Groundbreaking on New Austin City Limits Theater

A groundbreaking ceremony was held this past weekend for a new 35-story, $260-million mixed-use development that will include a new theater for the popular Austin City Limits television show.

The Theater: A 2,200-seat, state-of-the-art theater and music venue to be managed by Live Nation will serve as the new home of KLRU-TV’s venerable Austin City Limits (austincitylimits.org), the longest running televised concert series. The new theater, which will have more than five times the capacity of the current soundstage, is being developed in partnership with Willie Nelson and his nephew, Freddy Fletcher, of Pedernales Records. Live Nation has been selected to oversee a range of ongoing entertainment programming for the more than 300 nights a year when it will not be in use by ACL. ACL is a production of KLRU-TV, Austin PBS and C3 Presents.

Hotel & Spa: Occupying a former vacant lot in downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District, Block 21 is being considered for Platinum LEED Certification for its implementation of green building techniques, materials and operational standards. Upon completion in 2010, the project will include 196 luxury condominium residences, 250 hotel guestrooms, world-class spa, signature restaurant, approximately 47,000 square feet of premium, ground- and second-floor retail plus engaging public spaces.

The W Austin Hotel & Residences will include its signature Living Room experience and Whatever/Whenever®, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge service that can provide whatever guests want (from a pair of running shoes at 2 a.m. to private jet service) whenever they want it. The hotel will also include several innovative restaurants and clubs, a street-level plaza, an outdoor elevated garden incorporating a swimming pool, a full-service Sweat fitness facility, a 5,000-square-foot spa, 13,000 square feet of meeting space and 4,300 square feet of banquet rooms.

The Groundbreaking: Local dignitaries, VIPs and development partners who participated in the afternoon groundbreaking ceremony included Mayor Will Wynn; basketball-legend-turned-business-tycoon, Earvin “Magic” Johnson of the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund; legendary University of Texas football coach and UT Austin stadium namesake, Darrell Royal; Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund Managing Partner, Bobby Turner; Ross Klein, President of Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group (W Hotels, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and The Luxury Collection hotel brands); lead design architect, Arthur W. Andersson, AIA of Andersson-Wise Architects; Bob Roux, President of Live Nation’s South division; KLRU-TV CEO and General Manager, Bill Stotesbery; Austin City Limits Producer, Terry Lickona; and Freddy Fletcher, Pedernales Records partner. The groundbreaking was timed to coincide with the KLRU-TV “Block Party” fundraising gala, which benefits the station that produces ACL.

“We are big believers in Austin, and in the commitment that Mayor Wynn has made to continuing the revitalization already underway here,” said Canyon-Johnson partner Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “Austin is a growing, dynamic and entertaining city, and through Block 21, we will work to enhance that by creating opportunities for the people of Austin, and making sure that it reaches its absolute fullest potential.”