Since its founding in 1838, Austin has been a hotbed for innovation and creativity – a legacy that continues to this day. With a long history of building things bigger and better than ever before, it’s no surprise that new high rises frequently pop up throughout the city, redefining Austin’s skyline.
According to the Downtown Austin Alliance, 12 development projects were completed in 2017. More are on the way – 14 projects are currently under construction and 30 others are in the planning stage. These are a few of the latest developments.
THE INDEPENDENT
Once completed, the 685-foot building will be the tallest in Austin – and the tallest residential tower west of the Mississippi. The 58-story building houses 363 residences, which range in price from $400,000 to almost $4 million. In May, the building held its topping out celebration to mark the point in construction when the highest point of the building is in place. The building is set to open later this year.
405 COLORADO
This high rise is still in the planning stages in downtown Austin. Once completed, the 405 Colorado will feature a blend of office and retail spaces. The building is being designed by Duda|Paine Architects who also designed the Frost Bank Tower. As it’s planned now, 405 Colorado will include 210,000 square feet of office space, 530 parking spaces and more than 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.
70 RAINEY
Since the groundbreaking in 2016, building progress of 70 Rainey has seemed sluggish. The condominium tower is now rising quickly in the Rainey Street District. As of March, the building was at 23 floors and counting, which is more than halfway to its total 34 stories. The building will be home to 164 residences and nine stories of parking. The tenth-floor amenity deck will feature two swimming pools and expansive landscaping.
BLOCK 71
Although the new office building isn’t scheduled for completion until 2021, half of Block 71 has already been leased. Trammel Crow Company officially began construction on the 36-story building in May. Development of the block is expected to close the gap between the entertainment districts located at east and west 6th Street.
THE AVENUE
Completion is expected later this year for the mixed-use development on the corner of Congress Avenue and 8th Street. The Avenue will be Austin’s first car-free development designed for people to enjoy the walkability of the city. The project will house 135 residential units as well as five floors of office space, a ground floor restaurant and a basement cocktail lounge.
FAIRMONT AUSTIN
Austin’s largest hotel opened in March – just in time for South by Southwest. With 1,048 rooms and nearly 140,000 square feet of meeting space, it’s a significant milestone for Austin’s hospitality industry. The hotel also offers five restaurants and bars, including steakhouses and a cocktail bar located on the seventh floor, as well as a full-service spa.
48 EAST
This 33-story residential building on the edge of downtown Austin in the Rainey Street District is scheduled for completion in August 2019. 48 East will consist of 246 apartment units, each with balcony access, as well as structured parking. The building was designed by Austin firm STG Design and draws inspiration from the city’s casual culture and distinct landscapes.
WALLER PARK PLACE
There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Waller Park Place, even though construction has yet to begin. If the project moves forward, it will be the largest private development ever in downtown Austin. Three towers are planned for the three-acre site, including a 30-story office tower, 47-story apartment building and an estimated 55-story hotel and condominium.
CONSTANT CHANGE
These are just a handful of the high rises planned in the coming years. As Austin continues to experience rapid growth, it will be interesting to see how much the city’s skyline changes.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR NEXT PROJECT?
For 39 years, Southwest Engineers has assisted over 700 clients across the state of Texas. We are a full-service civil engineering and consulting firm dedicated to excellence in land development, water/wastewater infrastructure, street and drainage design and all associated permitting.
Discuss your project with us by visiting our website or calling 830-672-7546 for our headquarters in Gonzales, TX or 512-312-4336 for our office in Buda, TX.
