The first few projects for new construction and redevelopment in the North Burnet/Gateway 2035 Master Plan area are coming to fruition since Austin City Council adopted the plan in 2007.

The Master Plan covers 2,300 acres bordered by Metric Boulevard, US 183, Braker Lane, MoPac and Walnut Creek, and it has its own zoning code. The plan's goal is to change the industrial aesthetic of the area to one that is denser and accommodates people using all modes of transportation, including bicyclists and pedestrians.

The proposed redevelopment of the area is one reason Scott and Heather Harkovich from Heather Scott Home & Design decided to purchase the parcel of land at the southwest corner of Burnet Road and Braker Lane. The pair renovated an existing auto repair shop and relocated their retail and design business from the Arboretum on Jan. 2.

"For us, the redevelopment of Burnet is huge," Scott Harkovich said.

The couple opened their business about six years ago and have a retail side with custom furniture, lighting, art, accessories and gifts. The new location has provided Heather with her own design studio to meet with her clients, as well as a conference room and office.

The Harkoviches are seeking a tenant to fill the remaining 3,000 square feet on the northern end of the building, possibly a restaurant or complementary retail business. Harkovich said they plan to develop the remaining portion of land closest to Braker at some point and are looking at options. He said they are hoping a developer will redevelop the opposite southeast corner.

"This could be a power corner for a long time," he said.

Slated to open in mid-April is the TopGolf entertainment complex at Burnet Road and Esperanza Crossing. Austin General Manager Brad Spofford said the 64,000-square-foot facility will have 102 hitting bays on three levels and three sports bar–type restaurants. Customers play an interactive game that involves hitting a golf ball embedded with a microchip and aiming at different targets on the range to earn points.

"You don't have to be a pro golfer to enjoy TopGolf," Spofford said.

The company's headquarters is in Dallas, and TopGolf continues to grow in Dallas and Houston.

"Texas is kind of a target area for us to grow the brand. Austin is an automatic fit. It's an outdoorsy, younger city," Spofford said.

Another project in the works is for 13,140 square feet of retail space at the northwest corner of Braker Lane and Domain Drive. Christine Freundl, senior planner for the city's Planning and Development Review Department, said the developer—listed as Oklahoma City–based Austin Domain LP in site plans filed in April—will put in a sidewalk and street trees and pave a concrete pad for the Capital Metro bus stop for accessibility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project is awaiting an update from the city, but lease fliers posted on Edge Realty's website indicate two retail buildings, the first with 6,140 square feet and the second with 7,000 square feet. The flier indicates two tenants might have signed on for the second building, Aveda and Sleep Number, but messages sent to the companies for confirmation were unreturned.