The Commercial/Retail Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Brodie Oaks Redevelopment is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

The Brodie Oaks Redevelopment transforms a 1980s retail center into a $1 billion transit-oriented development, featuring 1,700 residential units, including affordable housing, 1.6 million square feet of office and retail space, and 3 miles of trails. This project reduces impervious surfaces from 84% to 54%.

An interdisciplinary team led by urban planners and landscape architects developed the Master Plan for the 38-acre site in Austin, Texas, integrating residential, retail, and office spaces with extensive green areas. A central greenway, connected to the Barton Creek Greenbelt, will serve as the community's vibrant heart. The design team also led the rezoning as a Planned Unit Development, addressing environmental and community concerns. Their design includes innovative water conservation strategies and the introduction of green technologies to protect the Barton Springs Greenbelt.

 
The project aims to enhance community amenities, promote sustainability with over 13 acres of parks, and stimulate economic growth. Key partnerships with local stakeholders and recognition in planning forums highlight the redevelopment's impact as a model for sustainable urban development.

It creates spaces for all of our neighbors. It elevates local business owners and creatives. It celebrates all the site has to offer by expanding access to the Barton Creek Greenbelt and connecting us to Downtown Austin and the Hill Country. By weaving together public spaces, local businesses, and sustainable transit options, the development fosters a lived experience that is dynamic, accessible, and enduring-a place where residents and visitors can engage with nature, culture, and community in meaningful ways.

In August 2019, the team launched the redevelopment process with a five-day charrette, using data analysis to define project objectives and design guidelines. Priorities included meeting Save Our Springs (SOS) standards, reducing impermeable surfaces, improving multimodal connectivity, and integrating with the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Stakeholder engagement was central to this effort, involving neighborhood associations, environmental groups, the City of Austin, and TxDOT, with a strong focus on the site's location within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Building on this foundation, the team has led the Development Assessment and Planned Unit Development (PUD) submission, maintaining active collaboration with local and environmental groups. Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders has helped align the project with community needs, ensuring broad support while minimizing opposition.

Community input directly shaped the plan, influencing the expansion of green space, improved trail connections, and a focus on ecological restoration. For example, on two occasions the client erected cranes on site so that the stakeholders could get a sense for the scale of the development. By embedding these values from the outset, the design fosters a lasting and meaningful relationship between people and place.

This project exemplifies environmental stewardship by capturing rainwater and AC condensate for reuse in cooling towers and irrigation, conserving energy, and offsetting 20 million gallons of potable water annually. It meets rigorous sustainability standards, including LEED Neighborhood Development, SITES, and the Austin Energy Green Building Star Rating System, ensuring long-term environmental benefits. Green water quality controls, rainwater harvesting, and retention-irrigation systems further enhance water conservation and ecosystem protection. Beyond reducing impact, these strategies create a healthier, more resilient environment where nature and urban life thrive together.

Brodie Oaks redefines urban planning by seamlessly integrating sustainability, ecology, and accessible living. The term "BrodieOaksify," coined by the media, underscores its innovative impact and sets a new standard for redevelopment. This transformation converts 11.6 acres of surface parking into vibrant parkland-Central Green, Trailhead Park, Lookout Park, and Neighborhood Park-blending native landscaping with trails, sports courts, playgrounds, and open lawns. These spaces not only enhance recreation and social interaction but also promote ecological restoration, creating a dynamic, community- focused environment.

To see more Commercial/Retail Development projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-commercial-retail-development#article1

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php