Kenneth D. Carr is a native Texan from Corpus Christi and is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in real estate. Ken spent several years as an economics graduate student and taught economics and monetary theory at the University of Southwest Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana. In 1968, Ken returned to Austin to accept a position with Nieman, Hanks and Puryear in commercial real estate brokerage. In 1974, Ken became a partner of the firm. While with NHP, Ken gravitated to the development side of the commercial real estate business and developed the 2200 Guadalupe Building, a multi-use retail and office property, in addition to retail projects such as South Lamar Park, Creekside Square, and multiple free-standing restaurants, and build-to-suit properties.
In 1978, Ken sold his interest in Nieman, Hanks and Puryear and formed Vanguard Properties, a brokerage and development company, to develop, manage, and lease commercial projects. Vanguard’s first project was West Anderson Plaza in 1978. Several other developments include Oak Hill Plaza, Lakehills Plaza, Cedar Park Square, Bee Cave Corner and Tarrytown Center. In 1994 Ken sold his interest in Vanguard Properties to his associates.
In 1991 Ken formed Carr Development, Inc. West Lake Court, a specialty center in West Lake Hills, was the first retail project developed. In 1996, development started on Uplands Village, a 25-acre commercial subdivision in the Village of Bee Cave. The Uplands Village property was subdivided, and multiple commercial buildings were built including the Uplands Village Shopping Center. In 1998, Sundown Park Office Building, a Class A office building, was built in West Lake Hills. Brodie Park Shopping Center began development in 2004 and was completed in 2006.
In 2010, Ken became Chairman of the Board of Carr Development, Inc. and moved to Fredericksburg, Texas. Ken expanded his involvement in non-profit educational interests. Ken is a founding member of the board for the Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts and is a member of the board for the Hill Country University Center. Development is in his blood, and Ken has created multiple retail and office developments throughout Central Texas.
Ken’s current projects include Barons Park in Fredericksburg, Texas, an 86-unit apartment development on East Ufer Street in the center of town, and the 805 West Main Street retail center. The Seven Hills Resort and Conference Center project, planned to be located on approximately 22 acres between West US 290 and North US 87, also in Fredericksburg, was recently sold for future development.
Ken was active in The Young Men’s Business League of Austin and the Austin JC’s, was a board member of the Austin Civic Ballet, and was a President of the Austin Commercial Real Estate Society. Retirement is approaching and Ken plans to continue to support our environment, wildlife, and nature: issues that are truly important to all. Ken was a founding member (1969) of the Highland Lakes Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and he continues to support DU, Pheasants/Quail Forever, and Trout Unlimited.
Ken’s current interests involve observing nature, hunting, fishing, bicycling, travel, and charitable activities.
