JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin & San Antonio Real Estate Blog

As of November 2016, there are 38 skyscrapers being built in downtown Austin. With the downtown core only measuring three square miles, that's a lot of construction in a small area. It's no wonder the city skyline is embellished by a network of construction cranes angled in the sky, the bands of metal that make up their stems and arms crisscrossing higher and higher.

While the majority of these buildings are intended for commercial purposes, eight of these 38 new construction projects are intended to be high-rise condo and apartment buildings.

Located out of view of the State Capitol Building where building heights are restricted, these structures intend to tower high in the sky. Many of them plan to have upwards of twenty or thirty stories. With windows lit in warm hues come dusk and tri-towered buildings stepping higher into the sky, these residences are intended to be art pieces as much as they are practical living spaces.

Two notable condos in development are The Independent and 70 Rainey Street.

The Independent

With intentionally misaligned floors, the Independent's teetering appearance has given it the nickname, "The Jenga Tower." Having that said, this luxury condominium is a great deal fancier than a stack of blocks. With glossy glass exteriors reaching 58 stories high, this building is an engineering feat.

Inside, the residence features sleek modern floor plans with top-of-the-line appliances and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stellar views of Austin's Seaholm District and beyond.

The 9th floor has a heated outdoor infinity pool and lounge area where residents can absorb some Texas sunshine in the summer. There's also a spacious play station where the youngest residents of this building can rendezvous for a play date close to home.

The 34th floor boasts a fitness center that brags killer views of the city and a broad array of workout machines. There's even a private theater on this floor where patrons can appreciate their favorite films on a full-sized screen. For the business savvy, this floor also has a board room where they can host meetings only a few minutes walk from the comfort of their home.

70 Rainey Street

70 Rainey Street is expected to open in fall 2018. Contractors from Sackman say that they want the building to be like "a park in the sky." With its spacious 19,745 square foot roof transformed into a greenspace, it seems they'll succeed.

The rooftop is planned to have a treed grill lounge and fire pit, a landscaped garden lounge, and a space where residents can grow their own vegetables or flowers. Contractors also plan to develop a dog run for the canine residents in the building and a games area for bocce ball and other lawn games. The rooftop will also feature a pool and lounge area.

In addition to recreating the natural world on its rooftop patio, 70 Rainey Street is located within a block of Lady Bird Lake. This not only affords residents with splendid lakefront views, but easy access to a space where they can run, bike, and row in the heart of Austin.

The suites in the building feature boxy modern architecture, granite counter tops, and spacious interiors. In fact, a limited number of these suites were developed by interior designer, Mark Zeff. Ranging in size from one bedroom, to three bedrooms, to luxury penthouses, many of these suites have already been purchased and their owners are eagerly awaiting move-in day.

So, next time you're in downtown Austin, take a peek at these rapidly developing properties. Their unique appearances make them easy to spot, and their imaginative designs make them worth investigating if you're looking to purchase Austin real estate.

If you're interested in learning more about luxury high-rise condos in downtown Austin, contact JBGoodwin. We've been experts on Austin real estate for over forty years.