The Arboretum

Tucked away in the bustling landscape of Northwest Austin, The Arboretum isn’t just a shopping center. It’s a story waiting to be told. The Arboretum, a name synonymous with upscale retail and lush greenery, stands at the intersection of Austin’s major thoroughfares: US-183, Mopac Expressway, and Loop 360. This prime location funnels thousands of people through The Arboretum daily. The Arboretum itself opened in 1985, a brainchild of the Trammell Crow Company. It was a groundbreaking project, Austin’s first multi-property, mixed-use development. Imagine a time before the Pennybacker Bridge, shortly after Loop 360 extended to US-183. The Arboretum was at the edge of Austin’s expansion. It embraced the burgeoning environmental movement, incorporating the natural, wooded landscape into its design, a stark contrast to the typical retail developments of the time. This unique approach attracted high-end retail and key corporate clients, including Dell, which established its headquarters at Arboretum Point before moving to Round Rock in 1996. The Arboretum offered something truly special: walkable amenities for office tenants, a rarity in that part of town. Today, The Arboretum continues to thrive, boasting a mix of national retailers and local favorites. From The Cheesecake Factory to Amy’s Ice Creams, there’s something for everyone. The mix of tenants within The Arboretum’s office spaces reflects the area’s demographic shift. Over the past few decades, household incomes and education levels in the area have risen. This has led to a diverse tenant mix, including international companies like Gemalto and Rockwell Software Inc., alongside smaller businesses. The Arboretum has seen minimal new office construction since 2001. This is largely due to the area being fully built out, a testament to its enduring appeal and efficient use of space. The Arboretum remains a popular destination for both locals and visitors, a testament to its innovative beginnings and its ability to adapt and thrive in a constantly evolving city.