AUSTIN, Texas — A seemingly abandoned housing development in South Austin is getting a new lease on life, as developers tear down half-built structures to make way for a fresh start.
Neighbors say more than a dozen half-finished homes on West Dittmar Road, formerly known as Southstone, were broken into and vandalized over the last year.
“There were a lot of broken windows and some graffiti,” said Conor Gardener, who lives across the street from the development. “Maybe it lit a fire under someone’s butt to get it demolished.”
The Austin code department team said it’s received 16 complaints about the properties, citing unsanitary conditions and incomplete structures.
However, developer New Home Co. acquired the property in December before it began demolition on March 10. The new development, called Novel, will feature hundreds of homes.
“Novel is going to be a total of 217 homes including duplexes,” said Amy Scott, New Home Co.’s vice president of sales. “We’re so excited to bring this community back to life.”
The project will also include two-story single-family homes. Construction on the first dozen homes is set to begin within the next month, pending permits. The company plans to have staff on-site in mid-April to provide information about the development.
Gardener said he remembers when the Southstone development started going up before construction was paused for two years. He said he welcomes the change.
“I’d be very pro condos, even apartments or mixed-use,” Gardener said. “I’d love to see that.”
Novel is just one of several developments in the Austin area belonging to New Home Co. The California-based homebuilder came to Texas after acquiring Hamilton Thomas Homes in 2023.
New Home Co.’s other developments include The Porch at De Pre in Buda, 6 Creeks in Kyle and Bluffview in Georgetown.