Bart Matheney is one of AQUILA’s founding principals and has been a major player in the Austin commercial real estate industry for decades. He specializes in office leasing and commercial real estate investment sales, but has a hand in tenant representation as well, having represented a number of premier Austin tenants.

Bart embodies the culture of AQUILA and he is the heart and soul of the AQUILA Dirtybirds, our company’s off-the-clock alter ego. You’ll often catch him on the patio of the Mean Eyed Cat across the street from the AQUILA offices after a workday or walking a lap or two around the Hike and Bike Trail.

This month I asked him questions about work, life, and what makes Austin and AQUILA special. Read his answers below to get to know him a little better!

Let’s Start With the Basics:

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, but moved to Houston when I was 10. I lived there until I went to college.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: University of Texas

Q: How long have you been in Austin?

A: Since the armadillo! I came here to go to school and I never left.

Q: What is your favorite part about working for AQUILA?

A: I love the energy in this place. I thrive on it. We have great people and great energy.

Q: What would you say is your key differentiator? Why would I want to work with you?

A: Because I care. And people know it!

Q: How do you add value for your clients?

A: By sharing my depth of experience in this market and marshaling the resources from AQUILA for their benefit. Like Zeus’s eagle, Aquila, we pride ourselves on having sharp vision; our market research department and our people are smart and driven, and they can see trends; and our marketing team helps us communicate those to our clients. I think collaboration is probably the keyword: when you’re talking to me, you’re talking to our property management group, you’re talking to our construction guys, you’ve got our tenant rep teams ears – you’ve got us all.

We are a fun-loving bunch, but I think we’re very serious about what we do and that is solve problems. We’ve created what we think is a perfect environment for learning, creativity, and creating a service that is extremely valuable for our clients. And it’s still the idea that we want to keep this a small, close-knit family operation which I think we still have today. It’s something that’s important to us and it’s important to us because we feel like it’s important to our clients. And that’s why we’re here.

 

Now For a Little Fun:

Q: If you won $50 million in the lottery, what would you do with it?

A: Give it away.

Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?

A: Rock Lobster by the B-52s

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world and money didn’t matter, where would you live?

A: I think I’d live right here. I’d probably have some places elsewhere, but I truly love this city.

Q: What’s something most people may not know about you?

A: I’m pretty much an open book. I can’t really think of something that people may not know. I love to travel, but most people that know me already know that.

Bart Matheney MaryHollis Matheney

Bart and his daughter, Mary Hollis, in Majorca, Spain.

Q: Where is your favorite place to ski?

A: Telluride, Colorado

Bart Matheney Telluride

Bart and his kids in Telluride.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Austin?

A: Ranch 616 has a great vibe – I actually like it more for the atmosphere than the food. My favorite changes all the time, but right now I’m really liking Polvos. And Eddie V’s is always good.

Q: What’s your favorite coffee spot?

A: Juan Pelota, Lola Savannah, or Caffe Medici. I like the local shops.

Bart Matheney at Juan Pelota Downtown Austin

Bart enjoying coffee at Juan Pelota on Nueces Street in downtown Austin.

Q: What’s your favorite show to binge-watch?

A: I don’t binge-watch TV, but if it’s anything it’s old movies – especially Westerns and The Godfather.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: Climbing the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.

Bart Matheney Mt. Sneffels Colorado

Bart at the top of Mt. Sneffels in Colorado

Fast Facts:

  • Early bird or night owl? Early bird
  • Beach or mountain? Mountain
  • Skiing or snowboarding? Skiing
  • Grilled or fried? Grilled
  • Torchy’s or Tacodeli? Torchy’s
  • Flip flops or cowboy boots? Depends…cowboy boots
  • South Congress or Domain? South Congress
  • Franklin Barbecue or Lambert’s? Lambert’s
  • Queso or Guac? Guac
  • Maudie’s or Matt’s El Rancho? Matt’s
  • Dogs or cats? Dogs
  • Passenger or driver? Driver
  • Call or text? Call
  • Dine in or take out? Depends
  • Would you walk, run or bike the Hike and Bike Trail? Walk
  • ACL or SXSW? ACL
  • Willie Nelson or Bob Schneider? Ooh, Bob
  • P.Terry’s or Whataburger? P.Terry’s
  • 6th Street or Rainey? Rainey
  • Amy’s Ice Cream or Sno Beach? Amy’s

For more on Bart, check out his bio page on our website. 

 

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