Which historic Austin mini train was this South Lamar condo project just renamed after?

Many Austinites know the name Zephyr from the beloved kiddie train that for years chugged through one of Austin's favorite playgrounds, Zilker Park.

Now, an upscale condominium project being built on South Lamar Boulevard will bear the name Zephyr, after the Zilker Zephyr train. The Zilker Zephyr stopped service in 2019 but is due to be replaced by a new miniature train named after the original train dating to 1961, the Zilker Eagle.

Construction is well underway on the five-story condo project, which Austin-based Pearlstone Partners is developing at South Lamar Boulevard and Bluebonnet Lane. The building will have 182 units and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year. Formerly called Montage South Lamar, the project broke ground in March 2023.

Pearlstone officials said the rebranding pays homage to the Austin mini train that made many a journey at nearby Zilker Park, delighting its children and adult passengers, and the joggers, walkers and cyclists on the hike and bike trail.

“Zephyr is as unique as Austin, and we wanted to capture that with the name as a tribute to the city,” said Tayler Davis, Pearlstone's marketing director.

Prospect Real Estate is marketing the units. The sales center just opened across the street, at 2330 S. Lamar Blvd.

“We continue to build on the success of our joint projects with Pearlstone Partners as their primary residential sales team," said Denise Bodman, vice president of real estate sales at Prospect Real Estate. "Our other joint project, Parkside at Mueller, sold out within a few months, and is scheduled for spring move-ins. We anticipate Zephyr to elicit a similar sell-out response.”

Zephyr will have studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Prices are expected to range from $545,000 to more than $1 million, for units varying in size from 677 square feet to 1,357 square feet across the project. The ground floor will have retail and restaurant space, as well as a few larger live-work units. 

Amenities will include a black-and-white tiled pool; a rooftop terrace; a clubhouse; a dog park and dog-washing stations; a fitness studio; bike storage and repair stations; and co-working spaces.

The project's architect was Austin-based STG Design, and the interiors were designed by Kim Lewis Designs, also based in Austin.

In keeping with Austin’s art scene on South Lamar Boulevard, the design team has tapped Austin muralist Emily Eisenhart to create a large-scale mural on part of the building, and spanning its full height.

Some of Pearlstone other Austin projects include the Belvedere, where site work is underway at 300 Pressler St. for what will be a 247-unit condominium project, and Vesper, a high-rise in downtown's Rainey Street. Vesper's first buyers are expected to begin moving in this spring. Prices across the project range from $565,000 to more than $2 million.