Construction began Monday on a seven-story, 200-unit mixed-use building at 4800 Barbara Jordan Boulevard, the first project to break ground under Mueller's recently approved high-density zoning along the corridor.
The project, developed by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate Group, will include 176 market-rate apartments, 24 income-restricted units (at 60 percent of area median family income), and 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The building will also include a 240-space parking garage and 80 bicycle storage spaces.
Project Details
The development occupies a 2.3-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Barbara Jordan Boulevard and Philomena Street, previously used as overflow parking for Dell Children's Medical Center. Endeavor acquired the site from Catellus Development Group in 2025 for an undisclosed price.
Unit sizes range from studios (450 sq ft) to three-bedrooms (1,200 sq ft). Market-rate rents have not been announced but are expected to range from $1,400 to $2,800 based on comparable projects in the Mueller area. The 24 affordable units will be priced at approximately $900-$1,200 depending on unit size.
The retail space is planned for "neighborhood-serving commercial tenants," according to Endeavor's project description — restaurants, services, and convenience retail rather than national chains.
Timeline and Impact
Construction is expected to take 22 months, with the first units available for lease in January 2028. During construction, Barbara Jordan Boulevard will maintain all traffic lanes, but the sidewalk on the south side of the block will be rerouted through a temporary pedestrian path.
The project is expected to generate approximately 280 construction jobs and 45 permanent positions in the retail spaces. Endeavor estimates the completed building will add approximately $52 million to the Travis County tax rolls.
Community Response
The Mueller Neighborhood Association endorsed the project in a 58-37 vote in January, with supporters citing the need for housing density and opponents raising concerns about traffic, parking pressure, and the building's scale relative to the surrounding three-story residential blocks.
"Seven stories next to single-family homes is a big jump," said resident Patricia Morales at the January meeting. "I'm not against it, but I want to see the traffic study before I celebrate."
Endeavor's traffic impact analysis, filed with the city in December, projects an additional 840 daily vehicle trips, with most concentrated during morning and evening commute hours. The developer has committed to funding a signal improvement at the Barbara Jordan/Philomena intersection.