Bouldin Creek Cottages forms a community of 33 standalone single-family residences within 1.5 miles of downtown Austin, nestled in the historic Bouldin neighborhood. By blending condominium land planning with classic neighborhood design, this development bridges the gap between modern, spacious living and the charm of the adjacent 1920s bungalows. All cottages are equipped with cathedral ceilings, covered front and back porches, cozy wood-burning fireplaces, attached two-car garages, and more, all were competitively priced on a per-square-foot basis comparable to or lower than surrounding older homes.
The project began with a challenging multi-lot infill site featuring diverse zoning categories and outdated, intersecting utility easements. This three-acre plot, situated adjacent to a public housing project, was marred by trash and neglect. Other developers had explored this site, but traditional platting methods yielded only seven to eight potential homes, rendering it challenging.
Jay Symcox, applying his innovative land-planning skills, ingeniously maximized yield while preserving the neighborhood’s unique allure. His strategy involved the introduction of a private street and application of developmental ordinances to lower per-lot expenses and attain a density level that rendered the project economically viable. His expertise was crucial in designing, engineering, and securing approvals for the site plan, which offered a density exceeding 10 units per acre for single-family detached homes.
Construction on the Bouldin Creek Cottages began in the summer of 1999 and culminated by the first quarter of 2001. The project has fully sold out, surpassing projected returns and profitability by at least 50 percent, a testament to successful, thoughtful development.
Location: Bouldin Creek, Austin, TX
Size: 33 Single-Family Residences