Pfluger Architects and SHIR Capital converted the former Quality Inn hotel into Veer Apartments as one of its adaptive reuse projects. (Courtesy Veer Apartments)
A former Quality Inn hotel in North Austin has been converted into affordable studio apartments, announced by Pfluger Architects and SHIR Capital in July.
The details
The five-story Veer Apartments property features 174 pet-friendly units with rent under $1,000 per month and includes:
Studio units in two floor plan options
Interior amenities such as vinyl hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and fully remodeled bathrooms
Community amenities such as a pool with barbecue grills, a 24-hour fitness center, pet spa and on-site laundry facilities
Per a news release, the property was originally a four-story building, but design architects added a fifth level and infilled the interior atrium with units to "achieve the highest and best use of the existing site."
The complex offers studio apartments in two floor plan options with a variety of amenities. (Courtesy Veer Apartments)
“We’ve seen increasing demand for this type of rental property in urban neighborhoods,” said SHIR Capital principal Elan Gordon in the release. “The advantages of renovating old structures often include lower costs than building comparable new ones, along with more cities willing to ease zoning restrictions and extend tax credits to curb housing crises, encourage more projects like these."
Some context
The former hotel was one of a "handful of distressed or vacant properties" purchased by SHIR Capital in 2020, said Pfluger Architects principal Erik Leitner in an email to Community Impact.
"The hotel industry was faltering and many buildings were left vacant or in foreclosure," Leitner said. "These buildings are in prime locations in the heart of the city, where much-needed workforce and student housing are in high demand, and affordable housing options were previously limited."
The conversion and redesign of a hotel like this is less expensive and time-restrictive compared to other adaptive reuse projects, Leitner said.
"The advantages of renovating old buildings like this one include lower costs than building comparable new structures, similar zoning and permitting process with the city, and quicker construction timelines, helping to alleviate the city’s affordable housing shortage," Leitner said.
Alma features 175 pet-friendly studio and one-bedroom units with rent under $1,000 per month, and Hedge features 375 pet-friendly studio, one- and two-bedroom units with rent under $1,110 per month.
Both complexes are located in North Austin and were former hotels.
