AUSTIN--Development in east Austin is heating up. Transwestern Development Co. and its partners are set to develop a two-building mixed-use project at 1621 and 1645 E. 6th St. The firm has broken ground on the project – with one building to be called The Arnold – on a 4.2-acre site at the intersection of East 6th Street and Comal Avenue.

“We are very pleased to get started on this exciting development,” says Transwestern Development Co. associate vice president Josh Delk, who is leading the development team. “This location is in the center of one of Austin's most culturally rich and defining neighborhoods, and we are thrilled to be bringing a project of this caliber to the area.”

The first building is a 94,500-square-foot creative office building, which is scheduled for completion in January 2016. The second building, The Arnold, is slated for delivery in July 2016 and will consist of 346 apartment units with 9,600 square feet of specialty retail at three intersections of the property.

“The Arnold and accompanying office building will add to the creative energy with its mix of office, multiple housing options and prominent local retail and restaurant offerings,” says Delk. 

The Arnold residential community will feature a large, resort-style pool, activity courtyard, roof deck with views of downtown Austin,  business meeting areas, state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga studio and classes by FX Fitness, secure bike storage and private-storage units.

Each unit in the Arnold will feature quartz countertops, custom-wood cabinets, a gourmet prep island, stainless-steel appliances, full-sized washer and dryer connections, bike storage and private balconies. 

Amegy Bank of Texas and Comerica Inc. provided the financing for the project. Kirksey Architecture designed the office portion of the project, and Wilder Belshaw Architects designed the Arnold. The general contractors are Harvey Cleary, for the office portion, and Andres Construction for the mixed-use building. KimballBruehlGarciaEstes is the civil engineer for both buildings.