Northline is a nearly $1 billion, 116-acre development that will combine commercial and residential space with a modern aesthetic that the city hopes will be a draw for residents and tourists.
Southbrook Station, situated near the Northline development, is opening this April, and will add a variety of new restaurants, businesses and services for residents in the area.
The developments will comprise an updated downtown region for the city, according to Randall Malik, Leander’s director of economic development.
Project Timelines
- 2018: City entitlements and City Economic Development Agreement secured
- 2019: Construction plans for initial public infrastructure phase completed
- 2020: Public infrastructure development breaks ground
- 2022: First residential projects break ground
- 2023: First civic space breaks ground. Total 116-acre project build-out expected to take 10-15 years
- 2024: Southbrook Station breaks ground
- 2025: Southbrook Station’s first retail stores opening in April
Northline
Northline sits just north of Leander Station and Austin Community College’s San Gabriel Campus and south of St. David’s Medical Campus, between 183A and US 183.
Alex Tynberg, principal of the Northline Leander Development Company, the master developer for Northline, said he bought an initial 23 acres of land in Leander around 2016.
He eventually purchased two adjoining lots and coordinated with the city on a vision for a town center. The property was designed and rezoned in 2018, creating the 116-acre tract that is the Northline development today.
Tynberg said he expects roughly 1 million square feet of construction will be done on the development. Though full build-out won’t be completed for another 10 years, residents and businesses have already begun to settle in the development. Once finished, Tynberg predicted the development would be valued at $1 billion.
Malik said Novak Brothers Residential Construction has built 25 townhomes in the area. Additionally, Slate Real Estate Partners has built a 343-unit apartment complex. Some people are living in each, but there are still homes for sale and apartments for rent, Malik said.
Southbrook Station
Southbrook Station, at 4615 US 183, is closer to completion than Northline. Malik said the first shops should be opening in Southbrook in late April, and the development should be fully built out by the end of the year.
Southbrook Station will comprise three buildings that will house a variety of retail and office space. The development will also be surrounded by residential developments, including the Southbrook Apartments, which has 360 multifamily units, and Arroyo Roble, a development of 125 townhomes, according to documents from Endeavor, Southbrook’s principal developer.
Currently, all but three of Southbrook’s retail locations have been leased out. Future development near the site will make room for businesses like Small’s Sliders and Take 5 Oil Change, which are expected to be complete by the end of 2025.
Southbrook Station retail
- Cava
- Einstein Bagels
- Coldstone Creamery
- Shipley Do-Nuts
- Smoothie King
- Crust Pizza
- Firehouse Subs
- Paris Baguette
- McAlister's Deli
- Freebirds
Taking a step back
The developments will lead to increased tax revenue for the city and a wider range of local industry, said Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle.
“We want to have a diverse economy because when there’s a recession, you don’t know if something is going to fail, and you need to have that wider tax base to keep going so that you’re not just relying on the homeowners,” DeLisle said.
Leander Chamber of Commerce President Bridget Brandt said businesses already operating in town would only see positive effects from the developments.
She noted that incoming businesses lift up businesses already operating in town by bringing more people to the area “because there is such a deficit in our business community.”
Zooming in
Old Town, the boutique-style town square surrounding North Brushy Street, currently serves as the city’s downtown, Malik said.
Northline is meant to serve as a complement, not a replacement, to Old Town, Malik said.
While Old Town serves as the current center for nightlife, Leander needs an established downtown area and is still figuring out what that looks like, DeLisle said.
“It’s a very different vibe," DeLisle said. "Where Northline is going to be upscale and sort of like hanging out at The Domain, Old Town is charming, it’s small, it’s contained, and it’s very cool.”
Brandt said a downtown area is important for cities to build community.
“The wonderful thing about Leander is we have these two really distinct communities starting to blend—Northline as a modern, new downtown, and Old Town will still be here,” Brandt said.
Going forward
The city has several other development projects in progress or expected in the future, including a 115-acre business park and a $48 million retail and restaurant development, according to its website.
The business park is expected to include 1.3 million square feet of industrial space, according to the website. It will go in the northeast corner of the intersection at Hero Way and CR 270.
The project will add 155,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space, and it will include a new Northpoint Austin church, according to the site.
