DELEA BECKER - REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF AUSTIN Development Update Lunch
Austin's Future is Taking Shape
DeLea Becker : Pioneering Mass Timber Innovation and East Austin's Unstoppable Rise
Picture this: A room buzzing with Austin's top CRE minds—developers, investors, and visionaries—all gathered to unpack the city's hottest projects. That's the scene at the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) Development Update luncheon in June 2025. As a founding equity partner in Workbench (our game-changing mass timber office building) and a 25+ year East Austin CRE veteran, I stepped up to the mic alongside industry titans. Moderated by Brad Bailey of CBRE, the panel included Paul Bodeman from Stream Realty on the bold "Old Sixth is the New Sixth" revival, and Mike McMillan from Brookfield Properties diving into the expansive Easton Park community.
This wasn't your average chat—it was raw, real talk on pivoting through market twists, historic hurdles, and why Austin's CRE pulse is stronger than ever. I dove deep into why we're betting big on Workbench amid 27% office vacancies, and how East Austin's vibe is drawing talent and tenants like a magnet. Buckle up as I recap the electric energy, insider insights, and why this event solidified East Austin as CRE's next frontier.
Workbench: Where Innovation Meets East Austin's Soul
Why mass timber? "Once we've looked at other mass timber buildings, sometimes a developer owner will change direction and go let's do mass timber. And they end up with some issues they have to fix along the way." Pre-planning is key: "All the penetrations are pre planned... Mass timber is the architecture." Benefits? "The buzzwords are low carbon footprint, high community impact... bringing people back to the office."
Addressing vacancies: "We're 27% vacancy in office in Austin. I can't get around that fact... but if you have a long Runway, it's going to be okay." Infrastructure fuels it: "Here's a big one. 23 billion in spending is happening right outside these doors... That's public money, which I always tell people. The government doesn't spend money unless they've done a lot of research."
Financing scoop: "We got it financed because there were six partners... We all signed guaranteed and we guaranteed the full 100%." We nailed it with owner-occupancy: 66% of PARTNERS woman-led! claiming 75% of the space, signing 10-year leases with full guarantees. "We all signed guaranteed and we guaranteed the full 100%," I shared—banks ate it up. As the Texas Real Estate Center calls it, we're a "one-stop developer shop" for AEC pros and innovators.
East Austin's allure: "It is the only place where we still keep it weird. It is incredibly diverse... we've got tons of restaurants, we've got tons of bars... People love to buy sickle cells. We have so many miles of bike lanes." Talent draw: "Companies are moving there because that's where their employees live... It's just a tiny bit more affordable... people can really reduce their cost of living and have an incredible life."
Team vibe: "This has been the most fun part... We have team meetings once a month... We can pivot faster." Amenities: "We'll have seminars, we'll have in house networking events... We're throwing in a podcast studio... You'll all be invited to be on the Boom ATX podcast."
WHY EAST AUSTIN IS SPECIAL
And East Austin? It's Austin's beating heart—diverse, weird, and winning. "It is incredibly diverse in the type of people and the things going on at the restaurants and the bars," I raved. Bike lanes galore, affordable(ish) vibes, and a talent pool that's flipping the script: Companies follow where employees live. "Competition for talent is what it is. You got to go where they are."
Panel Power: Lessons from Austin's Boldest Projects
The magic? Hearing from Paul and Mike on their epics, reinforcing why adaptability rules CRE.
PANEL : DeLea Becker, Mike McMillen, Paul Bodenman
Paul's "Old Sixth is the New Sixth" is reimagining a bar-heavy hotspot into a mixed-use gem. Pivoting from office/hotel to retail-focused amid market shifts, it's preserving history while dodging Nashville's Broadway pitfalls. "We're trying to make it something different," Paul quipped, dodging timeline questions but teasing 7-10 restaurant spots. Challenges like city infrastructure talks? Par for the course, but the vision—boosting downtown density—is electric. Paul on Sixth Street: "The only thing that I would like to stay away from is, what is the final timeline... Otherwise, it's pretty wide open." Pivot story: "We were initially... studying hotel and office and pivoted to a pure play retail blight... the challenges of trying to do food and beverage in downtown Austin." Broadway comparison: "We've looked at it... from an operation standpoint... Broadway just continues to be very bar heavy, which is... Sixth Street's current issue."
Mike's Easton Park? A 2,400-acre master-planned utopia in Southeast Austin, with homes from $330K, 350 acres of parks, and 13 miles of trails. Starting in 2006, it's pivoted through rezonings and slowdowns, now in its 20th year with $500M invested. "There's a lot of nuance," Mike noted on amenities like the 14,000 sq ft Union center and events pulling 4,000 folks. It's affordable living across life stages, tied to 183 connectivity—proving suburban master plans can thrive. Mike on Easton Park: "What's really going on? Because it's... a growing community that's huge down there... amenities and some of the things that you've done unique to your community... I haven't seen done in other master plan communities." Timeline: "We're about to enter our 20th year... here's what we were planning on doing. This is where we are now... and here's where we now are going."
These exchanges? Gold for CRE pros searching "Austin development pivots 2025" or "Sixth Street redevelopment updates."
East Austin: The CRE Hotspot You Can't Ignore
RECA wasn't just talk—it was a rally cry for Austin's future. East Austin leads with its grit-meets-glamour: "We've got tons of restaurants, we've got tons of bars... it is what I think people pictured Austin back in the 80s." Bike trails, walkability, and cost savings make it irresistible. As I put it, "It's just a tiny bit more affordable than the other places, maybe, but we have so much hike, trail, walk—all the things where people can really reduce their cost of living and have an incredible life."
FAQ: Your Burning Questions on East Austin CRE and Workbench
Why build office space in 2025 with 27% vacancy? Long-term vision wins. Infrastructure booms and talent pools in East Austin ensure fill-up. Owner-occupancy de-risks it.
What makes mass timber special? Low carbon, beautiful exposed design, front-loaded planning for efficiency. It's an amenity that boosts appeal.
Why mass timber for Workbench?** "Several things I could talk to the financing of that wanted to do mass timber... they bought timber labs." Low carbon, aesthetic appeal.
Is East Austin still affordable for CRE? Relatively yes—lower rents than CBD, plus lifestyle perks like bike lanes reduce living costs.
What's next for East Austin developments? More adaptive, green projects. Contact us for insider scoops.
How to finance office in a high-vacancy market? = Six partners... 75% owner-occupied... 10-year leases.
East Austin's edge? "Diverse... tons of bike lanes... companies follow where employees live."
Pivots in development "Last fall, some of the partners were like, we're just going to deliver it shell... we pulled the trigger... to build it out."
Future of Austin CRE? "The cranes will come back... as long as Austin stays on top."
Restaurant tenant for Workbench? "We are reveiwing restaurants interested right now. Fourth floor office is going to be a beast... plug and play."
Southeast vs. East Austin? "It's a growing community... unique to your community." – Mike
Craving more? Whether leasing at Workbench or scouting East Austin deals, Beck-Reit is your guide. Email delea@beckreitcre.com or check our East Austin CRE page
THE PROJECTS AUSTIN IS WATCHING
WHAT IS “Workbench “— Beck-Reit Commercial Real Estate’s signature mass timber office project is a bold statement for East Austin. Built with cross-laminated timber, this four-story building combines sustainability, strength, and style. It's a model for the future of green urban construction.
WHAT IS “New 6th is Old 6th “— Stream Realty Partners is breathing new life into the historic core of downtown Austin. With 31 unique parcels and 200,000 square feet under redevelopment, they’re not just restoring 6th Street—they’re preserving its soul.
What Is “Easton Park “—A sprawling 2,700-acre master-planned community by Brookfield Properties in Southeast Austin. Easton Park is a lifestyle-forward development that celebrates Austin culture with live music, food trucks, trails, and a thriving sense of community.
How is DeLea involved in Workbench? – DeLea Becker, Founder, Beck-Reit Commercial & Asset Management
DeLea Becker is a founding equity partner in Workbench, a 48,000 SF mass timber office project in East Austin, delivering January 2026. Her role spans land assemblage, capital structuring, leasing strategy, and long-term hold planning, making her a hands-on example of how local expertise, strategic partnerships, and creative deal-making come together on complex urban infill projects. What sets DeLea apart is her ability to speak fluently across all sides of a deal—developer, GC, leasing, operations, and owner. Her insight helps others anticipate risk, navigate complexity, and make bold moves with clarity. She brings two decades of boots-on the-ground perspective to high- level decisions. As the project nears completion the next phase is preparring for every Tax Strategy we can apply. Delivering the building in 2026 means we will do a Cost Segregation Study and take 100% Bonus Deprecation.
DeLea Becker is Founder & Broker at Beck-Reit Commercial Real Estate, specializing in East Austin for 25+ years. Follow us on LinkedIn for more insights.
