As The Domain pushes forward with multi-million dollar renovation projects to update its building facades and outdoor spaces, action taken by Austin City Council in February will allow the future redevelopment of roughly 46.7 acres in the shopping center.
The details
City Council approved a rezoning development request on Feb. 15 allowing taller, denser buildings within The Domain. The change is expected to allow for additional shopping, residential, hotel, industrial and office space in the future for portions of the center, according to city documents. The recent amendment does not impact condominium areas within the shopping center, city documents show.
The changes include:
- Buildings can now be up to 420 feet tall, or up to 42 floors
- Limitations on the maximum number of dwelling units for future redevelopment was removed
- The floor-to-area ratio, a measure of a development’s density, was increased to 12:1
In 2023, The Domain began a multi-million dollar renovation that aimed to compliment the shopping center’s recently-announced line of incoming luxury retailers such as Zimmermann, Burberry, Balenciaga and others. The latest zoning approval was not accompanied by any concrete plans for further redevelopment, according to city documents.
Representatives with The Domain did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.
What else?
The Domain is situated within the North Burnet/Gateway Zoning District, a roughly 2,300 acre area in North Austin governed by the North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan. The plan was adopted in 2009 to guide development in the area through zoning districts and development standards.
In January, City Council also approved rezoning for a 121-acre tract of developed land southwest of The Domain. The land currently houses the Gateway Shopping Center, Arboretum Crossing shopping center, Stonebridge One offices and residential areas.
The rezoning approved in January increased the maximum building height from 180 feet to 350 feet and the floor-to-area ratio from 3:1 to 10:1.
The project’s staff report indicates that construction of Capital Metro’s Red Line commuter stations at Uptown ATX and McKalla Place for Q2 Stadium have led to increased development interest in the area, resulting in changes to development and zoning patterns.
What's next?
City Council will review an amendment to create a new zoning subdistrict for life sciences, lab and biomedical spaces in the area March 7, following review of the measure at the Feb. 27 Planning Commission meeting. Alongside various transit and shopping destinations, the North Burnet/Gateway area is also home to The University of Texas at Austin's J.J. Pickle Research Campus. If approved, the amendment is intended to encourage further development of the biomedical and life science industries in North Austin, according to city documents.
