Thousands of acres of farmland and grazing meadows. This is what Elon Musk just acquired, according to the Wall Street Journal, who consulted notarial deeds and land documents. The billionaire would have plans to create a utopian vision of Texas in this space. Close to Austin, and thus to his business, the businessman would consider building his own city, where his employees could live and work along the Colorado River.
About fifty kilometers from Austin, the place is ideal to gather the staff of the Tesla gigafactory but also of the factories of SpaceX and The Boring Company. In addition, on the site, it is already possible to find a sign: “Welcome to Snailbrook, Texas, created in 2021.”
Hundreds of houses under construction
This name, which means snail in French, is a reference to The Boring Company. This company proposes to create tunnels under the cities to relieve traffic congestion. At the origin of the project, the businessman had asked to design drilling machines that were “faster than snails”.
The place is still just a huge construction site, but it is possible to see the first modular houses, a swimming pool, a sports area and a gym. According to the American newspaper, a hundred homes are flourishing in the city, located in Bastrop County.
Having turned the world of automobiles or space aeronautics upside down, Elon Musk sees himself as a real estate magnate. He promises to give his employees the chance to live in new houses whose rent would be below market prices.
planned municipal elections
Elon Musk’s plans seem very real. HE Wall Street Journal He specifies that the discussions took place last year between the billionaire, his partner at the time, Kanye West -now called Ye-, as well as the singer’s architect discussed what the businessman’s city should be like.
Also last year, Boring Company president Steve Davis had considered a municipal election for Snailbrook, during exchanges seen by the newspaper. However, Texas State law sets 201 as the minimum number of inhabitants for a place to apply to incorporate as a municipality. It would then be up to Bastrop County to validate that request. But so far no action has been taken.
But this only seems to be a formality for Elon Musk. Since last year, employees of The Boring Company can already apply for one of the future accommodations. It will cost them 800 dollars (755 euros) a month for a house with two or three bedrooms. This is far less than the median rent in Bastrop County, set at $2,200.
It remains to be seen how the billionaire will manage his city once built. HE Wall Street Journal explains that housing would be linked to employment. Thus, a dismissal or a job change would mean a transfer imperative within 30 days.
Source: BFM TV
