A familiar commercial site in North Austin—the longstanding home of a pink gorilla statue and infamous Bingo hall—could see transformative redevelopment after Austin City Council approved a zoning change May 22.

The details

The 16-acre site at the corner of Anderson Lane and North Lamar Boulevard, known as Anderson Square, could now support up to 2,400 residential units and 2.4 million square feet of office, retail, and hotel space—up from the 871 housing units previously allowed under the former mixed-use zoning—according to plans filed with the city.

During a community information session, a spokesperson for the property owners, Alice Glasco, detailed a vision of what the property could look like with the new designation of high-density mixed use zoning.

“This vision plan’s intent was to create optimal block sizes that are flexible to include multiple build-up options and uses,” she said.


Plans for the property could include up to four new 20-story high rises as well as:
  • A grid-style street layout to improve connectivity
  • A prominent entry point along Anderson Lane
  • Community-oriented spaces, such as outdoor cafes and public amenities
  • Walkable retail areas
  • Centrally located pocket park and pedestrian paseo
  • Prioritized high housing density throughout the site
  • Multi-story, full-service grocery store
  • Potential hotel
The vision plan for Anderson Square is conceptual in nature and subject to change, Alice Glasco said. (Rendering courtesy city of Austin)
“Nine acres of paved parking—that’s what you have today. So in my view, having a vision like this for the site to be redeveloped to have meaningful, walkable services that help improve the area—adding more housing and mixed use—is a community benefit.”

Staff noted that the property owners plan to recruit local businesses for at least 50% of the commercial space.

In addition to the property overhaul, the project includes a $250,000 investment in the Red Line Parkway—a planned 36-mile linear park and public space following the Capital Metro Red Line from Downtown Austin to Leander. The funds would support design and planning efforts between the Crestview and McKalla stations, as well as connections from the development to the parkway.

Property owners have also vouched for funding of CapMetro bus station improvements near Anderson Square and outlined a parking garage for the site.


Fun fact

Regardless of how the property is eventually developed, the city has asked that the pink gorilla statue be preserved, “a special neighborhood character,” city documents state.

What they're saying

Neighboring resident Steve Rogers expressed optimism about the redevelopment while asking questions during the rezoning information session.


“Most people in our neighborhood don’t live right there—we live adjacent to it—but we want it to be something attractive [and] useful to us.”



Some context

Zoning approval follows a slew of similar requests fielded by the city regarding planned development areas.


The original Anderson Square PDA request dates back to 2023 and was postponed a decision back in December.

At council's request, city planning staff have been working on new land-use rules for development in areas tapped for some industrial and commercial uses. A pair of changes are now proposed for planned development area, or PDA, zoning as well as on commercial highway and industrial properties.