The downtown area of Austin (Tex.) is constantly changing as new developments appear and retailers move in. Right now the Market District west of city center is hot, sporting a combination of upscale national chains and old local favorites: REI, the flagship store for Whole Foods, Antropologie, Chico’s, BookPeople, Amy’s Ice Cream and Waterloo Records. Attracted by that line-up and their crowd of customers, Apple’s real estate team is serious about leasing space at West 6th Street and North Lamar Avenue. Details on the exact location and size of the space under consideration aren’t known, but the former Whole Earth complex is a possibility. When a lease is finally signed, the store would be the third in the Austin area, and just four miles from the existing Barton Creek store.
Download (pdf) a 2003 city-prepared map of “Emerging Districts.”
The intersection of W. 6th St. and N. Lamar Ave. is under serious consideration for a future Apple store.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome! I was hoping for one on Congress Ave, but this is close enough. The other two Austin stores are far away from downtown and the foot traffic areas. This one is definitely within walking distance of UT (bout a mile) and the state capital (a few blocks).
Good location, should finish fleshing out the Austin area for a long, long time. Maybe one could added north of Travis County in Round Rock (Williamson county) in a few years, but that’s a different city.
Yes, another Austin store, this is perfect. The location is right by UT and the other two stores aren’t adequate… Barton Creek is small, the domain is super far.
If this happens, it would almost certainly mean that the Barton Creek store would close. That store is far too small for the amount of traffic that goes there.
What?
I’m not sure what maps are you guys using. Lamar and W.6th is no where near the UT campus. It’s over a mile (some 30+ blocks). IMHO, this wouldn’t be considered a ‘near campus’ location by Apple.
Next, Barton Creek will NOT close. The store does over $30M per year. It does have a very small BoH, so an additional store close by would likely relieve pressure on the stockroom. Please don’t make such outrageous comments if you have no knowledge of the variables.
Apple will need to feel like there is enough foot traffic in the Market District to invest over $1M in a new store. I’m not sure it’s there. The parking is difficult, the traffic is a bear, and the anchors aren’t huge shopping draws (excluding groceries at Whole Foods). Apple might consider the up and coming 2nd street district, where the Austonian, and ‘W’ will bring significant upscale population mixed with numerous eateries, restaurants, and shops. Again, my opinion.
I would agree with Pirate that The Barton Creek store is one of the highest grossing locations in the market and even the region. I also agree that the 6th and Lamar intersection doesn’t have that many big name draws. I think the current Anthropologie location would actually be a perfect fit for Apple, the size of the store suits an Apple store perfectly.
The 2nd Street district is also a compelling option, especially with the Seaholm Power Plant Retail Redevelopment nearby, Apple may go there, right on 2nd street, or 6th and Lamar. Also the By George on 6th and Lamar is moving, may be another great option for Apple, but traffic/parking might be a concern on that very busy intersection.
There’s also a field/empty plot of land right next to the Whole Foods Flagship. Not sure what is to come for that land but needless to say with the surrounding high rise condos going up around it, it will surely be developed. Apple or no Apple.
I would put money on a new location in the Austin downtown area within the next year.
Both of the current ARS locations are leased to Apple from Simon Mall Group. Plano and North Star are the only Texas stores operated under Rouse Company. Everything else is Simon.
The “6th street market district” is mostly managed by Schlosser Development, which has no direct ties to Simon, and if the rumor is true about Anthropologie, that’s a $14,000 ft space. By comparison, SF Market Street is just under $11,000.
If they went to Seaholm “2nd street entertainment district”, the connection to their typical relationships would be through Centro Partners, LLC which has been hired by Simon to develop mixed-use facilities at The Domain.
They could, of course, throw a curve ball and do something along Congress Ave “Historic district”. Future plans for trolley car and more retail along this street are the city’s game-plan.
Oh, and disregard the dollar signs. They serve no purpose other than to confuse. Money’s always on the mind.