The Backyard, a 50-acre concert and entertainment venue in Bee Cave, Texas on Bee Cave Parkway between RR 620 and West SH 71, celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking recently, a public step toward its upcoming construction. The facility will include two live music venues, a hotel, restaurants and bars, parks, and then also private condominiums and townhomes, office space including a music recording studio, and two data centers.
The ceremonial groundbreaking was presided over by Bee Cave Mayor Caroline Murphy, along with developers John Paul DeJoria and IDM President and CEO Christopher Milam and The Backyard’s original producer, Tim O’Connor, according to Community Impact Newspaper as reported by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. Musician Bob Schneider provided entertainment for the ceremony.
The original The Backyard was on Highway 71 and opened in 1993 but has been closed since the relocation to Bee Cave. The developers hope to bring back some of the well-loved features of The Backyard, while also adding more modern features. The original outdoor amphitheater was a popular icon in the Austin music scene and hosted performances of a wide range of musical styles. O’Connor expressed his optimism that major artists would want to play at the new and updated venue.
The groundbreaking was ceremonial, as the venue is awaiting a certificate of occupancy that will be granted once access to Highway 71 is obtained, Community Impact reported. The only access now is via Bee Cave Parkway, which was a traffic concern for the Bee Cave City Council.