Austin transportation authority CapMetro will buy an $87.25 million office building in the Govalle neighborhood to serve as its new headquarters. The CapMet board approved the purchase of Fifth + Tillery, a 182,716-square-foot building on 5.8 acres at 3100 East Fifth Street, from Los Angeles' CIM Group on Monday.
The new property is adjacent to CapMetro's current headquarters, which it leases, at 2910 East Fifth Street. The authority will continue to use its current headquarters as its training academy and for employee offices, according to a Monday social media post. "The new building will help it get workers out of leased spaces and accommodate future growth," according to the post.
Designed by Gensler, Fifth + Tillery was limited to the footprint of the industrial warehouse formerly on its lot. Gensler adapted parts of the existing foundation and infrastructure as well as the site's the water retention systems in its design for the new building and grounds. Architects also made extensive use of mass timber and other elements common in sustainable building. Those include a canopy of photovoltaic panels over a plaza and roof terrace, a shady courtyard Gensler describes as a "central rain garden," and inset fans and louvers for improved airflow and ventilation to cool outdoor areas.
Fifth and Tillery was developed by 3423 Holdings, a limited liability company with an Austin mailing address. The general contractor was R.M. Chiapas. Arete was the MEP engineer., MJ Structures was the structural engineer, and Lloyd Engineering was the electrical engineer. The landscaping was designed by Austin-based Campbell Landscape Architecture. CapMetro will pay Dallas-based CBRE $654,375 in broker fees on the deal.
