Funding type
This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Smiling Donuts Howard in Austin, TX
525 W Howard Lane Ste 110, Austin, TX, 78753
Smiling Donuts Howard is a new construction project at 525 W Howard Lane Ste 110, Austin, in Travis County, TX, tracked from its Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) registration. Under construction, estimated completion Jan 2027. The project has an estimated value of $120K across about 1,000 sq ft.
- Estimated project value
- $120K
About this figure
Estimated construction cost supplied in the TDLR filing. This is not a current property appraisal or a final construction invoice.
- Reported floor area
- 1,000 ft²
About this figure
Square footage reported for this scope of work. It may cover only part of a larger property.
- Estimated cost / ft²
- $120/sqft
About this figure
Calculated from this filing’s estimated cost divided by its reported square footage. Available only when both figures are supplied; it is not a market benchmark.
- Scheduled duration
- 3 months
About this figure
The interval between the filed start and completion dates. These dates describe the proposed schedule and do not measure actual construction progress.
The project record
Project timeline
Explore filed milestones and scheduled dates. Open a milestone for its source.
4 timeline dates shown.
Project registered · TDLR filing
Registration of the project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordReview complete · TDLR filing
The filing records completion of the accessibility review.
45 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordScheduled construction start · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
16 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordScheduled completion · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
92 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source record
📰About Smiling Donuts Howard
Smiling Donuts Howard is a new 1,000-square-foot donut shop under construction at 525 W Howard Lane Ste 110 in Austin. The project involves building out a shell space to create a dedicated retail environment for the brand. With an estimated cost of $120,000, the work is scheduled to finish in January 2027, following a start date of October 2026.
The facility is registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under the name 525 Howard Lane Retail. The owner of record is 501 Howard LLC, which also holds a registration for Good Luck Tavern and Grill in Austin. KO Design Group LLC serves as the design firm, bringing experience from other retail projects in the region, including the Howard Dessau retail Center. Joshua T Ronson is the registered accessibility specialist ensuring the space meets required standards.
Construction Scope and Timeline
The scope of work is specifically defined as a new donut shop building out of a shell space. This is a new construction project on private land, privately funded for private use. The total estimated cost of $120,000 translates to a cost of $120 per square foot. This figure is close to the Travis County median of $125 per square foot for similar new construction filings. The scheduled build window is 92 days, which is shorter than the county median of 304 days.
TDLR completed plan review in October 2026, and the project status is now Review Complete. Construction began in October 2026 as per the filing. While the TDLR record tracks the construction and accessibility compliance, it does not indicate when the business will open to the public.
Location Context
The project is situated in Travis County, within ZIP code 78753. Census estimates for this area indicate a population of about 58,449 and a median household income of $62,334. City of Austin permit records show 14 permits on file at this street address between January 2026 and August 2026, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. These permits may relate to other tenants or suites at the same address. The project is part of a broader retail presence, as KO Design Group LLC has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $7,675,000 across Texas.
Review Complete
Design review complete, construction may proceed
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Smiling Donuts Howard is a New Construction project located at 525 W Howard Lane Ste 110, Austin, TX 78753 in Austin, Texas. The project has an estimated value of $120K covering 1,000 sq ft. 501 Howard LLC is the property owner and KO Design Group LLC is the design firm of record. The project was registered with TDLR on August 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Smiling Donuts Howard construction scheduled to finish?
Construction is scheduled to finish in January 2027. The project started in October 2026, following the completion of plan review by the TDLR in the same month.
Who is the owner and design firm for this project?
The owner of record is 501 Howard LLC. KO Design Group LLC is the design firm of record, and Joshua T Ronson is the registered accessibility specialist.
What is the estimated cost and size of the new shop?
The estimated cost is $120,000 for a 1,000-square-foot space. This results in a cost of $120 per square foot, which is close to the Travis County median for new construction.
Is the store open for business?
The TDLR record indicates the project is under construction with a completion date of January 2027. It does not confirm that the business is open or operating.
Where is the site located relative to flood zones?
It is designated as zone X according to the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer.
What is Smiling Donuts Howard?
Smiling Donuts Howard is a new construction project at 525 W Howard Lane Ste 110 in Austin, Texas, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Scope of work: New donut shop building out of a shell space.
Is Smiling Donuts Howard open in Austin?
Smiling Donuts Howard is still under construction in Austin, TX, with an estimated completion of Jan 2027 according to its TDLR registration.
Where is Smiling Donuts Howard located?
Smiling Donuts Howard is located at 525 W Howard Lane Ste 110, Austin, TX, 78753, in Travis County.
Who is the owner or developer of Smiling Donuts Howard?
501 Howard LLC is the property owner/developer of record for Smiling Donuts Howard, per its TDLR project registration.
Who is the architect or design firm for Smiling Donuts Howard?
KO Design Group LLC is the design firm of record for Smiling Donuts Howard, according to its TDLR filing.
How much does Smiling Donuts Howard cost and how big is it?
Smiling Donuts Howard has an estimated construction value of $120K and approximately 1,000 square feet (about $120/sqft), based on its TDLR filing.
Scope of Work
New donut shop building out of a shell space.
Note: This project is registered under the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) program. TDLR registration is required for commercial and public facility construction to ensure compliance with accessibility requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 469.
Location & views
525 W Howard Lane Ste 110, Austin, TX, 78753
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