family Business Beer Co. announced its plans to join the market. General Manager Gino Graul said construction delays prevented the company from taking possession of its space in the market which was fur- ther exacerbated by the pandemic. In March 2020, the brewery o cially withdrew from the project. MaieB Hospitality, the group behind Austin-based restaurant Olamaie, planned to open a new concept in the market. The restaurant, an all-day diner and bakery named Mignette, is
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Marketed as including dozens of food and beverage vendors, seven restaurants announced plans to become anchor tenants in the market. All but one have o cially dropped out of the project. Austin residents have asked Com- munity Impact what happened to the project. Residents are moving into the only completed project from the vision—St. Elmo Apartments—just feet away, which remains dark. Accord- ing to several residents, the market was promised as a future amenity. “I’ve seen [the public market concept] work in several di erent markets. It’s the mix of businesses that keeps
Developers announce St. Elmo Public Market
2015
At least ve vendors commit to project ahead of anticipated October opening
2018
Opening delayed to spring 2019 COVID-19 pandemic causes construction delays 2020
Opening delayed to second half of year
2021
Fully nished-out market and land put up for sale
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2022
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The market, sitting empty and for sale, is adjacent to multiple housing projects currently under construction. THE MARKET TODAY
1 Congress Lofts at St. Elmo, 4315 S. Congress Ave. Future projects
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5
2 Bishop Momo, 4341 S. Congress Ave. 3 Public Lofts, 4361. S. Congress Ave. Existing projects
PHOTOS BY ELLE BENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Completed projects
4 St. Elmo Public Market, 4323 S. Congress Ave. 5 St. Elmo Apartments, 4323 S. Congress Ave.
The Yard, home to St. Elmo Brewing Co., Still Austin Whiskey and other businesses, opened in 2016 and is part of the district around the market.
SOURCES: PERRY GUEST COS., TRAVIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT, TRAVIS COUNTRY CLERK COMMUNITY IMPACT
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