Austin's office market has presented somewhat of an obstacle in pinning down a ground-breaking date for Building 2 in the planned 80,000-sf project, Combs explains. Nonetheless, it's apparent that all pistons are pumping at the max in the development nestled in the gateway to Texas' prestigious Hill Country. The 16,000-sf Building 1 is fully leased to four tenants, with Emergent Technologies holding the lead spot. And talks are under way with several banks to lure them into building a branch office on the sole retail pad site. "We're looking for something that's a complement to our larger office development," Combs emphasizes.

Sixth River of Austin has designed the Preserve at Bee Cave, with Bailey Elliott Construction Co., also of Austin, holding the general contractor's pact. The second phase will carry the Hill Country stone design and "will be in the same family (as the first structure) but they won't be identical twins," Combs says.

Bill Strawn, development owner, has pre-leased 3,500 sf in the proposed Building 2 for his executive search business, Strawn, Arnold, Leech & Ashpitz. The firm now offices in 2,500 sf on the site in a 1930s stone house that had been converted to office space. "They've outgrown it," Combs says matter-of-factly.