Mercury Hall to Close June 2021
Mercury Hall will operate as usual and weddings and events will proceed as scheduled through June 2021
Julie Wilhite Photography
Press Release: Friday November 22, 2019
Merc Properties, Ltd. announced today that they would be closing Mercury Hall, the popular South Austin event destination at 615 Cardinal Lane off South First Street in South Austin. Mercury Hall sits on almost four acres of land in a whitewashed church moved to Austin from Mercury, TX in the late 1990’s. The space will remain open during current ownership until June 2021. All events between now and June 2021 will proceed as scheduled with the same services and support, according to management. Brides and event planners who reserve the venue between now and the planned closing date are assured that all bookings will be honored.
Merc Properties, Ltd. partners purchased the property in 2005 and enlisted the skills of architect Michael Hsu to reimagine the space. Hsu’s renovation of Mercury Hall allowed for a more seamless transition to the outdoors; layered in structure depth and dimension to the landscaping and added new dressing rooms and outbuildings to enhance the event experience.
While not a historic building, the house possesses a whitewashed vintage charm and is a hidden gem surrounded by lush green flora that appeals to brides and event planners alike for its quiet repose within the bustling city limits. It has acquired numerous accolades over the years, “Best of Weddings” from The Knot; “Austin’s Finest Wedding Professionals” from Austin Wedding Guide and regularly voted as one of Austin’s “Best Wedding Venues” by the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll. Business has grown steadily, in spite of hundreds of new event venues opening in the last few years. Hosting almost 300 events per year, Mercury Hall has been busier than its ownership group ever expected.
“As partners we could not be more pleased with the success of Mercury Hall,” offers Mercury Hall Partner Daryl Kunik. “We have really been proud to own and operate such expansive green space in the heart of the city. Unfortunately, our property taxes have tripled over the past five years and it is becoming clear that an event venue is not a viable use on a property of this size and central location. We have held on for a long as we can and are taking our time to find new owners who will be excellent stewards for this beautiful piece of land,” Kunik concluded. While a buyer has yet to be selected, the partners have emphasized a desire for the future of the land to continue to enhance and engage the Austin community. Adds Kunik, “With almost 300 events per year, Mercury Hall has touched a lot of lives and we want that to live on in some way.”
“I want all of our brides and event planners to know that we will be honoring all existing contracts and that it will be business as usual through June 2021, “ assures Venue Manager Courtney Landers. “I am here and ready to answer questions and discuss details as they relate to their specific event here at the Hall,” adds Landers.
As a way to thank the community that has been so supportive through the years, the management team will be raffling off one date per month to a local nonprofit at 75% off or $50/hour. Starting in January 2020 through March 2021, interested parties may email Venue Manager Courtney Landers to enter and each month they will draw one winner. Winners will be able to pick any open date on our calendar between date of winning and the next three months. Interested parties can access the website or Mercury Hall’s Facebook Page for more details.