Even in a constrained economy, North Austin is epicenter of Central Texas' growth

[Neil Narayan]

The Domain area, aka Austin’s second downtown, is the geographic center of the developed Austin metro area, thanks to Williamson County’s housing boom. Downtown Austin is actually on the southern end of our built-out metro.

Some experts have told me that The Domain area could eventually eclipse downtown Austin in size, weight and height. That remains to be seen. But to be sure, we are in the infant stages of developing twin cities within one city. We're beginning to see two distinct downtown-like skylines already.

Recently, city officials revised zoning rules in The Domain area to accommodate buildings up to 45 stories tall. North Austin City Council members promise to loosen restrictions on building sizes even more soon, allowing, as Council Member Leslie Pool puts it, developers to “punch through the ceiling and go even higher.” The Domain area has just as much going for it as downtown — perhaps more when one considers the available workforce, a bigger footprint for towering structures and amenities such as light rail.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2023/04/26/letter-fr...