Austin's skyline has already transformed over the past decade through multiple noteworthy additions. More change is on tap as several more towers are lined up to take over as the tallest building in the city, starting with the mixed-use Sixth and Guadalupe project that topped out last fall.
That building claims the title from The Independent in the Seaholm District, completed in 2019, and both are set to be eclipsed by Waterline on the east side of downtown, which broke ground last year. And those could be beaten out by the proposed Wilson Tower just north of Brush Square.
While new projects are spread across the downtown area, the Rainey Street, Waller Creek and Innovation districts are among the hubs of new development.
A partial list of projects under construction or in various stages of planning highlighted by the city can be viewed below. A full listing compiled by the Downtown Austin Alliance may be viewed here.
The new additions point to downtown's growth as a destination for new residents and economic drivers. New jobs, an increased tax base and a more vibrant central business district all stand to benefit Austin in some respects, but city leaders are also eyeing the strain all the new construction brings.
A Jan. 4 memo from city department heads emphasized that side of the building boom as Austin looks to extend its longstanding freeze on new events downtown, due largely to sustained development work.
"The moratorium was initiated on November 25, 2014, given the challenges to maintain mobility with recurring events and considerable construction in downtown. These challenges remain today. In addition, this area continues to experience tremendous growth in both residential and workforce populations," wrote, Denise Lucas, director of the city development department, and Richard Mendoza, interim director of the transportation department.
On top of the vertical additions, Lucas and Mendoza also noted the ground-level infrastructure initiatives that could contribute to further congestion around town.
As the city wraps up its work on localized projects along Barton Springs Road and at Zilker Park south of Lady Bird Lake, planners are also looking ahead to the groundbreaking of the Project Connect rail system and the state-led expansion of I-35 in 2024 that will likely snarl traffic and any events in the area for years.
The city said it will work with the Project Connect and I-35 teams to coordinate recurring street events in the downtown area. Mendoza and Lucas also said downtown activity, such as protests and some lower-impact events, could still be allowed.
"In these unprecedented times, we realize the need to be flexible and responsive not only to the health of our citizens and visitors but to the economic health of the community. Exemptions for smaller events as allowed by applicable safety guidelines may be granted based on review by the [Austin Transportation Department] director and [Austin Center for Events] program manager," they said.
The pair recommended extending the moratorium through this December. The action follows similar extensions proposed in 2016, 2018 and 2021.
