We'd call it a Condo Loco (à la HEB's Combo Loco specials), but it kind of makes sense. The Ivory, the affordable multifamily development underway in East Austin, is offering free e-bike rides with every condo purchase — presumably because the mixed-use building, having no parking, will be car-free.
The condo complex at 1309 Chicon Street, developed by the Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation, is the the second community planned as part of the Chicon mixed-use complex at 1301 Chicon Street, completed in 2018.
Using Austin's Austin's Affordability Unlocked Development Bonus Program to eliminate parking and increase density for the Ivory, the CNRC was able to up the number of units from 22 to 53 and the number of stories from three to five. There are three spaces for commercial tenants on the ground floor.
The Ivory has 13 market-rate units and 40 units available for buyers who make 70 percent or less than the area median family income at the time of move-in. The smallest affordable unit costs around $220,000; market rate is about $450,000.
In keeping with the city's Climate Protection Plan, the building will be solar-powered and all-electric and powered by solar, save one corner commercial unit intended for a restaurant tenant.
Developers hope the increased walkability of the neighborhood as well as a planned CapMetro bus stop in front of the development will help incentivize car-free living at the complex. Also contributing to the car-free lifestyle will be two onsite e-bikes for residents' use only; they'll get three free rides per month, with additional rides costing $6.
Named after longtime East Austin advocate Scottie Ivory and located around a historically active corner of 12th and Chicon streets, the development is meant to be "help bring back the vitality to the neighborhood," according to its website.
Ivory and her family were at the building's groundbreaking Saturday. “It was important to us and really blessed us by allowing us to have her namesake for the building,” CNRC's Sean Garretson said.
The estimated completion date for the Ivory is June 2025, with move-in starting in July and August.
