Active Development

St. James New Day Development

A faith-anchored, mixed-use community on Austin's East Side.

3417 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Austin, TX 78721

20

Acres

85

Affordable units (Phase 1)

CD1

Council District

5

Phases planned

About the Project

The St. James New Day Development is one of the most significant community-driven projects on Austin's East Side. Anchored by St. James Missionary Baptist Church and developed in partnership with uKnighted Enterprises and BiGAUSTIN, this 20-acre campus at 3417 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd is designed to serve the families and small businesses that have defined this neighborhood for generations.

Phase 1 delivers 85 affordable housing units, ground-floor commercial space, and a dedicated childcare center — the kind of infrastructure that lets families stay in the community where they have roots. The full campus vision extends well beyond Phase 1, with plans for multi-family residences, townhomes, a community event center, mixed-use retail, and a central greenway with sports and recreation facilities.

This is not a development that drops into a neighborhood and extracts value. Every element of the St. James campus is designed to strengthen the community that already exists here — to give longtime residents a reason to stay, and to create the kind of ownership opportunities that build wealth across generations.

Project Gallery

Street-level rendering of mixed-use retail and community amenity space with storefronts and pedestrians
Concept rendering of a colorful community promenade with seating and shade structures
Evening rendering of a mixed-use plaza with restaurants, retail, outdoor dining, and string lights
Aerial view of a nature-inspired children's playground with slides, climbing structures, and landscaped greenery
Multi-level mixed-use community building at night with illuminated ground-floor cafes and open-air terraces
Daytime rendering of a public plaza with a disc-shaped shade canopy and the historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church in the background
Aerial site plan showing the St. James development parcel highlighted within the surrounding neighborhood

Development Phases

1

Phase 1 — Housing & Childcare

In Progress

85 affordable residential units, ground-floor commercial, and a childcare center.

2

Phase 2 — Multi-Family

Upcoming

Additional multi-family units to serve the broader community.

3

Phase 3 — Townhomes

Upcoming

For-sale townhomes creating homeownership opportunities for community members.

4

Phase 4 — Retail & Event Center

Upcoming

Mixed-use retail and a community event center anchoring the commercial corridor.

5

Phase 5 — Greenway & Recreation

Upcoming

Central greenway with sports facilities, parks, and outdoor community space.

Project Details

Type
Mixed-Use Community Development
Status
Active Development
Location
Austin, TX 78721
Acreage
20 acres
Units
85+

Partners

  • St. James Missionary Baptist Church
  • uKnighted Enterprises
  • BiGAUSTIN

Highlights

  • Faith-anchored development with St. James Missionary Baptist Church
  • 85 affordable housing units in Phase 1
  • Dedicated childcare center serving working families
  • Ground-floor commercial space for local businesses
  • Full campus vision across 20 acres in Council District 1
  • Community ownership structure preserving long-term wealth

Interested?

Reach out to learn more about this project or partnership opportunities.

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