Adapted from the Office of Public Affairs
The Episcopal Church welcomes proposals for developing Block 87: The Trinity Block, the last undeveloped property in downtown Austin, Texas. Now a parking lot, Block 87 has the potential for more than 600,000 developable square feet.
The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls, the church’s chief operating officer, invited proposals on Sept. 16. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society purchased the block in 2009 as a potential site for the Archives of the Episcopal Church.
“The archives are currently located at the Seminary of the Southwest in space the collection has long since outgrown,” Bishop Sauls said.
The church seeks to develop the block for the archives, plus other office, residential, and retail uses.
“The Episcopal Church has been part of Texas and of Austin since its beginning,” Bishop Sauls said. “Our next General Convention, our highest governing body, will meet in Austin in July 2018. We are committed to this development being a benefit to all segments of the community and something of which that Austin will be proud.”
“We are thrilled that the Episcopal Church has made plans to develop property in Austin for a permanent home for the church’s archives,” said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. “This will ensure a secure location for these historic documents in a setting that will welcome scholars to both build and access the church’s history for generations to come.”
The Rev. Canon Lang Lowrey III, asset manager, and brokers Clinton Sayers II and Paul Byars will represent the church in this venture.
“This property sits at the crux of three distinct districts: Austin’s creative scene with the Red River District and East Austin, its burgeoning medical district to the north, and the tech and hospitality anchors downtown already provides,” Lowrey said. “We believe that the Trinity Block promises the largest development opportunity in downtown. And given that there are so many different uses that could do well at this location — from the large, modern floor plan in office buildings to micro-units for residences — we are excited to work with prospective partners to develop this site.”
