Rhino Conservation Center in Fredericksburg, TX

Longneck Manor, a wildlife conservation destination in Fredericksburg, is moving forward with a new construction project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (TDLR) under the name Rhino Conservation Center. The facility, located at 1749 Beyer Road, is scheduled to finish in February 2027, following a construction start date of July 2026. This new build represents a significant investment in the site's infrastructure, with an estimated cost of $2,000,000 and a total floor area of 10,067 square feet.

The scope of work defines a specialized animal care facility designed for rhinoceroses and other mammals. The construction includes a dedicated rhinoceros barn featuring eight stalls and three outdoor paddocks to ensure proper animal housing. Additionally, the project incorporates keeper space for staff, a small mammal habitat, and an adjacent animal food prep room to support daily care operations. A small lobby and terrace are also part of the build, intended to facilitate animal encounters for visitors.

Sean McNicholas is listed as the owner and developer of record for this private, privately funded project. The architectural design is attributed to Lea Rogers Architecture, a firm that has previously completed another TDLR-registered project in Fredericksburg for Longneck Manor, valued at $2,400,000. Martelle Luedecke serves as the registered accessibility specialist, ensuring the facility meets necessary standards during its development phase.

From a financial perspective, the project's cost per square foot is calculated at $199. This figure is close to the county median of $200 per square foot for new construction in Gillespie County. The total estimated cost of $2,000,000 is above the county median of $1,100,000 for similar new construction filings. The scheduled build window of 210 days is shorter than the county median of 365 days, indicating a rapid construction timeline relative to regional norms.

TDLR completed the plan review process in August 2026, marking the project's status as Review Complete. This regulatory clearance allows the construction phase to proceed according to the filed schedule. The development takes place on private land in Gillespie County, a region where the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July 2026. While the TDLR record focuses on the construction of the physical structures, third-party sources such as Visit Fredericksburg describe Longneck Manor as a unique conservation destination offering luxurious accommodations and animal encounters.

The project sits within ZIP code 78624, which has an estimated population of about 23,610 residents according to U.S. Census data. The median household income in this area is $67,987, and the median owner-occupied home value is $439,600. Longneck Manor is positioned as a non-profit conservation park, with local coverage noting its proximity to Main Street in Fredericksburg. The new construction aims to enhance the facility's capacity for conservation efforts and visitor experiences through the addition of specialized animal habitats and support spaces.