Austin Board of REALTORS® Announces Plans to Build New Headquarters
Larger facility will provide latest technologies, new resources for association members
AUSTIN, TX – September 5, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) announced plans to begin construction on an approximately 33,000-square-foot new member facility. The new building will provide multiple new technologies and member services for ABoR’s nearly 9,000 members across Central Texas, along with staff offices.
Cathy Coneway, Chairman of ABoR, explained: “We’re thrilled to announce the plans for our new facility. ABoR’s members are technologically savvy and highly mobile. Our new building will be dedicated to giving them the member services they expect along with the technology and educational resources they need to serve consumers.”
The new building will offer significantly more space for member services than its current offices on Stonelake Boulevard. In addition to three auditoriums, several conference rooms, and a member lounge, the building will contain a computer lounge and a room available for members to reserve to conduct property closings and other work, take phone calls and meet with clients.
Coneway added, “Not only will members be able to work and learn in the new space, but they will also be able to stop by the member lounge where they can take a break between classes and enjoy the views of Austin’s rolling hills. We want this to be a place where members can network with peers and recharge themselves and their mobile devices.” In addition, each educational classroom in the new ABoR facility will be equipped with video technology .
The new headquarters will be designed to generate non-dues revenue as an event space. When not in use by members, the general public will be able to rent out the main auditorium and event center for wedding receptions, corporate retreats and other evening or weekend events.
The facility will be located at 4800 Spicewood Springs Road in Austin, a location chosen for its central location to where the majority of ABoR’s membership lives and ample space for classes and events.
When ABoR sold its facility on Medical Parkway nine years ago, the proceeds were immediately invested to eventually finance the purchase and construction of a new facility. Last winter, the ABoR Board of Directors commissioned a facilities task force to begin exploring options and next steps for its construction.
“For years, leasing was a more profitable investment strategy than buying, but the market has since shifted and now it’s time to buy,” said Jay Gohil, Chair of the Facilities Task Force. “ABoR is in the business of advocating for property ownership, so it’s only natural that our association be a property owner, too.”
More details about the new facility will be given at an in-depth showcase at the annual Realty Round Up trade show on Wednesday, October 16. ABoR is also in the process of creating a webpage that will provide information about the new facility as it is built.
Coneway concluded, “The new ABoR facility will mirror the values that Austin holds dear—sustainable design, superior technology and the beauty of Austin’s hill country. It’s a perfect reflection of the culture of Austin and our association.”
The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) is a non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to educating and supporting Central Texas REALTORS®. ABoR proudly serves over 9,000 members, promotes private property rights, and provides accurate, comprehensive property listing information for the Greater Austin area. For more information, please contact the ABoR Marketing Department at marketing (at) abor (dot) com or 512-454-7636. Visit AustinHomeSearch.com, a public resource on Austin real estate, for the latest news on the local housing market.
