• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TOWERS

Austin city life since 2007.

  • News
    • Condo Projects
    • Neighborhoods
  • Listings
    • Austin Condo Guide
  • Newsletter
Search
You are here: Home / News / Finally, East Austin’s RBJ Center Redevelopment Will Begin in 2018
Search suggestions: east austin • development • architecture

Finally, East Austin’s RBJ Center Redevelopment Will Begin in 2018

Adolfo Pesquera January 17, 2018 Comment

A view of the residential tower building at the RBJ Center site. Photo by James Rambin.

It’s been a few years — and then some — since we began following plans for a mixed-use project at the site of the Rebekah Baines Johnson Center, a senior housing development completed in 1972 on an 18-acre site southeast of downtown, and major updates on what’s planned have been scarce for years. Until now, that is.

This week, Momark Development and Southwest Strategies Group, the site’s owner/developer team, had their general contractor line up subcontractors for the project — meaning actual construction isn’t too far down the road. According to various documents outlining the RBJ Center’s redevelopment, the first phase of the project is referred to as Block C, with its site located on the southeastern end of the existing campus. Austin-based Davies Collaborative is this project’s architect, with Blu Fish Collaborative handling landscape architecture.

When all is said and done, further phases of development described in these documents could eventually bring 787 new residential units to the site, with affordable senior housing and market-rate units included, but for now, the Block C project appears to be the first stage of construction we can expect in the near future. A recent feature about developer Momark in the Austin Business Journal seems to confirm what we’ve found:

Momark is helping to rehabilitate the 16-story RBJ Center to add more affordable senior housing, plus mixed-income apartments, condominiums and 25,000 square feet of commercial space. The long-awaited project is in its final stages of site development after more than three years of addressing permitting hurdles surrounding heritage trees, impervious cover issues, water quality and legal access, said Terry Mitchell, principal with Momark. Construction on the RBJ Center is expected to start in June, Mitchell said.

— Austin Business Journal, Jan 9, 2018

An illustration of the planned mixed-use apartments at the RBJ Center.

Block C consists of two significant structures — a five-story, 181-unit, wood-framed apartment building, along with a detached 4.5-level, 109,540-square-foot parking garage containing 336 total parking spaces and fronting Comal Street on the structure’s eastern side.

The parking garage structure also includes 62 apartment units that are wrapped around the garage on the east and south at ground level, on three sides on floors two and three, and where the building faces the main apartment building on the fourth level.

The garage will also have work and conference rooms, bike storage, a dog wash room and the leasing office. Both buildings will be connected by a skybridge that will include three apartment units on the third level and a pedestrian walkway above.

The RBJ Center site plan. Two new structures (in yellow) are slated for the southeast sector, Block C, of the complex’s overall redevelopment. The parking garage is nearest to Comal Street and the apartment building is labeled Building C1. Graphic by Adolfo Pesquera.

The main apartment building height steps up, going from four stories by the skybridge to five stories on its west side.

The apartment mix will consist of 13.5 percent studios with one bath; 62.3 percent one bedroom/one bath; 22.1 percent two bedroom/two bath; and 2 percent of three bedroom/three bath. The average area per unit is 749 square feet, but the range goes from 468 square feet for studios to 1,505 square feet for three-bedroom units, according to the building matrix. The total area for the apartment building is 182,739 square feet.

Plans for the ground floor of the RBJ Center’s new building C1, found in plans filed with the city.

Other features in the main apartment building include a central courtyard with pool, a roof club terrace, a ground floor club and a yoga studio next to the fitness center.

The apartment and parking garage buildings also include roughly 5,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, facing a new internal street that connects to Comal Street. The new street is identified on design documents as Dilly Drive. The lone entrance and exit for the garage is from Dilly Drive.

Elevations for the RBJ Center’s C2 garage building, found in plans filed with the city.

It’s from the perspective of the new Dilly Drive that the renderings seen above and below are oriented.

One unusual amenity includes landscaping improvements that cut through the city parkland at the corner of Comal Street and Nash Hernandez Sr. Road. There are plans to turn a section of that parkland nearest to the garage and apartments into a dog park.

Looking north towards the RBJ Center site at the corner of Comal Street and Nash Hernandez Sr. Road. The buildings described above will be built on this piece of empty land. Photo by James Rambin.

Beyond the details seen in these plans, we don’t have much to work with, but it’s good to see development at this site actually moving forward after years of uncertainty. The RBJ Center is a one-of-a-kind piece of land in terms of its size and proximity to downtown, so here’s hoping whatever’s on the way does it justice.

East Austin Homes For Sale

  • $1,099,000 2606 E 14th Street #1
    Austin, TX
  • $1,150,000 2729 Lyons Road
    Austin, TX
  • $1,950,000 2107 Garden Street
    Austin, TX
  • $825,000 2102 New York Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $695,000 2106 New York Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $699,900 908 Brass Street #2
    Austin, TX
  • $1,498,000 1215 Maple Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $820,000 68 Mildred Street
    Austin, TX
  • $1,919,900 2114 Haskell Street
    Austin, TX
  • $724,900 800 Embassy Drive #401
    Austin, TX
  • $710,000 1220 Taylor Street
    Austin, TX
  • $899,990 902 Willow Street #2
    Austin, TX
  • $1,299,900 902 Willow Street #1
    Austin, TX
  • $1,699,000 2008 E 17th Street
    Austin, TX
  • $490,000 3101 Govalle Avenue #303
    Austin, TX
  • $1,200,000 3201 & 3203 Govalle Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $499,000 1803 Ulit Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $309,000 2220 Webberville Road #225
    Austin, TX
  • $975,000 1308 Walnut Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $925,000 1212 Poquito Street #1
    Austin, TX
  • $850,000 2509 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
  • $650,000 2907 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
  • $850,000 2909 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
  • $699,000 1001 Walter Street #2
    Austin, TX
  • $899,000 1001 Walter Street #1
    Austin, TX
2606 E 14th Street #1
Austin, TX
Photo of 2606 E 14th Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2215823)
$1,099,000
Lot Size
6,304 sqft

Home Size
1,572 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

2729 Lyons Road
Austin, TX
Photo of 2729  Lyons Road, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1033835)
$1,150,000
Lot Size
6,273 sqft

Home Size
1,872 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

2107 Garden Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2107  Garden Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3383605)
$1,950,000
Lot Size
6,722 sqft

Home Size
2,119 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

2102 New York Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 2102  New York Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8680230)
$825,000
Lot Size
7,972 sqft

Home Size
1,616 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

2106 New York Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 2106  New York Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3980341)
$695,000
Lot Size
7,963 sqft

Home Size
1,092 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

908 Brass Street #2
Austin, TX
Photo of 908  Brass Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8429608)
$699,900
Lot Size
3,594 sqft

Home Size
1,029 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

1215 Maple Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 1215  Maple Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 6128468)
$1,498,000
Lot Size
4,200 sqft

Home Size
2,243 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

68 Mildred Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 68  Mildred Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2389782)
$820,000
Lot Size
3,494 sqft

Home Size
1,106 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

2114 Haskell Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2114  Haskell Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9787101)
$1,919,900
Lot Size
6,752 sqft

Home Size
2,658 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

800 Embassy Drive #401
Austin, TX
Photo of 800  Embassy Drive #401, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1860215)
$724,900
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,214 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

1220 Taylor Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 1220  Taylor Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 5681212)
$710,000
Lot Size
3,276 sqft

Home Size
994 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

902 Willow Street #2
Austin, TX
Photo of 902  Willow Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 5104268)
$899,990
Lot Size
3,050 sqft

Home Size
1,100 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

902 Willow Street #1
Austin, TX
Photo of 902  Willow Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 4156514)
$1,299,900
Lot Size
3,568 sqft

Home Size
1,634 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

2008 E 17th Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2008 E 17th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 7898960)
$1,699,000
Lot Size
5,036 sqft

Home Size
3,034 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

3101 Govalle Avenue #303
Austin, TX
Photo of 3101  Govalle Avenue #303, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1965084)
$490,000
Lot Size
1,586 sqft

Home Size
1,040 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
2 Baths

3201 & 3203 Govalle Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 3201 & 3203  Govalle Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8222207)
$1,200,000
Lot Size
22,869 sqft

Home Size
1,560 sqft

Beds
N/A

Baths
N/A

1803 Ulit Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 1803  Ulit Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9925626)
$499,000
Lot Size
5,703 sqft

Home Size
1,160 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

2220 Webberville Road #225
Austin, TX
Photo of 2220  Webberville Road #225, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9514740)
$309,000
Lot Size
5,838 sqft

Home Size
527 sqft

Beds
N/A

Baths
1 Bath

1308 Walnut Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 1308  Walnut Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2362459)
$975,000
Lot Size
6,047 sqft

Home Size
2,124 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

1212 Poquito Street #1
Austin, TX
Photo of 1212  Poquito Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2873494)
$925,000
Lot Size
7,798 sqft

Home Size
1,625 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

2509 E 5th Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2509 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3151924)
$850,000
Lot Size
4,500 sqft

Home Size
1,552 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

2907 E 5th Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2907 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1640975)
$650,000
Lot Size
6,787 sqft

Home Size
652 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
1 Bath

2909 E 5th Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2909 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1235897)
$850,000
Lot Size
6,787 sqft

Home Size
884 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
1 Bath

1001 Walter Street #2
Austin, TX
Photo of 1001  Walter Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1489781)
$699,000
Lot Size
5,628 sqft

Home Size
1,090 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

1001 Walter Street #1
Austin, TX
Photo of 1001  Walter Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3034772)
$899,000
Lot Size
5,637 sqft

Home Size
1,939 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

  • 2606 E 14th Street #1
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2606 E 14th Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2215823)
    $1,099,000
    Lot Size
    6,304 sqft

    Home Size
    1,572 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 2729 Lyons Road
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2729  Lyons Road, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1033835)
    $1,150,000
    Lot Size
    6,273 sqft

    Home Size
    1,872 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 2107 Garden Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2107  Garden Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3383605)
    $1,950,000
    Lot Size
    6,722 sqft

    Home Size
    2,119 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 2102 New York Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2102  New York Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8680230)
    $825,000
    Lot Size
    7,972 sqft

    Home Size
    1,616 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 2106 New York Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2106  New York Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3980341)
    $695,000
    Lot Size
    7,963 sqft

    Home Size
    1,092 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 908 Brass Street #2
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 908  Brass Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8429608)
    $699,900
    Lot Size
    3,594 sqft

    Home Size
    1,029 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 1215 Maple Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1215  Maple Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 6128468)
    $1,498,000
    Lot Size
    4,200 sqft

    Home Size
    2,243 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 68 Mildred Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 68  Mildred Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2389782)
    $820,000
    Lot Size
    3,494 sqft

    Home Size
    1,106 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 2114 Haskell Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2114  Haskell Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9787101)
    $1,919,900
    Lot Size
    6,752 sqft

    Home Size
    2,658 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 800 Embassy Drive #401
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 800  Embassy Drive #401, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1860215)
    $724,900
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,214 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 1220 Taylor Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1220  Taylor Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 5681212)
    $710,000
    Lot Size
    3,276 sqft

    Home Size
    994 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 902 Willow Street #2
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 902  Willow Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 5104268)
    $899,990
    Lot Size
    3,050 sqft

    Home Size
    1,100 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 902 Willow Street #1
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 902  Willow Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 4156514)
    $1,299,900
    Lot Size
    3,568 sqft

    Home Size
    1,634 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 2008 E 17th Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2008 E 17th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 7898960)
    $1,699,000
    Lot Size
    5,036 sqft

    Home Size
    3,034 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 3101 Govalle Avenue #303
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3101  Govalle Avenue #303, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1965084)
    $490,000
    Lot Size
    1,586 sqft

    Home Size
    1,040 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 3201 & 3203 Govalle Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3201 & 3203  Govalle Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 8222207)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    22,869 sqft

    Home Size
    1,560 sqft

    Beds
    N/A

    Baths
    N/A

  • 1803 Ulit Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1803  Ulit Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9925626)
    $499,000
    Lot Size
    5,703 sqft

    Home Size
    1,160 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 2220 Webberville Road #225
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2220  Webberville Road #225, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9514740)
    $309,000
    Lot Size
    5,838 sqft

    Home Size
    527 sqft

    Beds
    N/A

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 1308 Walnut Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1308  Walnut Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2362459)
    $975,000
    Lot Size
    6,047 sqft

    Home Size
    2,124 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 1212 Poquito Street #1
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1212  Poquito Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 2873494)
    $925,000
    Lot Size
    7,798 sqft

    Home Size
    1,625 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 2509 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2509 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3151924)
    $850,000
    Lot Size
    4,500 sqft

    Home Size
    1,552 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 2907 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2907 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1640975)
    $650,000
    Lot Size
    6,787 sqft

    Home Size
    652 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 2909 E 5th Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2909 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1235897)
    $850,000
    Lot Size
    6,787 sqft

    Home Size
    884 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 1001 Walter Street #2
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1001  Walter Street #2, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1489781)
    $699,000
    Lot Size
    5,628 sqft

    Home Size
    1,090 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 1001 Walter Street #1
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1001  Walter Street #1, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 3034772)
    $899,000
    Lot Size
    5,637 sqft

    Home Size
    1,939 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

Previous Next
 

Editor's Suggested Posts

Major Redevelopment Project Near Lady Bird Lake Moving Forward

Major Redevelopment Project Near Lady Bird Lake Moving Forward

Refresh Your Memory on Plaza Saltillo's Upcoming Mixed-Use Development

Refresh Your Memory on Plaza Saltillo's Upcoming Mixed-Use Development

You Are Here: Lakeshore

You Are Here: Lakeshore

Related

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 78702, apartments, architecture, commercial, construction, design, development, mixed-use, residential

About Adolfo Pesquera

A journalist since 1984, Adolfo contributes to TOWERS.net on topics of real estate, transit, local and state government. Email: adolfo@towers.net

603 Davis Street #604
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
$649,900
10
  • Lot Size
    214 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,136 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Post: « Vertical Mixed-Use Headed to South Congress Near the St. Elmo District
Next Post: Five Things to Like and Five to Improve for the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Plan »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

FEATURED Listings

603 Davis Street #604
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
$649,900
10
  • Lot Size
    214 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,136 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

44 EAST Avenue #2310
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  EAST Avenue #2310, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9418770)
$1,425,000
40
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,260 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
44 East Avenue #1607
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1607, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3439383)
$1,250,000
36
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,221 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
608 Brentwood Street #A
Austin, TX
Photo of 608  Brentwood Street #A, Austin, TX 78752 (MLS # 3202099)
$989,608
33
  • Lot Size
    4,356 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,959 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

501 West Avenue #2103
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4503529)
$2,895,000
40
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    2,822 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    4 Baths

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

  • 360 Condos
  • Austin City Lofts
  • The Independent
  • The Shore Condos
  • 70 Rainey

Footer

LEGAL NOTICE

TREC Information About Brokerage Services (pdf)

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice


TOWERS realty

Austin Condos For Sale

Agents

Downtown Buildings

Luxury Towers

  • Four Seasons Residences
  • W Hotel & Residences
  • The Austonian
  • 5 Fifty Five at Hilton

Most Popular

  • The Shore
  • 360 Condos
  • Seaholm Condos
  • Spring Condos
  • Milago Condos

New Construction

  • The Independent
  • 70 Rainey
  • Austin Proper
  • Fifth & West

Loft Style

  • Austin City Lofts
  • Brazos Place
  • The Sabine
  • Plaza Lofts
  • Avenue Lofts
  • Brazos Lofts
  • Brown Building

Resources

  • Austin Condo Guide
  • Condos For Sale
  • Condo Buyer FAQ
  • Property Search

Featured

Archives

Newsletter · About · Contact Us · DMCA · Privacy Policy · SLAPP · Copyright © 2007-2022 TOWERS.net · All Rights Reserved
 

Loading Comments...