A rendering illustrates the planned mixed-use development near Gruene, where a bank, tap house and outdoor gathering spaces are designed to blend recreation, hospitality and everyday banking.
Courtesy of Beaty Palmer Architects
Gruene has long been one of New Braunfels’ biggest draws, with visitors coming for its historic buildings, local shops, restaurants and iconic venues.
Now, several new projects are planned around the district that could add new places to eat, shop and gather while developers say they are working to complement the area’s historic character.
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Here is what is coming to one of the Texas Hill Country’s most popular destinations.
Signage welcomes guests to Gruene Historic District on December 10, 2025.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
The Gärten at Gruene aims to create a walkable destination
One of the most ambitious projects is The Gärten at Gruene, a planned mixed-use development from New Braunfels custom homebuilder Meyer Brant Custom Homes.
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The project is planned for a 3-acre site and will include roughly 22,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and office space across eight buildings, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Plans call for two restaurants, a wine bar with food, a coffee shop, retail storefronts and second-floor office space. Developer Kyle Brant said the goal is to create a walkable destination where visitors can spend more time exploring local businesses rather than a traditional shopping center.
“We’re really taking that approach with the attention to detail, and we really want it to look timeless and classic and not just another strip mall out there,” Brant told MySA.
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Brant said he hopes to attract locally owned businesses that can grow alongside New Braunfels.
Gruene, Texas on December 10, 2025.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
New retail project planned near Gruene Historic District
A separate project could bring even more commercial space near the district.
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State filings show plans for Lower Gruene Retail, a two-story mixed-use retail development expected to span about 66,500 square feet. The project carries an estimated construction cost of $14 million and would include a shell building designed for future tenant spaces.
According to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion projected for 2027. Project details are subject to change.
Once completed, the development would expand the retail options near the historic district, which continues to attract visitors looking for shopping, dining and entertainment experiences.
A rendering shows the proposed Hill Country development just outside Gruene, featuring a modern bank office alongside a tap house and open-air gathering areas.
Courtesy of Beaty Palmer Architects
New Gruene-area project aims to add another visitor destination
Just outside Gruene, Bank 1901 is planning a $7 million mixed-use development designed to be more than a traditional bank branch. The project will pair a new financial center with a Fast Friends Beer Company tap house, outdoor gathering areas, pickleball courts, a live music stage and other community-focused amenities.
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A rendering depicts the proposed 16,000-square-foot mixed-use development near Gruene, including a bank, pickleball courts, and a beer garden designed as a community gathering space.
Courtesy of Beaty Palmer Architects
The project is being developed as the bank expands its presence in Central Texas. Formerly known as Karnes County National Bank, the institution is rebranding as Bank 1901 as part of its broader growth strategy. Bank leaders said the new Gruene-area location represents an opportunity to blend banking, hospitality and recreation into one destination.
“We want to augment the experience that happens in Gruene,” Bank 1901 CEO Alec Alexander told MySA. “We want to be a part of the community and not compete with it.”
The property at 1254 Gruene Road in New Braunfels, formerly home to Hunter Junction in the historic Gruene district, is set for a $100,000 renovation that will add a new bar and updated amenities.
Nicholas Hernandez/MySA
Historic Gruene property getting upgrades
Smaller projects are also adding new investment to the area.
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A former Gruene property is undergoing a $100,000 renovation that includes a new bar, storage rooms and updated ADA-accessible restrooms. The project could bring a refreshed hospitality concept to a longtime location within the district. Construction was scheduled to begin June 18 and is expected to wrap up by August 10, according to the filing. All TDLR filings are subject to change without notice.
Together, the projects reflect continued investment around Gruene as New Braunfels grows. While the historic district continues to evolve, developers behind some the latest projects say the focus remains on adding new experiences while preserving the charm that has made Gruene a destination for generations.