Austin is going up! It seems like as soon as one tower tops off, another one that’s even taller breaks ground. Most of these new towers are high-rise condominiums.
The Newest Condo Towers In Austin Looking to live in a shiny new building? Look no further than these:
If you want to see more, visit our Austin condos page for even more current listings.
High-Rises
High-rise living didn’t come to Austin until recently, but when it did it took off quickly! When Novare broke ground on 360, it saw a mixed reaction because of the change it brought to the city’s skyline. Since then, Austin’s vibrant downtown began getting noticed by more and more people from all over the country. That demand drove development very quickly, and before we knew it, more towers were racing toward the sky.
Today, high-rise living in Austin is a common lifestyle and more buildings are planned for the near future. We even have the tallest residential building in Texas, The Austonian, and others like Spring and the W that rival those of bigger cities.
Historic Condos
Although Austin is one of the most historic towns in Texas, there aren’t many historic condos and lofts to match. That’s because buildings in the city’s warehouse district were converted into restaurants and clubs rather than residential units. There are a few, however, like Brazos Lofts, Avenue Lofts, and the Brown Building. Otherwise, condo and loft living in Austin is limited to buildings that have been around less than 30 years.
Modern Condos
In addition to the high-rises, Austin has seen a huge surge in development of two- and three-story modern condo developments. These condos have loft elements like high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and concrete floors, but they also have the conveniences of recent construction. Many modern condos are found in the East side and SoCo neighborhoods. The Pedernales Lofts started the trend and now it’s surrounded by many others like Este Lofts and 41 Waller.
Downtown Austin
Austin is not the biggest city in Texas, but it sure feels like the most metropolitan. While downtown Dallas and Houston are comparatively ghost towns on the weekends, downtown Austin comes to life when the sun goes down. This is the live music capital of the world, and living downtown means walking to your favorite food truck and your favorite club without having to get behind the wheel. Pity the poor folks sitting still on I-35 while you enjoy your Torchy's Tacos.
South Congress
While it’s just across the bridge from downtown, SoCo feels like a different city. Laid back living, good food, and some of Austin’s most unique shops await you when you call SoCo home. Like East Austin, there are great modern condos for sale here, but the area is a little more established so the price points are higher.
East Austin
It was only a matter of time before developers ventured east of I-35. Now that they have, it’s a struggle to keep the original feel of East Austin from getting lost among the condos and restaurants. But we argue that they’ve done a good job balancing it. Some might even wish it was a little more developed since petty crimes and other issues still occur, but we consider those growing pains while the various communities learn to live among each other. Plus, the Near East Side is where you can get some of the best values for your condo buying dollar.
UT Campus Condos
It’s a common rule of thumb that buying rental homes near universities and hospitals is as close to a sure thing as you can find. Fortunately, in Austin you can do both by buying a condo or loft near the UT Campus. If your son or daughter is starting college at UT, why not purchase a condo for them to live in rather than giving even more money to the university for housing? When they graduate, you can continue renting it out or sell it and hopefully recoup your investment. We’ve helped many parents invest in a UT condo and we can help you, too.
Foreclosed Condos
You might still occasionally find a foreclosed Austin condo, but they are few and far between. Our economy hasn’t been hurt nearly as much as other markets, so we didn’t see foreclosures flood the market like other cities did. If you do find one, you should be ready to pay cash as most banks just want them off their books and do not offer financing.
What does buying in a city with limited inventory mean to you? Competition is keen, with sellers only willing to consider contracts from qualified buyers or those paying cash. It’s critical to have a buyer’s agent representing you and guiding you through the process. Also, your agent can alert you to properties that are coming on the market, but not yet posted in MLS.
Remember, we're here to help! If living downtown is not for you, we’ll show you other neighborhoods that are central, walkable, and filled with housing options.
For better or for worse, it seems everyone is moving to Austin. We are still in shock over the recent news that Austin is now the 11th largest city in the nation. More than 100 people are moving to Austin each day, and we just ranked second on the Forbes’s list of the top ten cities for finding employment.
But it’s not just young, recent college graduates who are moving here. Retiring Baby Boomers are flocking to the city for its laid back lifestyle and the appeal of carefree condo living, so no wonder Austin was recently dubbed one of the best places to retire. The result has been high demand and low inventory, especially downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods. Now cranes are once again dotting the skyline with new high-rise apartment buildings and luxury hotels.
Even with all the growth, the downtown area still retains its small town charm, but now with big city amenities. The downtown core is located on the north side of Lady Bird Lake, with most condos within a block of over eight miles of hiking and biking trails. On the south side of the lake, you’ll find the 350-acre Zilker Park that’s home to the annual Austin City Limits Festival. Within a mile of downtown is Barton Springs, a three-acre, spring-fed pool with 68-degree water.
Downtown Austin has evolved into a vibrant, walkable area offering an incredible variety of dining experiences, retail services, movie theaters and music venues like the Paramount Theater. The 80,000 square-foot Whole Foods flagship store that opened downtown in 2005 is now surrounded by galleries, boutiques, and restaurants in the Market District at West 6th and Lamar. Second Street District is home to locally-owned boutiques and restaurants as well as the Violet Crown Cinema and the Moody Theater. This is also where Austin City Limits Live (ACL Live) is produced. Most of the high rises here provide stunning views of both Lady Bird Lake and the capitol dome.
Because the horizon is quickly changing, you’ll want a broker who can keep you informed of new projects that may alter a building’s current view. Contact us today!