East Austin is on track to get a boost in affordable housing through the Seabrook Square multi-family development, breaking ground in a cooperative push by the City of Austin Housing Department and key partners. The new digs at 2210 Pershing Drive, formerly known as 3511 and 3515 Manor Road, will feature 204 units dedicated to households earning no more than 60% of the Median Family Income (MFI), according to a release obtained by the housing department's website.
The development, spread over roughly three acres, is set to be an oasis for East Austin's artist community, offering 10 "live-work-residence-studios" specifically carved out for local creatives. Mandy DeMayo, the Housing Department's Interim Deputy Director, professed, "The Seabrook Square groundbreaking shows exciting progress in our collective efforts to bring more affordable housing options to Austinites," per the Housing Department's announcement.
Strategically partnered with The NHP Foundation, Capital A Housing, and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), the initiative marks NHPF's first foray into the Austin market. Robert Jefferson, Senior Development Director at NHPF, told the housing department, "Partnering with local organizations to complement strengths in the service of bringing much-needed affordable housing to Austin residents is a crucial step in the effort to fill the region’s housing needs."
Seabrook's design isn't just about offering a roof and nurturing a thriving community with on-site features like a black-owned café, artist incubator, and open spaces for interactive engagement. According to Capital A Housing Principal Conor Kenney, the aim goes beyond basic housing. "In a market like Austin where everyone is desperate for housing, it is relatively easy to just throw up a generic apartment building, call it Low Income Housing and you’ll be fine,” Kenney stated, as per the announcement. "Seabrook Square will be so much more - everything from the landscaping to the cafe to the live-work spaces are going to be a symbol of what everyone on this team is committed to doing for our community."
Beyond the residences, the $74.5 million project encompasses about 3,000 square feet of commercial space, a lively public plaza, and a community center for residents. An estimated move-in date for tenants is set for July 2025. With an eye towards inclusivity and a nod to the past, Seabrook Square pays homage to Dr. John Jarvis Seabrook, an influential Black educator and community leader, embodying his vision for a collaborative and accessible neighborhood.
