Photo courtesy of Lars Plougmann on Flickr
As Austin continues to grow, developers are rushing to bring more housing and amenities to city residents. Several big projects have been announced over the summer that will begin to take shape as early as 2016. Take a look at a few of the largest developments to be built in the Austin area:Belterra Commercial Center- Belterra is one of the most popular communities in the Austin area. In the next few years, 90 acres of land just off of Highway 290 near the neighborhood entrance will be transformed into a diverse mixed-use development. Designed by the same developers as the Domain and Southwark Meadows, this new commercial center will offer over 275,000 square feet of retail, office, and residential space. Early design specs even include plans for a hotel and senior residential housing. This new development brings desirable amenities closer to local residents, who currently commute to Southwest Austin or Dripping Springs to find them. Final plans are still in the works, with a tentative groundbreaking date set for early 2016.Fourth amp;- There always seems to be something new coming to East Austin, and this new condo project is just the latest. Dubbed Fourth amp;, this new development will be built at the intersection of 4th Street and Chicon in East Austin. This development will cover 130,000 square feet of office and residential space. The 97 residential condos range from about 500 to 1,400 square feet in size, and could be priced anywhere in the $300K to $600K range. Fourth amp; is designed to blend luxurious and energy-efficient features, including solar panels, rainwater collection systems, stainless steel appliances, and LED lighting. Future residents can also look forward to community amenities like a dog wash, reserved parking, and a bike trail. Fourth amp; is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the Plaza Satillo MetroRail station in East Austin. This project is estimated to be complete as early as fall 2016.The Independent- Dubbed ldquo;the tallest tower west of the Mississippirdquo;, The Independent is another exciting downtown development. Standing at 685 feet tall, this 58 story residence will be the tallest tower in Austin when complete. The Independent will be built at 3rd Street and West Avenue in Downtown Austin, centrally located to tons of amenities in the area. The 370 units here offer one to three bedroom floor plans ranging in size from around 600 to 3,400 square feet. Exact prices have not been set, but are estimated to run from around $300K to over $1 million. The Independent offers high-end amenities to its residents, with two floors dedicated to resident comforts. The 9th floor will house the infinity edge heated pool, dog lounge, and childrenrsquo;s play room. Way up on the 34th floor, residents can take advantage of the Ownerrsquo;s Retreat, which includes the fitness center, conference room, wine bar, and private movie theater. Exact groundbreaking and completion dates havenrsquo;t been announced, but locals could be calling the Independent home in 2018.Learn more about Austin area neighborhoods with our Austin Neighborhoods Guide. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Austin? Our agents are Austin real estate experts. Contact us today for answers to your Austin real estate questions.