SpaceX has filed plans for a massive, 521,521-square-foot “shell building” in Bastrop County, located about one hour east of Austin, with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reports Austin Business Journal.
There’s no word yet on what exactly the rocketry and space transportation giant wants to do at this planned facility.
The filings did, however, provide an estimated project cost of $43 million USD. Furthermore, SpaceX estimates the building will be completed by July 2023.
According to a report from earlier in the year, SpaceX purchased dozens of acres of rural land in Bastrop County. The location is fairly close to Austin, which is home to Tesla and the CEO of both companies, Elon Musk.
Musk also has the headquarters for another one of his ventures, The Boring Company, situated near Austin Executive Airport. What’s more, the City of Bastrop happens to be the site of a new research and development center for The Boring Company.
Last month, Musk shot down rumours of building a private airport in Bastrop County. His companies continue to buy up more land in the area, though — especially The Boring Company.
SpaceX’s planned Bastrop facility, named “Project Echo,” was previously spotted in June filings with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Musk’s rocket company was previously approved to build a warehouse on 29.5 acres of land located at 816 FM 1209. The project was estimated to start June 6 and be completed by the end of March 2023.
