• 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
  • Realty
Search
You are here: Home / News / Here’s Our First Look at Austin Energy’s New Mueller Headquarters
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

Here’s Our First Look at Austin Energy’s New Mueller Headquarters

James Rambin June 26, 2019 Comment

A rendering of Austin Energy’s new headquarters, seen from this perspective at the corner of Philomena Street and Mueller Boulevard. The project should break ground in the Mueller neighborhood later this summer. Image: City of Austin / ELS Architecture / Page

Groundbreaking is expected later this summer on Austin Energy’s new headquarters within the Mueller neighborhood, and the city’s trying something a little different for the estimated $150 million project — letting someone else build it for them.

The current state of the location of the Austin Energy office project site, located at the northeast corner of Mueller Boulevard and Philomena Street.

Catellus, the master development firm for the planned community at the former Mueller airport, will oversee the four-story, 275,000-square-foot Class A office project’s construction, with the city’s electric utility slated to purchase the building and consolidate more than 1,100 employees there at a later date. The details of that transaction are allegedly still being hammered out by Austin Energy’s purchasing group, but a presentation by city staff to the Mueller plan’s advisory commission earlier this month gave us a first look at the building, designed by California-based firm ELS Architecture with local outfit Page serving as architect of record– along with an amusingly candid set of bullet points explaining the city’s rationale behind letting Catellus handle its development:

Image: City of Austin

So let’s get this straight, the developer assumes all the risk, and we don’t have to wait seven years for a new building? It’s a refreshingly honest take on the city’s ever-ballooning timelines for many of its own projects, though whoever wrote this presentation likely didn’t mean it that way — they’re just stating facts!

A map of the Austin Energy headquarters in relation to other development on the way in the Aldrich Street district of Mueller. Image: City of Austin / Page

Still, there are benefits to this collaborative approach beyond the shorter timeline. Getting involved with this project now, rather than following the city’s more common path of leasing and retrofitting existing buildings for its needs, allows Austin Energy to actually live up to its stated values of “environmental excellence” — let’s just say the utility’s current 1980s-era office spaces at 721 and 811 Barton Springs Road, despite some of the aforementioned retrofitting, are not quite as energy efficient or sustainable as a new building could be.

The 1980s-era office building at 811 Barton Springs Road, home to some of Austin Energy’s current office operations. Image: Transwestern

Per Kim Doyal, a community engagement consultant for the utility firm, the new building will seek a five-star rating with Austin Energy’s own Green Building Program, along with LEED Platinum certification, though exact features of its design are still in motion. The city’s presentation on the project from earlier this month mentions extensive rooftop solar installations, which should provide roughly 12 to 15 percent of the facility’s total energy consumption, along with 64 charging stations for electric vehicles and the infrastructure for more further down the road. According to the presentation, the building is also designed to be easily expanded for another 100,000 square feet of office space when the need arises, likely by rising another floor. 

A view of the project from the intersection of Mueller Bouelvard and a new stretch of Garcia Street. Image: City of Austin / ELS Architecture / Page

Locating its headquarters in a high-traffic area like Mueller also provides an opportunity for community engagement, which Doyal says is a priority. “It would be nice if we could use some of the building in an educational way,” she says, with possibilities currently in discussion for a publicly-accessible space somewhere on the facility’s ground floor that could demonstrate green energy technology — smart thermostats, chilled water cooling, and so forth. The city’s presentation on the project also mentions community event and/or meeting space as desired feature, though the exact details on what that might look like aren’t yet clear. 

Whatever’s included in the final project, it’s certainly a little more compelling in its design than most city buildings — and groundbreaking is coming up quick. The city’s presentation last month indicates construction should begin on August 5, though Austin Energy can’t confirm an exact date for now beyond “later this summer.” Whenever it kicks off, the building is currently scheduled for completion by April 2021.

Mueller Real Estate For Sale

  • $879,221 4103 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
  • $525,000 1320 Robert Browning Street #304
    Austin, TX
  • $568,200 3705 Manorwood Road
    Austin, TX
  • $799,000 4100 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
  • $1,099,000 3811 Tilley Street
    Austin, TX
  • $774,900 1209 Bentwood Road
    Austin, TX
  • $825,000 4203 Berkman Drive
    Austin, TX
  • $942,766 2929 Moreno Street
    Austin, TX
  • $1,499,900 4709 Camacho Street
    Austin, TX
  • $990,000 4224 Threadgill Street
    Austin, TX
  • $854,936 4105 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
  • $899,999 4204 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
  • $979,000 2802 Tom Miller Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $996,861 2906 Moreno Street
    Austin, TX
  • $741,430 4013 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
  • $743,810 4015 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
  • $763,640 4009 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
  • $849,990 3111 Sorin Street
    Austin, TX
  • $873,405 3109 Sorin Street
    Austin, TX
  • $719,000 3805 Threadgill Avenue
    Austin, TX
  • $1,119,000 3809 Tilley Street
    Austin, TX
  • $1,050,000 4306 Nitschke Street
    Austin, TX
  • $699,000 3807 Threadgill Street
    Austin, TX
  • $1,063,990 3903 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
  • $930,641 4201 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
4103 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4103  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 8229534)
$879,221
Lot Size
1,743 sqft

Home Size
1,734 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

1320 Robert Browning Street #304
Austin, TX
Photo of 1320  Robert Browning Street #304, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1415615)
$525,000
Lot Size
458 sqft

Home Size
918 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

3705 Manorwood Road
Austin, TX
Photo of 3705  Manorwood Road, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7271292)
$568,200
Lot Size
6,839 sqft

Home Size
829 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
1 Bath

4100 Taniguchi Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4100  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1755622)
$799,000
Lot Size
1,743 sqft

Home Size
1,450 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

3811 Tilley Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3811  Tilley Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3049053)
$1,099,000
Lot Size
2,178 sqft

Home Size
2,210 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

1209 Bentwood Road
Austin, TX
Photo of 1209  Bentwood Road, Austin, TX 78722 (MLS # 9211094)
$774,900
Lot Size
9,105 sqft

Home Size
1,033 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
1 Bath

4203 Berkman Drive
Austin, TX
Photo of 4203  Berkman Drive, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2173833)
$825,000
Lot Size
2,183 sqft

Home Size
2,418 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

2929 Moreno Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2929  Moreno Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3881593)
$942,766
Lot Size
2,178 sqft

Home Size
1,957 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

4709 Camacho Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4709  Camacho Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1491628)
$1,499,900
Lot Size
3,328 sqft

Home Size
2,909 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

4224 Threadgill Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4224  Threadgill Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1772905)
$990,000
Lot Size
2,562 sqft

Home Size
1,996 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

4105 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4105  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6027187)
$854,936
Lot Size
1,743 sqft

Home Size
1,734 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

4204 Taniguchi Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4204  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3576238)
$899,999
Lot Size
1,743 sqft

Home Size
1,960 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

2802 Tom Miller Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 2802  Tom Miller Avenue, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7280955)
$979,000
Lot Size
1,633 sqft

Home Size
2,250 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

2906 Moreno Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 2906  Moreno Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2572568)
$996,861
Lot Size
2,178 sqft

Home Size
2,140 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

4013 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4013  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6317727)
$741,430
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
2,079 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

4015 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4015  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2328249)
$743,810
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
2,186 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

4009 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4009  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6974623)
$763,640
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
2,186 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

3111 Sorin Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3111  Sorin Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2741451)
$849,990
Lot Size
610 sqft

Home Size
2,283 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

3109 Sorin Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3109  Sorin Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 9412691)
$873,405
Lot Size
175 sqft

Home Size
2,286 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

3805 Threadgill Avenue
Austin, TX
Photo of 3805  Threadgill Avenue, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 8455423)
$719,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,487 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

3809 Tilley Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3809  Tilley Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7531407)
$1,119,000
Lot Size
2,178 sqft

Home Size
2,167 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

4306 Nitschke Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4306  Nitschke Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1630035)
$1,050,000
Lot Size
3,328 sqft

Home Size
2,248 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

3807 Threadgill Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3807  Threadgill Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2997525)
$699,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,438 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

3903 Taniguchi Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 3903  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 4981410)
$1,063,990
Lot Size
2,191 sqft

Home Size
2,227 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

4201 Margarita Street
Austin, TX
Photo of 4201  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 5349399)
$930,641
Lot Size
1,743 sqft

Home Size
1,942 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

  • 4103 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4103  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 8229534)
    $879,221
    Lot Size
    1,743 sqft

    Home Size
    1,734 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 1320 Robert Browning Street #304
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1320  Robert Browning Street #304, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1415615)
    $525,000
    Lot Size
    458 sqft

    Home Size
    918 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 3705 Manorwood Road
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3705  Manorwood Road, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7271292)
    $568,200
    Lot Size
    6,839 sqft

    Home Size
    829 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 4100 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4100  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1755622)
    $799,000
    Lot Size
    1,743 sqft

    Home Size
    1,450 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 3811 Tilley Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3811  Tilley Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3049053)
    $1,099,000
    Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

    Home Size
    2,210 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 1209 Bentwood Road
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1209  Bentwood Road, Austin, TX 78722 (MLS # 9211094)
    $774,900
    Lot Size
    9,105 sqft

    Home Size
    1,033 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 4203 Berkman Drive
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4203  Berkman Drive, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2173833)
    $825,000
    Lot Size
    2,183 sqft

    Home Size
    2,418 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 2929 Moreno Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2929  Moreno Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3881593)
    $942,766
    Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

    Home Size
    1,957 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 4709 Camacho Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4709  Camacho Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1491628)
    $1,499,900
    Lot Size
    3,328 sqft

    Home Size
    2,909 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 4224 Threadgill Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4224  Threadgill Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1772905)
    $990,000
    Lot Size
    2,562 sqft

    Home Size
    1,996 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 4105 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4105  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6027187)
    $854,936
    Lot Size
    1,743 sqft

    Home Size
    1,734 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 4204 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4204  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 3576238)
    $899,999
    Lot Size
    1,743 sqft

    Home Size
    1,960 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 2802 Tom Miller Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2802  Tom Miller Avenue, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7280955)
    $979,000
    Lot Size
    1,633 sqft

    Home Size
    2,250 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 2906 Moreno Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 2906  Moreno Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2572568)
    $996,861
    Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

    Home Size
    2,140 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 4013 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4013  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6317727)
    $741,430
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    2,079 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 4015 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4015  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2328249)
    $743,810
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    2,186 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 4009 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4009  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 6974623)
    $763,640
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    2,186 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 3111 Sorin Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3111  Sorin Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2741451)
    $849,990
    Lot Size
    610 sqft

    Home Size
    2,283 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 3109 Sorin Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3109  Sorin Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 9412691)
    $873,405
    Lot Size
    175 sqft

    Home Size
    2,286 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 3805 Threadgill Avenue
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3805  Threadgill Avenue, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 8455423)
    $719,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,487 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 3809 Tilley Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3809  Tilley Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 7531407)
    $1,119,000
    Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

    Home Size
    2,167 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 4306 Nitschke Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4306  Nitschke Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 1630035)
    $1,050,000
    Lot Size
    3,328 sqft

    Home Size
    2,248 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 3807 Threadgill Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3807  Threadgill Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 2997525)
    $699,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,438 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 3903 Taniguchi Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 3903  Taniguchi Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 4981410)
    $1,063,990
    Lot Size
    2,191 sqft

    Home Size
    2,227 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 4201 Margarita Street
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 4201  Margarita Street, Austin, TX 78723 (MLS # 5349399)
    $930,641
    Lot Size
    1,743 sqft

    Home Size
    1,942 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

Previous Next
 

Editor's Suggested Posts

After 15 Years of Mueller, Its Iconic Control Tower Has Never Looked Better

After 15 Years of Mueller, Its Iconic Control Tower Has Never Looked Better

Mueller's First Boutique Hotel Takes Shape in the Aldrich Street District

Mueller's First Boutique Hotel Takes Shape in the Aldrich Street District

At Austin Energy's New Rainey Street Substation, 'Modern' Is the Look

At Austin Energy's New Rainey Street Substation, 'Modern' Is the Look

Related

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 78723, architecture, city politics, design, development, offices, urbanism, walkability

About James Rambin

James is an Austin native and fifth-generation Texan, but tries not to brag about it. Email him anything at james@towers.net.

Austin Homes with Seller Financing available

Seller Financing in Austin
Previous Post: « A Tower’s Headed for Downtown Austin’s Historic Royal Arch Masonic Lodge
Next Post: A Closer Look at the 17th and Guadalupe Residential Tower »

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

2804 Lafayette Avenue #2
Austin, TX
Photo of 2804  Lafayette Avenue #2, Austin, TX 78722 (MLS # 6466792)
$679,988
30
  • Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

  • Home Size
    953 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

210 Lavaca Street #2711
Austin, TX
Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2711, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9784437)
$1,475,000
26
  • Lot Size
    109 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,423 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

View Virtual Tour
301 West Avenue #5103
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #5103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5945580)
$1,894,900
33
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,474 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

360 Nueces Street #907
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #907, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3584447)
$598,500
40
  • Lot Size
    131 sqft

  • Home Size
    852 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
501 West Avenue #3701
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #3701, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9503524)
$3,299,000
40
  • Lot Size
    157 sqft

  • Home Size
    2,517 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

  • The Independent
  • Fifth & West
  • 360
  • Austin City Lofts
  • W Residences
  • The Shore
  • 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
  • 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...