The big picture
The 109-acre River Park first proposed in the late 2010s will transform several blocks off East Riverside Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road over the next decade-plus.
More than 10 million square feet of multistory housing, hotels, offices, and restaurant and retail space are included in the planned development from Partners Group and Texas-based Presidium. River Park will also feature about 30 acres of parks, trails and open space along Country Club Creek and Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park.
The development team has yet to announce a formal timeline for construction, but the entire project is expected to take 10 to 20 years to build out.
Most of River Park is situated off Pleasant Valley west of the creek, but a portion of the project dubbed Block D is located just east between Wickersham Lane and Crossing Place.
That separate area will be River Park's first phase and is set to include multifamily housing, a hotel, street-front retail and a park. Earlier this year, developers also shared plans for a nearly 64,000-square-foot entertainment venue and lounge there at 4800 E. Riverside Drive, Austin.
Months after that announcement, city planning commissioners voted in favor of a conditional-use permit that'll allow the project team to move forward with the venue. After that vote Dec. 17, the request now heads to City Council for final consideration.
Presidium already has a deal in place with a third party to develop and operate the venue. The builder didn't share more details about that partnership, but said the mid-sized space is meant to host a mix of "local and national performances, community programs, and special events."
Pending a final council vote, the River Park team said a timeline for the venue's opening has yet to be determined.
“We have carefully vetted the path forward and are committed to the vision of creating a thriving mixed-use ecosystem. This will start the project off with a series of dynamic gathering spaces for all to enjoy," Piano said.
