The Austin Board of Realtors is moving into its new headquarters at 4800 Spicewood Springs Road on Dec. 19.



The 33,000-square-foot building includes a members' lounge, an outdoor terrace, conference rooms, a coffee bar, a catering preparation kitchen and an event center that can accommodate about 310 people. The nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1926, provides real estate services to its members including education and operates the Multiple Listings Service information for Central Texas.



"Our whole objective here is to be a value to our members," said CEO Paul Hilgers. "In addition, [we want] to be good stewards to the community and to be good partners with our community."



Hilgers said he wants to work with neighbors on how to solve the traffic problems on Spicewood Springs Road. Hilgers said ABoR is working on addressing residents concerns about the brightness of the lighting in the parking garage, as well as working with the city of Austin to add a possible left-hand turn lane into the parking lot. Long term, Hilgers said, Spicewood Springs Road will need to be widened to two lanes in each direction. He said he plans to work with the community and the city to decide how to address traffic needs.



The headquarters, which will house ABoR's approximately 50 employees, also includes a production facility and digital lab, which will have about 20 computers. The production facility, he said, could be used to shoot tutorial videos for members. The building will primarily serve ABoR's members, but is also open to the nonprofit's partners and community members. The organization also plans to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.



ABoR's new building is located on 5.4 acres of land, including the lot next to the building. ABoR has no current plans to develop that property, which has landscaping and walkways, Hilgers said.



A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Jan. 16 and a grand opening party, which is open to the public, is planned for Jan. 17.