Latest news with #TheDomain
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TCU hired a major Austin developer to reimagine West Berry. Here's their vision
When TCU decided to set a goal of turning West Berry Street into a top destination in Fort Worth, it hired a development firm behind some of Austin's most transformative projects. The redevelopment of West Berry is one part of TCU's ambitious growth plan, a partnership with private developers that includes over $500 million in outside investment. Construction has already begun along West Berry Street, but the Austin firm — Endeavor Real Estate Group — is just getting started. TCU selected Endeavor after a competitive national search to build new off-campus student housing. Endeavor's $82.9 million mixed-use project, named Morado on Berry, will add 780 beds for students and 25,000 square feet of street-level retail space. It's expected to open ahead of the fall 2027 semester. Morado isn't Endeavor's first rodeo when it comes to landmark developments. The firm has worked on a variety of projects in Texas, Utah and Tennessee, including two major mixed-use projects in Austin: The Domain and Saltillo. Known as Austin's 'second downtown,' The Domain's first phase opened in 2007 about 10 miles north of the city center. It now has over 2,000 multifamily housing units, 1.3 million square feet of retail space and 2.3 million square feet of offices. Some of the high-profile tenants include luxury stores Louis Vuitton, Versace and Gucci, and offices for major tech firms including Amazon, Meta and IBM. The Domain spurred other development, including construction of the Q2 Stadium for the Austin FC soccer team in 2021. Last year, the city of Austin approved zoning changes to allow for increased density and building height, possibly paving the way for towers. Saltillo is a transit-oriented development near a CapMetro Rail stop in East Austin. Spanning six blocks, it's home to roughly 800 apartments, 152,000 square feet of offices and 115,000 square feet of retail space. Jake Newman, principal at Endeavor Real Estate Group, said Morado will have a transformative effect on West Berry Street, turning it into the gateway to TCU's campus. Newman is leading the project; prior to joining Endeavor in late 2023, he spent 21 years at American Campus Communities, the private developer building on-campus housing at TCU. Once construction is complete, Morado will be managed by American Campus Communities. Both developers' projects will be supported by $500 million in outside investment that TCU garnered for student housing. Newman said Morado will consist primarily of three-bedroom units, though floor plans ranging from studio to five-bedroom units will also be available. Residents will rent each bedroom individually, instead of one student signing a lease for an entire apartment and finding roommates. Each apartment will have a shared kitchen and bathroom, and every bedroom will accommodate one student. Initial renderings show bright, light-filled spaces accented by tile entryways and pale wood details. Amenities include study spaces, lounges and a rooftop pool. The gym boasts a pilates studio, its curved walls outlined by the glow of soft led lights (not unlike the gym at Fort Worth's luxury Canyon Ranch Wellness Club and Spa). Newman said Morado is more market-rate than luxury housing, adding that rents will be 'commensurate with the market.' Endeavor expects that on-campus dormitories will serve as a pipeline for Morado. Marketing for the property will begin this summer at orientation events for the class of 2029, the first group of students eligible to live in the building come fall 2027. Retail tenants will include businesses that appeal to those who live in neighborhoods near TCU, Newman said. Interest in retail space has been high, and Newman expects the majority of tenants will be food and beverage focused. 'We want to put retailers in there that the community wants to come and have a cup of coffee, or have dinner or maybe shop and just really upgrade the whole area is what our goal is,' Newman said. Available commercial space includes a spot for a freestanding restaurant with a large patio, over 13,000 square feet of retail space along West Berry Street and over 5,000 square feet of retail off Cockrell Avenue, behind the TCU campus store. Morado's parking garage will have 175 spaces for retail customers. Endeavor hopes to open storefronts at the same time as the building in 2027. Endeavor's project includes adding a new traffic light at the intersection of West Berry Street and Greene Avenue. The light will slow traffic and allow for better pedestrian mobility. It will also funnel walkers heading to TCU's campus through the retail portion of Endeavor's development. Newman said Endeavor wants Morado to emulate the greenspace design of Austin's mixed-use Music Lane development along South Congress Avenue, an 'urban oasis' of diverse boutiques, restaurants and hotels. Music Lane serves as a gateway between downtown and the popular South Congress district. 'Really great public spaces that give you a respite from the road,' Newman said. Morado on Berry is just the beginning. 'It'll be transformational, because this is our first phase,' Newman said. 'There's more phases to the east that we're looking at as well.' Endeavor's marketing materials for the project show a possible 'Morado District on Berry,' which would include an additional phase of development. A map of the 'future phase' shows at least three new buildings next door to Molly Reid Hall (formerly the Grandmarc at Westberry Place), on two blocks where Kings Liquor, the TCU police department and Kubes Jewelers are currently located. The proposed structures are laid out similarly to the parking garage, mixed-use housing facility and academic building TCU envisioned on the property in its master plan, an outline for future campus development released in August. But the pathway to development isn't yet clear. The roughly 0.31-acre jewelry store property at 2700 W. Berry St. is owned by Kubes Family Partnership LTD, according to county records. TCU owns the property the liquor store and police department sit on. The police department will relocate to a facility in a 950-space parking garage being built on the east side of campus. The project is expected to be complete by spring 2027. Newman said it's too early to discuss a second phase of development. He added that Endeavor has the capacity to work on two projects at once and is working with TCU to determine a timeline for additional projects. TCU still needs to give the green light for any additional development to move forward. 'We're just looking to really create this sense of arrival for TCU at the southern edge that really energizes the overall campus and really helps TCU get to where they want to be as a university,' Newman said.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Museum of Ice Cream at the Domain is closing its doors
The Museum of Ice Cream's Austin location is officially closing its doors. The Museum of Ice Cream, which began in New York as an interactive pop-up that kickstarted the "Instagram Museum" trend, opened a location at the Domain in Austin in the summer of 2021. Located at the Domain next door to North Italia and across from True Food Kitchen, Austinites could access five treats and 12 interactive exhibits for a little over $20 per person. According to its website, the museum is closing its doors at the conclusion of its lease, but is looking for a new location in central Austin. "After an incredible four-year run, Museum of Ice Cream at The Domain will be closing its doors at the conclusion of our lease," the museum's website reads. "This was our first museum to open after COVID, and it has become a true Austin staple—thanks to YOU! ... While this marks the end of our time at The Domain, it's not goodbye forever. We're on the hunt for a new home in central Austin and hope to welcome you back in the future!" The Museum of Ice Cream filed a WARN notice last week, announcing that it would lay off 38 employees, with their final day being July 10. The museum has not responded to requests for comment about the museum's closing or the layoffs. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Museum of Ice Cream to close its Domain location this summer
Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
‘A real head scratcher': NSW Arts Minister slams Sydney City parks event ban following controversial council decision
The New South Wales Arts Minister has labelled a reaffirmed event ban slapped on Sydney City parks a 'real head-scratcher' following the Lord Mayor Clover Moore-led council's decision to prioritise grass over festivities. The extraordinary ban on events in the city's parks was introduced by the Lord Mayor in 2022 after grass was damaged at venues including Prince Alfred Park in the aftermath of events such as the Night Noodle Markets. A proposal to reverse the policy was struck down at a Sydney City council meeting on Monday. Speaking with Sky News Host Laura Jayne on Thursday, NSW Arts Minister John Graham admitted he was baffled by the decision. Mr Graham said the state government has been working closely with the council on the idea of making Sydney a '24-hour city'. 'It's the first time in a couple of generations that the state and the city have been aligned. We want Sydney to be a 24-hour city, and that's great news, the state and the city working hand in hand to make that happen,' said the minister. 'That's why it's a real head-scratcher to see this answer, a blanket ban on parks, at the same time as we're trying to encourage music and entertainment back around the clock in Sydney.' Asked about whether the NSW government could overrule the council's controversial ban, Mr Graham said 'this will be a discussion'. 'But it will be a public discussion because we want a better answer here,' the Minister said. 'These are council parks, but the idea that we can't use any of them for these sorts of big events, these big chances for the community to come together, is one we'd like to be reconsidered.' The notices of motion from Monday's meeting noted that climate change "is accelerating severe weather events," and that in recent years, increased rainfall prior to and during outdoor events had resulted in "significant damage" to large sections of parks. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday said the Lord Mayor had made a "big mistake" by instigating the ban and called for the decision to be reversed. Ms Moore in 2022 wrote to then Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes MP to make state-run public spaces such as The Domain more available, but acknowledged larger venues were not suitable or accessible to smaller-scale or independent events. A Sydney City spokesperson on Wednesday said the council assessed requests to hold events in parks on a case-by-case basis. 'We're continuing to review potential options that help balance activating the city and ensuring parks can be enjoyed year-round by the entire community,' the spokesperson said. 'We need to get the balance right to ensure people have access to parks as well as the opportunity to experience outdoor shows and festivals.' Restaurateur and chef Luke Mangan on Wednesday called on the Lord Mayor to stop Sydney City becoming a "nanny state". "Covid is gone, but let's get this city happening again," Mr Mangan said.
