Behind Pearson Ranch: Northwest Austin’s $2B Mixed-Use Project  

Austin’s tech expansion is common knowledge at this point, with the city attracting some of the top players in the industry like Apple, Oracle and Tesla. The popularity of Texas’s capital has led to one of the most active pipelines in the country. Because of the expectations of these kind of tenants, developers are confident investing in projects with retail, hospitality and cultural components.

Inspire Development is working on Pearson Ranch, a $2 billion mixed-use development on 156 acres in the metro’s Northwest submarket. The project broke ground at the beginning of the month, close to Apple’s $1 billion campus that is still under construction. The development team behind Pearson Ranch includes Urban Design Associates, working as land use master planner, Land Strategies Inc., acting as local land planner and BGE, serving as the project’s civil engineer. Davies Collaborative will handle design and will head the design of the multifamily portion, while Powers Brown will be responsible for the office component.

Inspire Development Managing Principal Brett Ames talked with Commercial Property Executive about the vision behind the massive development and how it fits with Austin’s fast-paced growth.

What makes Northwest Austin an appealing location for tech companies?

Ames: Austin continues to garner national attention for being the “it” place to be, particularly for tech companies. Our site is ideally situated near a myriad of tech employers, including Apple (just two miles south of our site), Amazon and Dell.

We anticipate additional need on behalf of other companies seeking to tap into all the area has to offer, including proximity to those employers, talented tech workers and the natural beauty of the land. This is where top talent wants to work, live and raise their families.

What is the vision behind Pearson Ranch?

Ames: Pearson Ranch will include 2.6 million square feet of Class A office space, 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, as well as community and cultural spaces, two hotels, thousands of upscale residences and 30 acres of parkland. Designed with high-end features and finishes throughout, the project is anticipated to have a value exceeding $2 billion upon full build out.

Intentionally designed to foster community and connections, Pearson Ranch is designed to attract local, homegrown Austin restaurants and retailers connected to expansive parks, public plazas, and hike-and-bike trail systems making this a coveted destination. All the components work together to ensure Pearson Ranch is “a place for people people,” meaning the kinds of folks that crave and integrated, connected and convenient lifestyle.

This property has such an inherent natural beauty and rich heritage, yet is juxtaposed with incredible proximity to major tech employers and workers that define the future in so many ways. We worked very closely with our team to create a plan that tightly knits the past, present and future into the most compelling land plan possible.

How do you expect it to impact Northwest Austin and the metro as a whole?

Ames: So much time, thought and effort went into our plan for Pearson Ranch because it’s rare to find such a large piece of property in such an incredible location. We want it to become a place that attracts top employers and retailers, serves as a gathering place and endures for generations to come.

What elements will make Pearson Ranch stand out from other mixed-use campuses that are taking shape across the country?

Ames: Great question. First off, we’re ready to go on a moment’s notice for any company that needs build-to-suit or customizable space right away. All entitlements and access to utilities are in place and our site infrastructure is now under way.

Second, we bring together a trifecta of factors major employers and their employees want these days: an amazing location, a truly liveable, outdoor-oriented community and an appealing design aesthetic.

The site also has exceptional connectivity and visibility, with four entrance points and over three quarters of a mile of SH 45 frontage, promising residents and patrons convenience in everyday living. Quick access to the CapMetro’s Lakeline Station is just west of Pearson Ranch, which brings together the MetroRail Red Line, running from Leander to downtown Austin, 485 parking spaces, as well both Express and Metro bus service.

Lastly, our location is fully in Williamson County, which has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most business-friendly places in the country.

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How has the pandemic impacted the design and development of the project? Particularly for the office components, have you had to modify plans for indoor shared spaces?

Ames: Thankfully, our project plans have always included a great deal of open space, which we anticipate will be a highly attractive quality on a go-forward basis. We’ve also worked closely with UDA, a premier architect and design firm, to ensure our structures seamlessly integrate with the outdoors.

Because this project is just now fully entitled and ready to go, the office buildings had yet to be designed in too great of detail. This means an employer has a great deal of flexibility, and together, we can design whatever space they think is most optimal to serve current and future needs.

Austin has one of the most active office pipelines in the country. Do you think that will impact your ability to attract the right tenants for the office components? 

Ames: While there are other projects in the pipeline here, Austin is an incredible “it” place to be. We think this helps the entire region attract quality employers where people can have true careers and a healthy work-life balance that employees seek today.

Also, it’s important to keep the new space in context. Austin’s population has effectively doubled in size every 25 years since it was founded. The combination of companies and people wanting to be here means this market has a proven track record of continuing to absorb new space.

What kind of office tenants are you targeting? Have you begun pre-leasing negotiations?

Ames: Pre-leasing efforts have begun and are going very well, but we can’t share any more details just yet. We’re happy to share more as we’re able.

How do you think Austin will evolve in a year’s time? What about five?   

Ames: We think Austin’s past is the greatest predictor of its future. With that in mind, we think it will continue to be an “it” place to be for all the reasons noted above. We think employers will become more comfortable making decisions about office space in the coming year, and certainly over the next five.

We anticipate that mixed-use developments with thoughtful, walkable land plans and a healthy amount of open space will continue to be in demand. We also think more people will want to be close to mass transit options, which is another feature Pearson Ranch offers.