The Arboretum Crossing shopping center in Austin’s “Golden Triangle” has seen better days. With declining occupancy rates and major closures, the once-vibrant retail space has fallen into disrepair. However, there is hope on the horizon for this struggling center.

Stockdale Capital Partners, based in California, recently purchased the Arboretum Crossing out of bankruptcy and is expected to bring new life to the property. With the previous owner, World Class, no longer involved, there is renewed confidence in the potential for redevelopment.

The City of Austin is also playing a significant role in the revitalization efforts. The shopping center site, along with the nearby Gateway Shopping Center, is included in the North Burnet/Gateway zoning overlay. This special district was created to encourage denser growth in the area surrounding the Domain. The city is updating the zoning by increasing height limits and expanding the planning area.

One of the most significant changes is the increase in height limits for the Arboretum Crossing. Under the new zoning subdistrict called North Burnet/Gateway Commercial Mixed-Use Midway (NBG-CMU-M), the base height limit for the shopping center is set at 350 feet. This opens up the possibility for the development of tall towers, potentially rising over 30 floors.

But the transformation doesn’t stop there. The city is also working on implementing a density bonus program for the entire North Burnet/Gateway area. Modeled after the Downtown Density Bonus Program, this initiative would offer extra height and density to developers in exchange for community benefits, such as walkable streetscapes and affordable housing funds. The program could allow for downtown-style