Being the only spot in the country with a permanent F1 track makes Austin attractive— and contributes billions of dollars to our local economy annually. Between events like F1 weekend, MotoGP and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) World Endurance Championship, Circuit of the Americas (COTA, circuitoftheamericas.com) attracts millions of race fans and others who expressly visit for headlining concerts at its giant outdoor amphitheater. (Kesha, Muse, Hilary Duff, and even a triple ticket with Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics, are on the summer lineup.)
Development at COTA has shifted into high gear, with plans for a member-only clubhouse boasting two pools, a theme park, a second race track and single-family trackside residences.
Soon, members of The Circuit will be able to enjoy a four-story clubhouse with a restaurant, two pools and a gondola that takes them right to the track.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
CAR CONDOS
Last year, COTA debuted Phase One of its T11 Concourse, a project comprising 61 loft-style spaces built for car enthusiasts and their prized possessions. Starting at 1,500 square feet and ranging in price from nearly $500,000 to almost $3 million, these open-concept spaces allow owners to spend entire days—or weekends—hanging out with friends and family.
Only about a dozen car condos remain available, and T11’s vice president Brad Epstein says he is already seeing intense interest in Phase Two, with some units available for occupancy this summer. As a perk, owners get two weekends to race on the track: they can bring a guest and take out as many cars as they want.
Owners of T11 car condos get exclusive access to COTA's track.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Together with Franck Guilloteau, T11’s vice president of community, Epstein does more than show and sell the condos: he handles the day-to-day operations and connects the owners. “What we’re excited to do is make this a thriving community with a lot of socials throughout the year,” he explains. Owners share access to a community pool, clubhouse and pickleball courts, but their “condos” are not designed for lengthy stays. To that end, Epstein says COTA will debut 38 trackside villas starting next year. Details are pending.
MEMBER PERKS
While car condos and villas can open up worlds of opportunity, when COTA goes private on Jan. 1, 2027, only 250 members of a program called The Circuit will be offered track privileges, at a cost starting at $1 million annually. “It really will be an international crowd,” Epstein predicts.
Members of The Circuit will also have exclusive access to a new, four-story clubhouse with two pools on the roof and an all-day restaurant found at the top of a hill overlooking Turn 1. A gondola will take members straight into the paddock and back. “So again, building a different type of community here,” Epstein explains. The $14 million structure should reach completion in October.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Weekend racers do have something to look forward to, however: Brad says a second, rentable track is in the plans, potentially for 2028.
Dallasite Bobby Epstein purchased 687 acres of land in the mid-2000s, initially planning to develop it into tract housing. But before 2010, the plan steered into an entirely new direction and, by 2012, a track and the posh Paddock Club were completed.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
MORE TO COME
Until then, auto enthusiasts can get an adrenaline fix at the brand-new COTALAND theme park. Ticketholders from last year’s F1 likely noticed Circuit Breaker, a black-and-white coaster, in operation. Palindrome, a blue coaster that goes forward and backward, recently opened, and 32 other rides will launch soon. Epstein says shows, characters, and a family entertainment zone are also underway: “It’s a full theme park.”
In addition to all the aforementioned news, he adds, “I can finally announce that we have the largest hotel in Texas being built here with a golf course.”
The venue will have sports fields, a convention center and a water theme park. “This is, in my opinion, the crown jewel of all the tracks in the world,” Epstein says. “I know the drivers and teams love being here, and this now has the largest attendance in F1 history. But this isn’t just about cars, motorcycles and racing. This is about community and entertaining, everyone having a good time. Truthfully, there is no comparison anywhere. The hospitality and the electricity are like nowhere else.”
