Editor’s Note: Click here to access an interactive map of all the planned projects for downtown Abilene that have been made public.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – More than $100 million worth of projects are in the works for the downtown Abilene, including breweries, restaurants, retail spaces, contemporary living options, and more.
Many of the projects are still in the preliminary stages or even still looking for investors, but several are expected to be complete soon
Construction is already underway on three breweries, a restaurant, a bakery/coffee shop, a retro arcade.
Community leaders have a couple of conceptual ideas that would elevate downtown and the area south to new heights. They’ve already identified potential franchise opportunities for a “Baseball Entertainment District” south of downtown and have early renderings of the “Cedar Creek Waterway – West Bluff” which would be kind of a “Central Park” in Abilene, featuring land and water activities.
Twenty-four total projects have already been identified. Eleven are currently under construction, 4 are ‘For Sale’, 5 are Leasing, 6 are in the pre-development stage, 2 are just concepts, and 2 are considered public works projects.
A brief description of each project is outlined below. Anyone who wants detailed information, including pictures and renderings, is encouraged to check out an interactive map the Downtown Initiative of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce unveiled to highlight these downtown development projects.
- Historic Petroleum Center Building (451 Pine Street) – 54 residential units on top three floors above a restaurant and retail space. Currently looking for sponsors, investors, and tenants.
- Matera Gardens (101 Oak Street) – The old Matera Paper Building is going to be a brewery and event venue. Sockdolager Brewing Company will run the brewery. Set to open by summer 2020.
- The Local (250 Cypress Street) The old Busch Jewelers building is going to be a restaurant and bar focusing on Mexican dishes. Set to open in Fall 2019.
- Parramore Square (702 Orange Street) – Contemporary townhomes already in the works and available for purchase. The community could eventually include a gated block with a common recreation area.
- Unidentified (1166 N 2nd Street) – No plans announced
- SoDA District Warehouse (806 S 2nd Street) – SoDA District Warehouse. Currently seeking tenants for 5,200 sq ft of open warehouse space.
- Unidentified (1201 N 4th Street) – Building will soon be turned into 18 new living spaces complete with private parking and wrap around balconies.
- Casa Authentique (201 Walnut Street) – The old Casa Authentique building is for sale. The City hopes to attract a ’boutique hotel’ and is offering to package the 45,000 sq ft department store with a nearby 30,780 sq ft building (see 159 Walnut Street below).
- Unidentified (159 Walnut Street) – An old three-story manufacturing facility is for sale. Can be packed with 201 Walnut Street [see above]
- The Motis Building (202 Pine Street) – The Motis Building will be a three-story facility home to Grain Theory Brewing, boutique retail, professional services, and eventually a basement-level lounge and rooftop space.
- Heritage Building (702 N 2nd Street) – The ‘Pray for Rosie’ building is being turned into an upscale bakery and coffee shop.
- Cotton Exchange (650 N 1st Street) – This space is imagined as a retail center with a covered courtyard and performance space
- The Grand Building (302 Pine Street) – This office building will become the corporate headquarters for Condley & Co.
- Civic Plaza (505 Pine Street) – A developer wants to turn this area into a three-to-four story residential, retail, restaurant, and commercial space.
- Fuse UP (901 N 1st Street) – The Pine Street Underpass will be lighted to signify the fusion between north and south Abilene. Both the driving and the pedestrian portion will be adorned with colorful lights.
- Minter Park (209 Cypress Street) – Minter Park will be getting a remodel/upgrade
- Windsor Hotel (401 Pine Street) – This old hotel-turned rental property will be getting some upgrades to make the location more appealing to younger renters.
- Abilene Convention Center (534 Cypress Street) – The City of Abilene plans to build a 4-star Convention Center Hotel & Festival District under the Hilton DoubleTree brand.
- Six Brothers Brewery (957 N 2nd Street) – Six Brothers Brewery is opening a nano-brewery in Spring of 2019.
- Unidentified (137 Oak Street) – A 7,000 sq ft brick warehouse if for sale in Abilene’s SoDA district.
- Baseball Entertainment District (134 S Cherry Street) – The City envisions this as a stadium-anchored area. They’ve already identified franchise opportunities with the Southwest League of Baseball and American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
- Cedar Creek Waterway – West Bluff (310 S 3rd Street) – Envisioned as the ‘Central Park’ of Abilene
- The Glitch (181 Pine Street) – The Old Majestic building is going to be a one-price arcade of retro games with an old-fashioned soda fountain.
- Mesquite Event Center (201 Mesquite) – Renovations and upgrades planned to include new meeting rooms, a new sidewalk, and some art!
