2,200-acre master-planned development eyed on outskirts of Austin

Thomas Ranch would add more than 3,500 resi units in Lake Travis

Areté Collective's Rebecca Buchan and Joe Rentfro with Thomas Ranch (LinkedIn, Areté Collective, Getty)
Areté Collective's Rebecca Buchan and Joe Rentfro with Thomas Ranch (LinkedIn, Areté Collective, Getty)

A massive master-planned development is on its way to the outskirts of Austin’s Travis County.

Thomas Ranch, a 2,200-acre project in Lake Travis, has been announced by Utah-based firm Areté Collective, according to the Austin Business Journal.

The development site is along State Highway 71 near the unincorporated area of Spicewood, just over 35 miles northwest of Austin.

The plans call for more than 250,000 square feet of retail, dining, and office services in a downtown district, as well as over 3,500 housing units ranging from single-family to senior affordable housing.

The city of Austin has begun making efforts to bring more affordable housing to residents earlier this year, and while not technically in Austin, this project could bring that extra option to residents as prices stay on the rise.

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“Our vision for Thomas Ranch is that it will pave the way for more integrated planning to better support the inevitable growth of Austin,” said Rebecca Buchan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Areté Collective.

The community will also include more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, a boutique hotel, and a private lakefront community with a member-only golf course designed by world-renowned architect David McLay Kidd.

Construction is slated to begin in 2023 with a phased development process. The first phase of early residential sales is expected to begin in late 2023 and with a full rollout by 2024.

— James Bell

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