(All renderings by ThoughtBarn and Delineate Studio)
A mixed-use, creatively oriented project called The Yard at Saint Elmo is coming together in what could be called the "new-new" (neo-new?) South Austin. For decades an area of wholesale construction-industry warehouses and light-industrial business, the Saint Elmo Road area just southeast of Ben White Boulevard and South Congress Avenue is becoming the focus of entertainment- and creative-industry redevelopment.
The Yard is in the same area of that redevelopment—the most visible project so far being Saint Elmo Public Market—but it’s an entirely different enterprise. It will occupy a 150,000-square-foot space next to a former railyard on East Saint Elmo Road and will include manufacturing, co-working, and retail space focused on creative businesses, collaboration, and engagement. The complex will also have (naturally) a live-music space and a food-truck court.
The space looks to have a visually interesting, pedestrian-friendly public areas between converted warehouses that contain a good variety of local businesses.
In addition, founding developers Scott Ungar, Adam Zimmerman, and Brian Schoenbaum speak forcefully to their commitment to creating an authentic space that facilitates the creative growth and success of committed local enterprises. They took the lead on the project’s concept and design, with Thoughtbarn and Delineate Studio providing renderings and Civilitude Engineering leading the site plan design and permitting process.
Local businesses that have signed on as tenants are The Austin Winery, Drophouse Design, Vuka, Impact Hub Austin, Music Lab, Still Austin Whiskey, Sup ATX, The Spokesman Coffee Bar, St. Elmo Brewing, Soursop, Granite Recyclers of Austin, Wakanine, Raw Paw, Wake Up, Pilgrim Building Company, Enabler, and Sauceda Industries. There are still spaces available for likeminded outfits.