Everything in Texas is Bigger?

It has proven true, everything in Texas is bigger.  From houses to lots, participants of CHBA – Alberta’s first Low-Rise Housing Study Tour in Austin, Texas learned really quickly that the saying does ring true.  Touring close to 30 model homes, one high-rise and an airport redevelopment the group returned inspired, informed, and spoiled by the Texas charm and hospitality.

Austin can be closely compared to Edmonton with a population of just over a million people. It is the political capital and it has a housing market that has weathered the economic storm with relatively low impact.  The tour kicked off with Eldon Rude, Manager at Metrostudy, providing market information about the Greater Austin area.  The first stop was Mueller, an airport redevelopment area in the heart of Austin, which draws many similarities to Edmonton’s former city centre airport.  Here Greg Weaver, Executive VP of Catellus Development, offered the group an overview of the 10 year redevelopment project bringing us to where the area is today.

Tour participants visited seven communities in and around the city over the next two days.  The model homes were impressive in size and imaginative in creative concepts and décor.  Model homes toured averaged 3,200 square feet built on 80 foot lots (and these were the smaller lots).  The prices were tough to estimate and even harder to believe (base homes starting at $210,000).

The tour concluded with a visit to the tallest residential building in downtown Austin with unparalleled views of the horizon on the 56th floor’s fitness and yoga rooms.  Touring a 1,900 square foot suite on the 40th floor and listening to Terry Mitchell, President of Momark Developments, participants were impressed by the amenities the building had to offer. 

After two days of touring the area and enjoying the warm temperatures of Austin, it was time for participants to return to Alberta with new connections, inspiration and energy to put their own spin on their model homes back here. 

"The Austin tour met the needs of each of the varied interests of those who attended and provided networking opportunity and stimilus for meaningful discussions.  It is always refreshing to see what is being developed in other markets. Having knowledge of other markets allows one to critically examine our own successes and failures," Russel Dauk, Rohit Group of Companies.

“Austin was a great opportunity for our builders and government officials to see a very vibrant, attractive city comparable to both, Edmonton and Calgary; with half the housing cost, design differences, different ways to finance communities, to see their airport redevelopment, and to network. We see our own communities and our industry with fresh eyes when we look at what other cities are doing well,” Greg Christenson, Past President of CHBA – Alberta.

CHBA – Albert looks forward to planning a future tour but until then anticipates seeing many familiar faces in Jasper September 20-23 at the annual conference for the Association’s 50th anniversary celebration.  Watch for registration to begin in April.

Special thank you to our sponsor: