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a photo showing the front entrance and sign for music venue, Hole in the Wall Austin, TX
  • Arts and Culture

Hole In The Wall

The primary goal of the Austin Cultural Trust is to acquire and preserve arts, cultural, and music spaces to ensure Austin’s vibrant creative community can thrive amidst rising real estate costs. This is achieved through strategic public and private partnerships to create long-term, affordable spaces for artists and organizations, such as the preservation of iconic venues like The Hole in the Wall
Developer / Partners
Property owner, Hole in the Wall management, and City of Austin
Project Goals
Affordability for cultural venues, Iconic music venue preservation, Support for local artists
Key Features
Performance space, community gathering space, Amity’s Coffee and Karaoke
Arts, Music, & Culture

Hole In The Wall: Project Facts

  • Arts and Culture
Location
2538 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX
Contributors
Austin Cultural Trust
Investment
$1.6M
Size / Scope
8,000 sq feet
Completion Date / Timeline
Agreement signed in 2023

Why It Matters

In 2023, Rally Austin negotiated a 20-year, below-market stabilized lease for Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe St.) less than a year before the venue’s 50th anniversary. Faced with unsecured short-term lease renewals, rising monthly rent and substantial property tax increases, The Hole in the Wall was at risk of shutting its doors before Rally stepped in as a facilitator between the venue and property owner to forge a long-term solution that maintained the Austin institution. Rally Austin facilitated the $1.6 million investment for the venue which included both lease support over the twenty-year lease in the form of a rent subsidy, as well as funds to improve the venue support.
The Hole in the Wall is a beloved music venue that has served as a go-to music venue by many locals and tourists alike as well as The University of Texas at Austin community since the early 1970s.
Photo of the counter at Amity's Coffee Shop with an espresso machine and wall with decorative coverings.
Hole in the Wall Austin, TX
In the spring of 2025, Rally supported additional improvements to update the rear portion of the venue to include a new cafe and additional venue space for shows, karaoke, and events. The space also received updated air conditioning and modernized bathrooms to improve the visitor experience.

Project Timeline

  • June 1974
    Hole in the Wall founded

    Hole in the Wall founded: Cugini family opens HITW as bar and restaurant across from UT Austin

  • March 2022
    Call for Proposals

    Rally Austin reviews proposals and begins negotiations with HITW

  • June 2023
    Agreement Signed

    Funding Agreement signed using Iconic Venue Funds

  • May 2025
    Café Opens

    Café opens to expand daytime utilization

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