Mixed-Use Development Reflects the Neighborhood

AUSTIN, TX—In a twist to the typical leasing office, Platform, a new mixed-use development in East Austin, has opened a temporary leasing office. The unique aspect of this space is where it is located. In the Flatbed Press and Gallery, this art-infused space is located just across from the project on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It will serve as Platform's home base until the project's permanent leasing office and first apartments open in October.

The temporary leasing space is surrounded by Flatbed's galleries and artists' studios, creating a unique setting for prospective residents to learn more about Platform's 355 apartments and townhomes. The space also offers details on Platform's unique outdoor recreation and entertaining spaces, and highlights the transit-oriented lifestyle made possible by the adjacent Capitol Metro light-rail station.

“From the beginning, we have envisioned Platform as a place that reflects the neighborhood, and particularly the surrounding arts community,” said Nic Whittaker, senior director of development for Greystar. “Working with neighbors like Flatbed Press helps us appeal to potential residents who embrace this vision for the area, and also shares Flatbed's artists and galleries with individuals that we hope will become future patrons and supporters.”

By incorporating some of the actual materials used in the construction of Platform's apartments, the leasing center delivers a hands-on look at the project's interior finishes and fixtures. On the walls, large-format graphics and work from local artists reflect Platform's contemporary design approach and give the leasing center an energetic and inspiring feel. For Platform developer Greystar, the partnership with Flatbed Press was an obvious fit for the project.

Another slant is how the development team has taken a neighborhood-centric approach to Platform's 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space, which is being leased by Viceroy Realty Advisors. Local favorite Houndstooth Coffee has just committed to the project, and much of the project's remaining retail space will be divided into smaller units suitable for galleries, studios, boutiques or creative offices. To help keep these smaller spaces affordable, Greystar is building them out in advance to accommodate a wide variety of uses.

“Platform's location is remarkable on a number of levels. It is close to downtown, in the middle of a neighborhood filled with new dining and entertainment options, and adjacent to the Capital Metro light rail station,” Whittaker tells GlobeSt.com. “There are only a handful of locations like it in the city, which inspired us to create a project that really lives up to the site's unique potential. We did this by creating a one-of-a-kind outdoor environment for recreation and entertainment, pushing the envelope for architecture and interior finishes, and making room for tenants like Houndstooth Coffee that will enhance the lifestyle of residents.”

In addition to being part of a dynamic neighborhood arts community and the home of Austin's third Houndstooth location, Platform's proximity to the Capitol Metro Red Line's MLK station gives it convenient, car-free access to destinations from downtown to the Domain and beyond. It is also an easy walk or a short drive away from a variety of eastside dining and entertainment options. 

“It's challenging to build new space that is affordable for creative tenants,” said Greystar's Whittaker. “By taking this non-traditional approach of pre-finishing some of the storefront units, we hope that we can keep costs down and help make a dent in the city's tremendous demand for this type of space.”

Residents of Platform's studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments and townhomes will also enjoy one of Austin's most unique pool courtyards. This outdoor space features three separate pools, an outdoor kitchen and a distinctive water-wall feature. Indoor amenities include a retro game lounge, private work spaces, fitness center with separate yoga/Pilates studio and extensive spaces for entertaining. Like most of Greystar's Austin communities, Platform is pet friendly and includes a 24-hour off-leash dog park, as well as easy access to a variety of trails and parks popular with local dog owners.

Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector—will this wave continue for the foreseeable future? What's driving development and capital flows? Join us at RealShare Apartments on October 19 & 20 for impactful information from the leaders in the National multifamily space. Learn more.

AUSTIN, TX—In a twist to the typical leasing office, Platform, a new mixed-use development in East Austin, has opened a temporary leasing office. The unique aspect of this space is where it is located. In the Flatbed Press and Gallery, this art-infused space is located just across from the project on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It will serve as Platform's home base until the project's permanent leasing office and first apartments open in October.

The temporary leasing space is surrounded by Flatbed's galleries and artists' studios, creating a unique setting for prospective residents to learn more about Platform's 355 apartments and townhomes. The space also offers details on Platform's unique outdoor recreation and entertaining spaces, and highlights the transit-oriented lifestyle made possible by the adjacent Capitol Metro light-rail station.

“From the beginning, we have envisioned Platform as a place that reflects the neighborhood, and particularly the surrounding arts community,” said Nic Whittaker, senior director of development for Greystar. “Working with neighbors like Flatbed Press helps us appeal to potential residents who embrace this vision for the area, and also shares Flatbed's artists and galleries with individuals that we hope will become future patrons and supporters.”

By incorporating some of the actual materials used in the construction of Platform's apartments, the leasing center delivers a hands-on look at the project's interior finishes and fixtures. On the walls, large-format graphics and work from local artists reflect Platform's contemporary design approach and give the leasing center an energetic and inspiring feel. For Platform developer Greystar, the partnership with Flatbed Press was an obvious fit for the project.

Another slant is how the development team has taken a neighborhood-centric approach to Platform's 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space, which is being leased by Viceroy Realty Advisors. Local favorite Houndstooth Coffee has just committed to the project, and much of the project's remaining retail space will be divided into smaller units suitable for galleries, studios, boutiques or creative offices. To help keep these smaller spaces affordable, Greystar is building them out in advance to accommodate a wide variety of uses.

“Platform's location is remarkable on a number of levels. It is close to downtown, in the middle of a neighborhood filled with new dining and entertainment options, and adjacent to the Capital Metro light rail station,” Whittaker tells GlobeSt.com. “There are only a handful of locations like it in the city, which inspired us to create a project that really lives up to the site's unique potential. We did this by creating a one-of-a-kind outdoor environment for recreation and entertainment, pushing the envelope for architecture and interior finishes, and making room for tenants like Houndstooth Coffee that will enhance the lifestyle of residents.”

In addition to being part of a dynamic neighborhood arts community and the home of Austin's third Houndstooth location, Platform's proximity to the Capitol Metro Red Line's MLK station gives it convenient, car-free access to destinations from downtown to the Domain and beyond. It is also an easy walk or a short drive away from a variety of eastside dining and entertainment options. 

“It's challenging to build new space that is affordable for creative tenants,” said Greystar's Whittaker. “By taking this non-traditional approach of pre-finishing some of the storefront units, we hope that we can keep costs down and help make a dent in the city's tremendous demand for this type of space.”

Residents of Platform's studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments and townhomes will also enjoy one of Austin's most unique pool courtyards. This outdoor space features three separate pools, an outdoor kitchen and a distinctive water-wall feature. Indoor amenities include a retro game lounge, private work spaces, fitness center with separate yoga/Pilates studio and extensive spaces for entertaining. Like most of Greystar's Austin communities, Platform is pet friendly and includes a 24-hour off-leash dog park, as well as easy access to a variety of trails and parks popular with local dog owners.

Steady gains in the US economy have resulted in net positives for the multifamily sector—will this wave continue for the foreseeable future? What's driving development and capital flows? Join us at RealShare Apartments on October 19 & 20 for impactful information from the leaders in the National multifamily space. Learn more.