GRUENE, Texas – (Realty News Report) – Gruene Hall, long recognized as the oldest dance hall in Texas, will soon have a new, contemporary neighbor.
San Antonio-based multifamily developer Embrey Partners is expanding into the rapidly growing single-family for-rent market with a planned community in the historic Gruene neighborhood near New Braunfels.
A Short Walk from Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall
The Embrey development will sit just a short walk from Gruene Hall, established in 1878 and widely promoted as “Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall.” Over the years the venue has welcomed legendary performers including Willie Nelson, the late Jerry Jeff Walker, George Strait, Merle Haggard and Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers.
The 6,000-square-foot dance hall features a steep tin roof, roll-up side flaps that open for outdoor dancing, and an adjoining beer garden that preserves its historic character.
Gruene is located west of Interstate 35 between San Antonio and Austin, on the outskirts of New Braunfels, a city known for celebrating its German settler heritage.
Called the Collection at Gruene, this is Embrey’s inaugural project under its newly launched single-family rental platform.
The community will consist of one- and two-story duplex-style homes—126 structures delivering a total of 252 rental units—designed to offer the feel of a suburban single-family neighborhood within a professionally managed rental development.
The Build-to-Rent Momentum
Build-to-rent has gained traction because it combines private outdoor space and single-family-style amenities with the convenience of rental living. Demand for these kinds of homes rose during the pandemic as open yards and private entrances became more desirable compared with shared corridors and elevators in larger multifamily buildings. With homeownership affordability stretched in many markets, rental single-family homes have become an attractive alternative for many households seeking more space.
Much of the build-to-rent pipeline is backed by established single-family homebuilders branching into rental product, but other developers from different sectors are also entering the space. Embrey’s move into single-family rentals follows that broader industry trend of diversifying residential offerings to meet evolving renter preferences.
“This is an exciting offering for Embrey that expands our current portfolio of luxury living experiences beyond traditional multifamily residences,” said John Kirk, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Development for Embrey.
Gruene sits along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The single-family rental living experience is highly desired by today’s discretionary renter,” said Jeremy Williams, Senior Vice President of Development for Embrey. “We have a premier location where residents can walk to historic downtown Gruene. The community is easily accessible to both Austin and San Antonio and close to local attractions like the Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort and the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.”
Homes in the Collection at Gruene will include modern finishes such as granite countertops and stainless steel kitchen appliances, as well as in-unit washers and dryers. Each home will feature private driveways, fenced yards, and attached garages equipped with EV charging outlets. Select units will offer built-in desks and walk-in showers.
Community amenities will be resident-focused and include a private clubhouse with a media room; a fitness center adjacent to an outdoor exercise and yoga lawn; a resort-style pool with sun decks, cabanas and shaded lounge trellises; outdoor grilling, fireplace and dining areas; and a large, fenced dog park.
The first clubhouse and initial homes were scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2023, with construction of all units expected to finish by early 2024.
Founded in 1974, Embrey has developed nearly 43,000 apartment homes and more than six million square feet of commercial property. The company currently has over 4,000 apartment units under construction.
March 1, 2022 Realty News Report Copyright 2022
File: Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall Gets Build-To-Rent Neighbor
Image: Rendering courtesy Embrey