AUSTIN, TEXAS—Pfluger Architects and developer SHIR Capital are helping alleviate Austin’s affordable housing crisis by transforming vacant and distressed hotel buildings into modern, convenient and affordable apartments in the heart of the city. The recently completed Veer Apartments features more than 89,000 square feet of living space and amenities in 174 pet-friendly units, all outfitted with modern floorplans and brand-new, efficient appliances.
Veer Apartments, a former Quality Inn, ideally situated near the intersection of I-35 and Highway 183, is now a renovated five-story building offering spacious studio apartments in two floorplan choices. Conveniently located near retail, dining and entertainment venues as well as Austin ISD schools, The University of Texas at Austin campus, and major employers, Veer offers attractive resident amenities including an outdoor pool and BBQ grills, 24-hour fitness center and pet spa.
“Adaptive reuse projects like Veer Apartments are poised to make a huge difference in the communities where they are located,” said Erik Leitner, Principal and Senior Project Architect for Pfluger Architects. “The hotel floor plate is not much different from that of a studio or one-bedroom apartment, so the conversion and redesign is less expensive and time-restrictive than other adaptive reuse projects. These projects create much-needed workforce and student housing in the heart of the city, where affordable housing options were previously limited.”
The Design Added a Fifth Level
Development partners include Austin Outdoor Design as design architect and Avas Construction as general contractor. Originally a four-story building, the design added a fifth level and infilled the interior atrium with apartment units to achieve the highest and best use of the existing site. Metal façade detailing wraps around the exterior windows and balconies, adding a contemporary appearance to the structure. Each of the 174 apartments offers modern finishes and fixtures, vinyl hardwood flooring, a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, fully remodeled bathrooms with tiled showers and modern vanity. The renovation added a fitness center and outdoor pool to the property to complement the business center, on-site laundry facilities, pet spa, and complimentary wi-fi in common areas.
“We’ve seen increasing demand for this type of rental property in urban neighborhoods,” said Elan Gordan, Principal with SHIR Capital. “The advantages of renovating old structures often include lower costs than building comparable new ones, along with more cities willing to ease zoning restrictions and extend tax credits to curb housing crises, encourage more projects like these. Transforming an underutilized hotel property into a vibrant residential community infuses opportunity into the entire neighborhood.”
The Veer Apartments are the latest hotel-to-apartment conversion project by SHIR Capital and Pfluger Architects. Hedge Apartments (381 units) and Alma Apartments (172 units) both opened in Austin in 2024, and forthcoming adaptive reuse properties include the 225-unit Teak Living in Houston and 496-unit Alta Living in Colorado Springs, Colo. Go to https://www.veeraustin.com/.
