Educated, young people are moving to Austin’s far suburbs and bringing their higher-than-average incomes with them. Real estate firm Rockspring is ready to serve them. The developer has been busy courting national quick-service restaurant chains and retailers to fill their new mixed-use property, Stonewall Crossing. The development is in Liberty Hill, a burgeoning city 30 miles north of Austin and eight miles north of Leander, rated the fastest growing large city (defined as a population of 50,000+) by the U.S. Census report in 2019. Stonewall Crossing broke ground in July and already has several quick-service restaurants (QSRs) under contract as well as Auto Zone and a Circle K convenience retailer. This project includes two buildings that front Texas Hwy 29; pads range in size from 0.75 acres to 2.89 acres. LA Architects, Inc. commissioned PRISM to produce renderings to help market the development. The favorable Liberty Hill demographics made the development a no-brainer for Rockspring to pursue. The median city age is 34.2 years and median family income is $73,125. Matt Powell, economic development director for the City of Liberty Hill, is leveraging the flurry of new development around the city to bring in more employers. “People are keenly aware that in our ETJ (jurisdiction) we have in the neighborhood of 40,000 people with competitive educations and incomes. Retailers are looking for that. We don’t dictate market forces, but what we can do is actively recruit businesses that will raise the quality of life and create primary jobs for Liberty Hill,” he told the Liberty Hill Independent newspaper.
This month we toasted project manager Xuemei "Lily" Luo on her birthday. Our resident yogi and the only landscape architect on our team is always a calming ray of sunshine for the rest of us. Cheers to you Lily and best wishes for a blessed year ahead!
Between the PRISM team, we have 23 kids, ranging in age from 15 months to 24 years. It’s the bittersweet time of year when we send them back to school. Here’s a look at the most important pieces of our hearts, ready to do great things in the academic year ahead!
The average size of AIA member firms is 11. And 26% of members are sole practitioners. Entrepreneur Architect (EntreArchitect) is the world’s largest online community for these small firms. The group started daily Facebook Live sessions a few weeks into the pandemic. Last week we met in person! EntreArchitect founder Mark Lepage and Jeff Echols, Director of Brand Strategy, started the Facebook Live group sessions to unite the community of small firms during the pandemic. Called Context and Clarity, the sessions focused on helping architects define their brand and build or refine their marketing strategy. I have been active in the group for over two years. Along with architects from nine states, I attended the first Context and Clarity live event in Jay, Vermont. EntreArchitect has had such a positive impact on many small practices, meeting in person strengthened the bonds. Meeting three of my mastermind group members (after having weekly Zoom meetings for over a year) was a highlight! Over our weekend together we had many topic discussions along with fireside music performances and chats, picnic lunch, and dinners. Our shared experiences of struggles and successes as small business owners helped each other see new perspectives. I, for one, hope this incredible experience will grow into a new tradition for the EntreArchitect community! Please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 281-799-4800 if you'd like to learn more about this group.
Part competition, part networking, part celebration, and ALL fun, Deborah just attended the SMPS Houston BINGO night. Sure there were cash prizes, but this fun group really gathered for some great networking and to celebrate the chapter’s recent win. SMPS Houston was selected for the Outstanding Extra Large Chapter Pivot & Focus Award.
Unlike fast food establishments, restaurant design is all about drawing diners in for a leisurely meal that may last for hours. And increasingly, the restaurant theme is manifest through the interiors; everything from finishes to lighting, color, and acoustics is carefully curated to reinforce the restaurant's brand. In a sector where build-out costs can climb as high as $750 per square foot, it’s important to have as clear a picture as possible of what the completed space will look like. This is why 3D renderings are the perfect tool to employ early in the project process. Whether the concept is modern minimalist or staid luxury, highly detailed renderings can provide an almost photo-realistic view of interiors that don’t exist yet. Even without drawings, PRISM can produce renderings from simple sketches and inspiration photos. It’s also easy to customize renderings. Want to show how different furnishing impact the traffic flow? Curious how changing colored accents will alter the overall look? Considering more accent lighting? Renderings help to make decisions before making expensive changes after construction has begun. When it comes to obtaining funding for your new restaurant concept and marketing to the hungry masses, renderings are a useful tool. With the ability to drill down to such details as the dining chair fabric and the custom pattern of partitions, it is possible to differentiate your concept from competitors.
Part of being a good architectural neighbor is minding the context – site history, local culture, architectural style, native materials, and climactic conditions, to name just a few of the conditions. Developer Related Group and MSA Architects, Inc. (MSA) received approval last month for a new multifamily project on downtown Jacksonville, Florida’s Southbank. The 8-story apartment community, named River City Brewery, will replace the existing River City Brewing Co. restaurant. The redevelopment of this prime parcel had to accentuate the riverfront and existing marina, heed the design of the surrounding museums, and respect the adjacent monumental fountain and park. PRISM produced several early-stage renderings to assist with the approval of the project by the Jacksonville City Council and the Downtown Development Review Board. River City Brewery will break ground later this year. Keeping with Related Group’s mission to develop lifestyle-infused properties that revitalize urban neighborhoods, the new community includes several pocket parks incorporated into the site, and resident lounge terraces that take advantage of river views. MSA created a soft contemporary façade with a pale stucco palette. The $99.16 million project will have 327 units, a freestanding 535-space parking garage, and a new restaurant adjacent to River City Brewery. The 3,500 s.f. space will feature an expansive two-level terrace for outdoor dining along the riverfront.
More new multifamily is now open in Midland. Stillwater Capital is betting on the longevity of the Permian Basin to continue fueling Midland’s growth with their new apartment community, The Drake. With a population now over 153,000 and an average household income of $112,701, Midland is definitely still reliant on the petroleum industry. Though in recent years more regional telecommunications distribution centers have come to the 20th largest city in Texas. With The Drake, Stillwater Capital is aiming to fill the need for a modern aesthetic with boutique residences. PRISM produced the marketing renderings for pre-leasing and promotion. The 3-story garden-style development is on the northeast corner of Mockingbird and Big Spring across from Midland Country Club, convenient to many employers, and has ample outdoor space. It’s what Stillwater Capital calls a connection to experience, “a life inspired by the rousing spirit of the West and hospitality-driven soul of the South.” The façade features earth tones and local stone, reflecting the surrounding geography. Apartment layouts include one, two, and three-bedroom homes as well as oversized one and three-bedroom penthouses. The Drake has a resort-style pool with an outdoor bar and a convenient micro-market.
As a virtual team, in-person gatherings are equally valuable and fun, especially our EOS® Leadership session. Here we review previous quarter wins and lessons learned; issue process; and set new goals ensuring accountability flows throughout the company so that we can execute on our company vision—every day. Teamwork makes the dream work!
The annual Celebrate Architecture Gala is the largest fundraiser for AIA Houston. Jing and Sarah, along with their spouses, recently attended as guests of our dear friend and PRISM’s chief story-teller, Carrie Stallwitz, owner of Witz!PR. It was a delight to gather in person with other passionate architecture supporters, see so many of our clients, and tour the amazing collection of vintage aircraft at the Lone Star Flight Museum.
