The Top 6 Tallest Buildings Are Signatures of the Austin Skyline
Texas is a big state. It is also a diverse state with many cultures, sets of beliefs, and political affiliations. The capital of Texas is Austin, which is a liberal enclave in a mostly conservative state. Being the capital, Austin has become quite a big city itself. It is starting to rival other big cities in the state like Houston and San Antonio.
Austin’s skyline is also growing, with many skyscrapers popping up every few years. These skyscrapers have made Austin look unique and stand out from other Texan cities. Let’s take a look at the six tallest buildings in Austin. They are signatures of the Austin skyline.
Sixth and Guadalupe
Sixth and Guadalupe is a building that just finished construction. It is the tallest building in Austin, located in the downtown area. It is 66 stories offering mixed-use apartments and commercial units. On the site of the current building, there were several hotels. The Alamo Hotel was built in 1925 and it was a five-story brick building. It was then torn down in 1984 and the Lamar Financial Plaza complex was built. Afterward, the Extended Stay America was built in its place. Finally, in 2019, construction started on Sixth and Guadalupe, and it was finished in 2023. Lastly, it is the 59th-tallest building in the US.
The Independent
The second tallest building in Austin, the Independent began construction in 2016 and was finished in the spring of 2019. The building has 370 condominium units throughout 58 floors. The building also contains a heated pool, fitness center, yoga space, dog park, and a playground for children to play in. It used to be the tallest building in Austin, TX, until it was surpassed by Sixth and Guadalupe. Lastly, it is the 193rd-tallest building in the US.
The Austonian
Although it was the tallest building in Austin from 2010 to 2019, the Austonian is now the third tallest building in the city. Construction started on the Austonian in 2007 and in 2009 it was measured to have become the tallest building in the city. The building was finished in 2010 and was host to the Women’s Symphony League Designer Showhouse in May 2010. In 2015, there were repairs made to the building that cost more than $13 million because it was found that many of the balconies were constructed badly.
Block 185
The beautiful Block 185 is a skyscraper that houses offices in downtown Austin. The building was constructed in 2019 and was finished in 2021, which then was open for tenants to come in. Fascinatingly enough, the site where Block 185 sits was designated back in 1839 as a penitentiary. Eventually, of course, that did not happen and instead became the Green Water Treatment Plant. With its unique architectural shape, it was announced in 2019 that Google would lease the entirety of the building.
Fairmont Austin
Standing a total of 37 stories, the Fairmont Austin is a hotel located in the downtown area of the city. Before the Fairmont Austin was built, the Hilton Austin Hotel was the tallest. Construction started in 2014 and finished in March 2018. Apart from hotel rooms, the Fairmont Austin has five restaurants for everyone to enjoy. The hotel features a skyway connecting it to the Austin Convention Center.
360 Condominiums
A residential building in Downtown Austin, the 360 Condominiums also has retail and office space. The building has 44 floors with a total of 430 condominiums. Construction started in 2006, was topped out in late 2007, and finally completed in May 2008. It was considered the tallest building in Austin for a year and a half from January 2008 to June 2009.
Conclusion
And there you have it, these are the six tallest buildings in Austin, Texas. It is a very unique city and the buildings that are located in the area are signatures of the Austin skyline. The capital of Texas has become the 10th largest city in the United States and it forms part of the Austin metropolitan area, which is becoming bigger and bigger. Austin has 33 buildings that are over 330 feet tall and the city will continue to grow with more skyscrapers being built in the future.
Summary of the Top 8 Tallest Buildings in Austin
Rank | Building | Height | Year |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Sixth and Guadalupe | 875 feet | 2023 |
2 | The Independent | 694 feet | 2019 |
3 | The Austonian | 683 feet | 2010 |
4 | Block 185 | 594 feet | 2022 |
5 | Fairmont Austin | 591 feet | 2018 |
6 | 360 Condominiums | 581 feet | 2008 |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock.com