The Laurels, located within the Legend Oaks subdivision of southwest Austin, spans 17 acres just shy of William Cannon near Highway 290. This condominium development, bisected by a city street, was skillfully transformed by SDC into two distinct entities, comprising a total of 129 units. With sixty-three triplex townhomes designed for those seeking an economical yet quality living alternative to apartments, and sixty-six duplex garden homes—most featuring single-story layouts—catering to the burgeoning demographic of empty nesters and lifestyle shifters in the area.
Encircled by developments of single-family homes, the site originally held multi-family housing zoning, allowing up to 25 units per acre. Concerns from the subdivision owner about potential depreciation of lot and long-term home values due to a high-density, for-rent development prompted Jay Symcox to propose a visionary solution. By developing townhomes and garden homes, the plan aimed not only to harmonize with the existing neighborhood aesthetic but also to uphold property values and surpass the financial returns of a single-family scheme.
Symcox’s moderate-density proposal garnered endorsements from both city officials and the local community, overcoming previously restrictive deed limitations that threatened the project's viability. His efforts ensured timely approvals and entitlements ahead of impending, stricter regulations. His expertise in master planning leveraged the site’s challenging topography, resulting in a community that seamlessly complements the character of nearby homes.
Construction of The Laurels at Legend Oaks unfolded in four phases starting in 1998, culminating in a fully SOLD-OUT project by the first quarter of 2002.
Location: Southwest Austin, TX
Size: 129 Townhome and Duplex Residences
Acreage: 17 Acres