By Mike Copeland

Tribune-Herald business editor

Partners W. Leslie Long and Austin Brock have bought another building on Austin Avenue with plans to convert it to loft and retail space.

Their latest acquisition is 721-723 Austin Ave., a two-story building they acquired from Jeff and Honey Rader.

“We hope to put four two-bedroom, two-bath condominiums on the second floor,” said Long, adding: “In the absolute best-case scenario, they will be ready in six to eight months.”

On the first floor, “I’d love to see a retail clothing store, something attractive to young professionals or college students, but we’re open to anything,” Long said.

Long and Brock also bought the building at 719 Austin Ave. They placed Gateway Realty on the top floor and Austin’s on the Avenue, a bar and restaurant, on the bottom floor.

Long, a Baylor University graduate, said he and Brock are excited about development taking shape in downtown, including the $75 million Waco Town Square mixed-use project taking shape.

“We have buddies in Austin and Dallas we’ve talked to about investing money down here,” said Long.

Elsewhere on Austin Avenue, owner Tony Martin confirmed this week he is closing The Hub Men’s Wear, 506 Austin Ave., a clothing shop that has done business downtown for decades.

He said he will be selling the building, and Long said he might be interested in taking a look at it.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736