Swinerton Builders and Dick Clark + Associates have completed Workbench, a new four-story office and retail development in East Austin that combines sustainable construction, collaborative workplace design and community-focused development.

Located at 2422 East Seventh Street, Workbench brings together architecture, engineering, construction and real estate firms under one roof. Nearly two-thirds of the building's owners and tenants are women-owned or women-led businesses, marking a notable achievement in the commercial real estate sector.

"Workbench demonstrates what can happen when project partners collaborate from the earliest stages of development," said Mark Vornberg, principal at Dick Clark + Associates. "The building was designed to reflect both the people who use it and the character of the surrounding neighborhood."

Designed by Dick Clark + Associates and constructed by Swinerton Builders, the development features mass timber construction, a renewable building material that helps reduce environmental impact while creating warm, inviting interior spaces. Exposed timber elements throughout the building provide a distinctive aesthetic and contribute to a healthier workplace environment.

Project leaders estimate the building's timber structure stores approximately 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 301 vehicles from the road for one year. Additional sustainability features include abundant natural daylight, shaded glazing to reduce solar heat gain, outdoor patios on every level, a rooftop deck, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient lighting controls.

"What stands out immediately is the building's welcoming, human-scale design," said Alison Satt, vice president and Austin division manager at Swinerton. "At the same time, Workbench reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact through thoughtful design and construction."

The building was designed to support flexibility, accessibility and collaboration, creating opportunities for tenants to connect and work together. Those features have attracted organizations focused on innovation while maintaining strong ties to the local community.

At street level, Workbench contributes to the ongoing revitalization of East Seventh Street. The ground floor includes Legacy Lighting's retail showroom and a prominent corner restaurant space designed to activate the streetscape and serve nearby residents. The restaurant space, which includes indoor and outdoor seating and spans more than 6,000 square feet, remains available for lease.

Now open and nearly fully occupied, Workbench reflects a growing trend in Austin commercial development that balances sustainability, innovation and community engagement alongside continued growth.

The development was created and is occupied by its owner-operators, including Dick Clark + Associates, Swinerton, Legacy Lighting, Beck-Reit Commercial, Fort Structures and Art + Artisans.

To learn more about mass timbers from the pages of W&C, click here.