It's no secret, the Austin skyline is changing!  From hillsides across the Texas Hill Country, to the unofficial "bird" of the Austin downtown skyline, the crane, signs of Austin's building and development explosion are all around us.

Noteworthy condominium developments include the 5FiftyFive Condos, Milago, Spring, Bridges on the Park, 360 Austin, The Nokonah and the recently announced Austonian project. East of IH-35, we've seen successful development projects emerge at The Pedernales Lofts, 2124 Lofts and the Villas at Fifth & Allen.

Farther East, heading towards IH-130 as it pushes its way around Austin's eastern frontier, we're seeing new homes and subdivisions pop up like the Texas Bluebonnets in springtime, with families of all types relocating from outlying areas to be closer to the central core of Austin.

Some economists call this "migration from the ex-urbs", as Austinites re-explore the urban lifestyle forsaken years ago when the suburban explosion kicked into high gear.

Perhaps the crown jewel of a revitalized Austin is evidenced by the massive earth-movers trolling over the former Robert Mueller Airport, where Catellus Development has recently unveiled MuellerAustin, a mixed-use urban village comprised of the Seton's Dell Children's Hospital of Central Austin, major retail, shopping, restaurants, commercial development, residential development,  single-family and affordable housing, with a contemporary feel.

Catellus recently announced the first phase of the residential homebuilding program and the selection of the first six homebuilders, including major national homebuilders such as Streetman Homes, David Weekley Homes, Meritage Homes and Standard Pacific Homes, as well as local builders The Muskin Company and Saldaña Homes.  Each of these builders competed with others through a rigorous selection process on the basis of design, amenities, integrity and adherence to the vision of the Mueller Master Plan. 

Embodying nearly twenty percent of open space, along with walking and biking trails, lakes, a Town Center, community parks and pools, the Mueller Austin redevelopment project is the largest urban revitalization project in Texas and a major boom to the local economy.

Initial home sales will be offered to registrants at the MuellerAustin.com website via randomized selection and homestyles will range from 1 and 2-story single family residences, Garden Court homes and ultimately multi-family residences.

The opportunity for living, eating, working, relaxing and enjoying an urban lifestyle rarely happens all in one location, unless a community like Mueller Austin unfolds. The developers, in conjunction with the City planners, have envisioned a city-within-a-city concept and the transformation of what once was an airport has clearly begun to take shape, just minutes from Austin's burgeoning downtown skyline. 

Retail establishments and the Dell Children's Hospital are set to open this July, coinciding with the first new residences of what will very likely become a focused destination for those living in the suburbs who want more of an urban lifestyle and less of a home-on-the-range.

Todd Smith and his business partner Shaunna Terry are the exclusive REALTORS® representing Saldaña Homes at the Mueller Austin redevelopment project.  They are associated with the West Austin office of Capital City Sotheby's International Realty, located at 901 S. Mopac, Barton Oaks Plaza Two, Suite 195 in Austin or Lakeway at 2802 Flintrock Trace Suite B-104.  Visit their website online at www.fineaustinliving.com or contact the Fine Austin Living Team at 512-402-9800.