About the 1111 West Sixth Street Redevelopment:
The highly-anticipated redevelopment of the former Austin Independent School District headquarters site is nearing completion after a strategic pivot in design due to changing market conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2.7-acre tract will feature a fully-transformed four-story office building and refurbished parking garage on the south side of the property, boasting 70,000 SF and a modern redesigned façade, as well as a proposed 80,000 SF mixed-use addition along West Sixth Street in place of four buildings that were demolished. Despite significant changes to the original plans, the project is slated to be delivered on time in fall 2021.
Project Quick Facts:
- Location: Austin, TX
- Client: Schlosser Development Corporation
- Architect: Nelsen Partners
- Landscape Architect: dwg.
- Engineer: DCI Engineers
- MEP Engineer: EEA Consulting
- Structural Engineer: bdd
- Civil Engineer: LJA Engineering
- Industry: Commercial / Mixed-Use
- Square Footage: South Building - 70,000 SF | Proposed North Building - 80,000 SF
- Delivery: September 2021
CHALLENGE: Navigating a New Reality
In one of the strongest office markets in the county, the redevelopment of a prime office site located just west of Austin’s Market District was a top project to watch going into 2020. Developers everywhere faced difficult decisions when COVID-19 hit, and the owners of the 1111 West Sixth property had to quickly shift their strategy after one of two pre-negotiated anchor tenants pulled back from the project. Additionally, the project team had to navigate schedule impacts created by substantial design changes, new health and safety requirements, diminished manpower and a delayed supply chain for critical materials in the wake of the pandemic.
SOLUTION: Quality Delivered, Despite the Circumstances
Rather than pursuing immediate construction of the originally-planned 110,000 SF new office building on the north side of the property, the owner worked to shift the remaining anchor tenant to the existing south building that was being renovated. With this adjustment, American Constructors worked closely with the architect to redesign the south building plans to meet – and exceed – the needs of the tenant and create a better outcome in the process. The proposed north building was also redesigned to reduce its footprint to 80,000 SF and adapt to a new site plan that was adjusted for a future phase of construction.
RESULT: Technical Expertise and Thoughtful Execution
The project team’s attention to detail, creative design solutions, open communication style and ability to make decisions quickly allowed for a successful revision to the original redevelopment plan. By completely reskinning the existing south building, American Constructors addressed structural issues and identified opportunities for cost savings through new material choices in coordination with the design team. Our team had the foresight to prioritize critical long-lead materials and ensure supply chain issues didn’t delay final delivery of the project. Site layout and landscaping plans were also adjusted to account for the proposed north building to be constructed at a later date, without compromising access to the south building and parking lot or the aesthetics of the site in the interim. Despite significant challenges and changes throughout the process, our heart for service and commitment to collaboration with our clients ensured the integrity of the project was never compromised.