Downtown New Braunfels could be in for a serious growth spurt. A four-story project called The Neue is planned for 699 W. San Antonio St., bringing 43 owner-occupied condominiums stacked above ground-floor retail and a slate of resident amenities. Developers are targeting a June 1, 2026 groundbreaking and eyeing completion in late 2027, pitching the project as a way to put more permanent neighbors in the city’s core and keep downtown businesses humming with consistent foot traffic. If the schedule holds, it would rank as one of the largest new residential investments in the immediate downtown in recent memory.
State filings describe a roughly 72,060-square-foot, four-story building with room carved out for future office and retail, and list construction costs at nearly $20 million. Those same documents put the official construction window from June 1, 2026 through an expected Dec. 1, 2027 finish, according to MySA.
City backs infrastructure upgrades
To help clear the way, the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation has signed off on a $2.2 million incentive package to handle right-of-way, sidewalk, drainage and underground utility upgrades around the site, according to the City of New Braunfels. Presentation materials and local coverage break the incentive into two chunks: $700,000 tied to the completion of right-of-way and utility work, with the remaining $1.5 million paid out once the building secures a certificate of occupancy. Community Impact has characterized the overall plan at roughly $27 million and about 72,000 square feet. City officials say the infrastructure work will be focused along San Antonio Street and Guenther Avenue to boost walkability and make the property shovel-ready.
Developer pitch and amenities
Project materials from Gillum Development and Seals Family Properties read a bit like a resort brochure: a resort-style pool, indoor and outdoor lounge space, fitness center, dog park, pet-washing station and onsite parking are all on the list, according to The Neue. The same marketing notes a preference for owner-occupied units instead of short-term rentals. Roughly 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and office space is also in the plan, opening the door for new storefronts along the block.
Neighbors and council reaction
Not everyone is sold. During a recent council meeting, some residents labeled The Neue a “luxury project” and questioned whether it would do much for families, while city staff countered that more housing downtown would support local shops and restaurants and make it easier to live a walkable lifestyle. Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney called The Neue “a catalytic project” that could encourage additional downtown investment, according to reporting by Community Impact.
Timeline and what’s next
Developers say demolition and early site work are already in motion, with full construction still dependent on permit approvals, securing contractors and coordinating schedules with the city. Reporting shows the financial picture is not entirely locked in: state filings cited by MySA peg construction costs near $20 million, while other industry coverage has pointed to higher overall totals and noted that estimates often shift as plans and bids are refined, according to The Real Deal.
