Wanted: mixed retail space, close in, with ample parking. While most urban areas have this wish, developers usually come in, mow down a section of land, erect a generic succession of buildings, and call it a day. But South Austin's Penn Field is a wish come true. Named for Austin aviator Eugene Doak Penn, the historic 17-acre complex adjacent to St. Edward's University was once the site of a WWI-era airfield. And in modernizing the project, the developers were sensitive to the area's history and managed to keep the spirit alive – plenty of barracks, hangars, commissary buildings have remained. Plus, they retained the original water tank and added a snazzy new fountain. Among the tenants that call the complex home are the Design Center of Austin, the Austin Playhouse, Ruta Maya Coffee House, and Clear Channel Communications.
Penn Field
3601 S. Congress
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