AUSTIN, Texas —The first office building installed at the Domain was a five-story structure back in 2008. Now, the Domain is home to over 100 stores and restaurants, some of which stand 17 to 18 stories high.
Recently, the Austin Board of Realtors hosted a panel of experts to discuss the Domain’s economic impact on the city of Austin as a whole. Economists say Austin continues to experience a consistent growth of more than three percent, which has created challenges for the city's infrastructure. Developers say The Domain was a response to this.
Transportation and housing are the two largest challenges facing the community, which is why real estate experts say they've learned the advantages of placing more activity inside the existing footprint as opposed to building more infrastructure.
Compact living puts less stress on infrastructure, compared to developments which are spaced out. The mixed-use, high-density development at the Domain has done more than just transform North Austin. Industry gurus say it's affected all of Austin's housing trends, demographics, and now it's changing the way the city is planning its future development.
"It's a giant, incredibly successful pilot project, but it's a pilot project to show that the center of gravity doesn't necessarily have to be downtown, and that you can have multiple centers of gravity as the region expands," Jon Hockenyos President of TXP, Inc. said.
Whether you're new to Austin, or you've been here for years, the Domain has a lot to offer residents.
The Yard
The Yard is a milkshake bar where the creamy creations are larger than life. Mark your choices on your menu with your pen and place your order at the register, take your number and find a place to get comfortable.
"Nobody orders one of these milkshakes and doesn't remember what it was like, what it looked like, and they told at least a couple of people how ridiculous the milkshake was. Just having the opportunity to create a memory off of something as simple as a milkshake. I think is really unique."
Sprinkles Cupcakes
You're going to need energy to get through a full day of shopping, and you can get a quick pick-me-up from Sprinkles, without even stepping into the shop. Sprinkles is home to the world's first 24/7 Cupcake ATM.
Punch Bowl Social
If you’re looking for a little fun with your food, this place is for you. It's is a one-stop shop for food, games, cocktails, karaoke, and even bowling.
"It's for everybody, it's not just for adults. It's for families, couples.. you can even bring all your friends down. We see bachelor parties, so it's great for big groups or just a date night out," James Cazin said.