Tyndall condos at Robertson Hill

The Tyndall condos at Robertson Hill, a planned East Austin condo development at 8th Street & I-35, will offer a downtown alternative with views of the Austin skyline.

For the better part of a year, this 171,000-square-foot East Austin condo development has flown under the radar of most, despite its highly visible location along I-35 between 8th and 9th streets.  Austin’s own Momark Development, in partnership with Mathias Partners, plans the 176-unit complex, topping at 70-feet high, complete with a pool overlooking downtown.

Tyndall’s view of downtown Austin

Located at 800 Embassy, the project will develop a vacant lot that has been in play for some time, but never saw any dirt turned. The Tyndall condos are designed by Humphreys & Partners Architects with interiors [rumored] to be fashioned by Joel Mozersky.

I’m enthused about this project, for a couple reasons. First off: Momark does good work.  Led by Terry Mitchell, experienced Austin developer who has embraced urbanist causes.  So, I’m pleased to see a project from a local firm.  Second: Almost all the developable land adjacent to the east side of I-35 has been developed as apartments for rent.  Notably, the Eleven Austin owned by the Forestar and the AMLI Eastside national apartment chain.  As a general rule, and there are certainly exceptions, apartment buildings like the former offering 6-12 month leases and escalating rents do not foster the same level of community ownership that comes with residents who are invested with equity in their home, and intending to be there for years to come (let the flame wars commence!).

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Interestingly, site plans for the project were approved some time ago, under the predecessor name or pseudonym “8ATX”.  A YouTube video featuring a drone pilot simulating views from the building was posted back in February.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkrqM4Xrb_w&w=500

The Tyndall at Robertson Hill will be the fourth major East Austin residential development planned along the I-35 corridor.  It is a bit curious that the Tyndall hasn’t made more headlines like the planned redevelopment of the RBJ Center at Nash Hernandez and I-35, or the Plaza Saltillo redevelopment which is only four blocks south.  Nor has it been brought up at (that I’ve seen anyway) in the context of the contentious One Two East project proposed four blocks north.  Granted it’s not seeking out the same building height variance as that project.  Still given the heated commentary about east Austin condo development, perhaps it is by design that the project has kept a low profile.

-Jude