The leisure and hospitality market is booming thanks to adaptive reuse in Central Texas.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) State of the Restaurant Industry 2023 Report, the market is rebounding strong. The report is a respected source for industry sales projections and trends, based on insight from NRA economists and surveys from restaurant operators and consumers. Nearly 3 in 4 operators say restaurant business conditions are already close to normal (or getting there), and the focus is on sustaining growth in the coming year.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce recently reported that the Austin metro’s leisure and hospitality industry grew 1,300 jobs from January to February. This makes up about half of all jobs added since last month. Since last year, the leisure and hospitality industry added 13,400 jobs, an impressive 13.4% growth.
Framework Architects is experiencing this growth first-hand. The company has seen its hospitality business increase, particularly involving adaptive reuse projects. Jeremy Koomler, cofounder at Framework says, “For us, we are seeing these statistics “develop” in real time. Our firm continues to see an increase in restaurant projects--a good thing for us--because we find them very rewarding to design.” Jeremy enjoys these project types because they offer his team the opportunity to showcase their experience in bringing tired buildings, often situated at great locations, back to life to accommodate unique, new food concepts. The projects below represent a sampling of the team's recent work.
ANOTHER BROKEN EGG, AUSTIN
*Photography courtesy of Errich Petersen Photography
Another Broken Egg (ABE) at The Linc recently held its grand opening. The space is a 4,000 SF adaptive reuse, full-service restaurant/bar. ABE is a national breakfast/brunch franchise.
NERVOUS CHARLIE'S, CEDAR PARK
On Whitestone Blvd. in Cedar Park, the second location of Nervous Charlies is coming soon. This is a 1,500 SF fit-out of a cold dark shell, transforming it into a space that serves amazing bagel sandwiches.
NEW RESTAURANT, AUSTIN
In downtown Austin, Framework is designing a new 2,600 SF full-service restaurant/bar, an adaptive reuse in the Corazon mixed-use building on East 6th Street.
EL NUEVO MEXICO, AUSTIN
El Nuevo Mexico is an adaptive reuse restaurant dining addition and bar renovation to an established Mexican restaurant in North Austin on Anderson Lane.
In addition to the above-featured projects, Framework has completed test fit & concept planning for an Italian Market, construction is underway on the Poki Bowl franchise in Cedar Park, Brooklyn Dumpling's newest location in Austin is entering construction, and a restaurant renovation/addition to the original Dollar Slice Club is in design.
Transforming abandoned spaces into revitalized, thriving dining options is helping keep Austin’s culture alive, while setting a new vision for dining experiences in the future. Through their work, Framework is helping Austin's flourishing restaurant scene continue to grow and prosper.
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