Green Pastures announces that the historic property was sold to a local partnership under the leadership of Austin developer, Greg Porter. Porter and his team plan to restore the home and grounds, while continuing to offer many of the traditions for which Green Pastures is renowned.
“Our families have taken much pride and joy in the hospitality that has been provided to the Austin community since Mary Faulk and Chester Koock opened the restaurant in 1946,” says Green Pastures owner, Bob Buslett. “Our brokerage team of Mark Lander and Dan Castro conducted an extensive search and interview process of possible buyers and negotiated an agreement with Greg and partner La Corsha Hospitality Group that will take Green Pastures into future decades. We are thrilled with the result. We have every bit of confidence that they will carry on the traditions of southern hospitality and attention to detail that our families have offered for the past 69 years.”
Plans for the Green Pastures property include a restoration of the historic home, kitchen and grounds. Prior to the renovation, the restaurant and event business will continue to be operated as is. All currently scheduled events are anticipated to occur as planned and in approximately six months the development team anticipates the renovation to begin. The estimated project will result in the reintroduction of Green Pastures as one of Austin’s most celebrated dining and event venues. The new concept will include some of the things Green Pastures is best known for including Sunday brunch and Mrs. Koock’s milk punch. The development team anticipates a second phase which will include a boutique hotel, the details of which are currently being planned.
“The opportunity to preserve and enhance such an important Austin establishment is a gift,” says Greg Porter, manager of AC 811 Manager, LLC. “The history of Green Pastures and its prior owners deserve to be celebrated and we intend to maintain the integrity and character of the property for future generations to enjoy. This project is a big responsibility and an important part of both the neighborhood and the city of Austin. I can think of no better partner in this pursuit than La Corsha Hospitality Group.”
La Corsha Hospitality Group (LCHG) is an Austin-based management and consulting company that will begin operating the facility immediately. LCHG and its CEO Jeff Trigger, are perhaps best known locally as the team that led the historic restoration of The Driskill Hotel, as well as the more recent development of Second Bar + Kitchen, Bar Congress and Restaurant Congress.
“This has been an extremely amiable transition, and we’re very appreciative of the current owners and staff of Green Pastures,” says Jeff Trigger, CEO of La Corsha Hospitality Group. “As a matter of fact, we’ve already been working with their team who today became part of our La Corsha family. The most recent chef at Green Pastures, Keith Karp, has begun to integrate at Second Bar + Kitchen where it was determined that his passion and skills would be better displayed. We’re pleased to announce the opening chef for Green Pastures will be our newest colleague, Chef Joshua Thomas.”
Chef Thomas will initially carry on the tradition of offering Green Pastures favorites until the renovation begins, then lead the effort to develop the new concept and menu which will reflect the tastes and trends of Austin. Thomas began his culinary career at Le Bernardin in New York City, a three-starred Michelin restaurant, where he developed his culinary skills under world-renowned chef, Éric Ripert. Thomas also held the executive sous chef position at Devi, where he and his team earned their own coveted Michelin-star. Thomas most recently owned and developed Chaat Shop, an Indian street-food concept in Austin.
Other team members in the development and restoration of Green Pastures include Co-Partner Ryen Burrus, Clayton&Little Architects, KBGE Engineering, landscape architects Mark Wood and Billy Spencer, and interior designer Joel Mozersky. Dan Castro and Mark Lander brokered the transaction.
The original house that Green Pastures occupies was built in 1895. Henry Faulk purchased it in 1916 as a residence for his large family. One of his daughters, Mary Faulk Koock with her husband, Chester Koock, turned the residence into the restaurant we know as Green Pastures in 1946. The restaurant has been a leader in true southern hospitality and exceptional food. Green Pastures is nationally acclaimed as one of the most beautiful wedding venues, and is locally famous for its Sunday brunches and milk punch. It is located at is located at 811 W Live Oak Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704.