Projects >> Neighborhood >> Triangle Square

T r i a n g l e    S q u a r e

Austin, Texas

The Triangle Square plan will transform an underutilized site into a vibrant community center containing a range of retail, entertainment, housing, and civic opportunities.

Triangle Square occupies a prime location for urban infill. The site lies two miles north of the state capitol and the University of Texas, at the confluence of three of Austin's "Smart Growth Corridors." For years the site has been underutilized as a stormwater detention site in spite of its prominent location, due to the difficulty developers and community residents had found in achieving a mutually acceptable plan. Through extensive citizen involvement and a careful urban design strategy, the untapped potential of the site has been released.

The quality of open spaces was of primary importance to the community. Triangle Square fosters a variety of civic and recreational opportunities by providing an urban plaza, a formal park, and a "nature" park. Rainwater is retained in the open space during storms.

Examples of successful urban spaces were shown at the workshops. Here, individual departments of a supermarket "spill out" to the sidewalk, enlivening the streetscape with tables, floral displays, and street vendors.