Apartment Building “Eleven” Making Fast Progress on I-35

Anyone driving on I-35, past downtown Austin, has surely noticed the progress construction crews are making on the 257-unit apartment complex, called Eleven, across from the Capitol on the east side of the highway.

With all of the apartment construction happening in Austin’s urban core, Eleven hasn’t garnered the same media attention as the downtown high-rise construction. Eleven will be a 3-story and 4-story buildings offering studio, loft, 1 and 2 bedroom units, plus parking. The community will occupy about three acres at the intersection of I-35 and East 11th Street, at the proper address of 811 E. 11 St.

The average unit size will be 793 square feet and the project is participating in the Austin energy green building Program. Phoenix-based Alliance Residential Co. will be the operating company.

According to the Spartan website, pre-leasing begins this year. For such a visible project, the development has a complexing and somewhat hidden cyber presence. I suppose the development really markets itself by virtue of its location, but here’s the backstory as to perhaps why its not that well-known.

Site plans for a four-story, 267,000-square-foot multi-family project – known as FMF Robertson Hill (SP-2011-0182C) — were submitted to the city back in 2011 for the same location. The applicant and site owner was BB&T, one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S.

(You’re thinking: “Robertson Hill? That’s the rental building next door, right?” Well, yes, once upon a time. But now AMLI has it, and has dubbed it AMLI Eastside. )

So, the site plan is approved in December 2011, then nothing happens until … drum roll … Magic Johnson saves the day!

In May 2012, Magic Johnson’s Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds – which also helped financed the W Austin – puts out a press release that it is teaming with Austin’s Forestar Group on the project and kicking off construction in 30 days. The new team also added another building to house a leasing office, fitness center, business center, community club room.

Which leads to a bonus if you ever enjoyed a glass of wine nearby at Uncorked and thought to yourself, “This is nice, but I’d really like to enjoy this view in a swimsuit.”

Magic Johnson did too (not really) and Eleven includes a rooftop deck that will include a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor living area, grilling area and courtyard with bocce ball, chess and a yoga area.