• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TOWERS

Austin city life since 2007

  • News
    • Condo Projects
    • Neighborhoods
  • Listings
    • Austin Condo Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Realty
Search
You are here: Home / Blog / Here’s How Austin Should Grow in the 2020s, According to Austin
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

Here’s How Austin Should Grow in the 2020s, According to Austin

James Rambin January 22, 2020 Comment

This big hole in the ground will eventually become Google’s striking new office tower at Block 185. Photo by James Rambin.

Earlier this month, at the dawn of a sparkling new decade, we asked our readers for their thoughts on the next 10 years of growth in downtown Austin and beyond — and which positive and negative aspects of that growth they noticed during the 2010s.

Naturally, traffic woes topped the list of growth-related frustrations experienced in the last 10 years — so overwhelmingly in fact that it would be pretty repetitive to quote every response here. Congestion is clearly on everyone’s mind, which isn’t really news to anyone who drives here — but what might surprise you is how many of those same respondents then suggested mass transit as a solution instead of building more roads. (In fact, only two people said we should make I-35 bigger. We’ve obviously banned them from the site for saying that. Just kidding!)

Considering the recent announcement of possible future light rail expansion and even a small downtown subway line(!) via Capital Metro’s Project Connect, those folks might actually get their wish in the 2020s — don’t let the fact that we could have built it 20 years ago get you down! Let’s dig into the best feedback, one question at a time:

What were some of the positive effects of Austin’s growth, particularly downtown, during the 2010s?

“New and exciting places to eat and drink downtown — great stuff for both lunch and dinner. My workout place opened up a new location so I can go during lunch. Some unique buildings (could have more). Redevelopment of Seaholm Power Plant. Fixes to the Hike and Bike Trail. Changes to CapMetro providing better service downtown.”

“It sucks less to bike around.”

“More living options downtown, which brings more density, which means more commercial development — shops, restaurants, grocers!, etc. People everywhere makes downtown relatively safe, which is uncommon for many city neighborhoods.”

“Sidewalks, pocket patios, and public space.”

“The construction of multiple condo towers in the 2010s rather than just bank and office buildings boosted the population downtown and the surrounding areas. Taller buildings (Austonian, 360 Condos, the Independent) draw tourists into the downtown area, increasing the amount of attention on local businesses. A myriad of water activities became much more popular during the 2010s due to the appeal of being close to downtown, but also being able to engage in things like paddle-boarding, kayaking, and tour boats.”

“Growth means jobs, optimism and social energy. When I visit clients in the rust belt, it really makes me glad to live in a place that is thriving and on the upswing rather than the downswing. Cities are seldom really static; if you’re not growing you’re probably headed the wrong the way.”

Nobody mentioned the slightly creepy owl statues over by the Central Library as welcome additions to downtown’s urban fabric, but we love them just the same. Photo by James Rambin.

“A vibrant central core that is active and abuzz both day and night, unlike some of our peers’ downtown areas that deflate at night and become empty depressing places.”

“The extension and beautification of the 2nd Street district from the Convention Center to the new library; Republic Square Park; the Fareground development; the JW Marriott establishing 2nd Street and Congress Avenue as the de facto mecca of downtown; a protected bike lane on 3rd street — would love to see a north/south version.”

“These new buildings are beautiful! The scooters, although a bit glittery and obnoxious, make getting around SO MUCH EASIER. As someone that works in lighting production, there is a lot more work. More money to go around, that’s good.”

“Second Street retail, Seaholm, Republic Square.”

A nice view from downtown’s Republic Square. Image: Austin Parks Foundation

“More options for people to live downtown. I’ve been living downtown since 2011 when the population was barely over 1,000 people in the district. With more residential options than ever before, the central core feels warmer and more welcoming than a downtown dominated by office buildings.”

“Removing some of the ugly parking lots and turning them into building and things that are attracting people and business to the area. I love seeing the explosion in options of food new places downtown. Even if some of the options don’t last too long, it has been nice to have more than bar food (or after bar food lol) and hamburgers to pick from.”

“More people are interested in alternative transportation like bikes, scooters, transit, etc. Younger generations are less interested in car ownership, looking for alternatives.”

“The changing skyline is now one of the prettiest in the country.”

Jonathan Cutrer / Flickr Creative Commons

And what were some of the more negative effects of growth in the last decade?

“More cars. Their drivers want more roads, and it’s an unsustainable ask.”

“Structured parking everywhere, still.”

“With a great downtown comes lots of people working, eating, shopping, and simply checking out the downtown area by car, and 5 o’clock traffic is becoming increasingly harder to escape.”

“Traffic, traffic, traffic. Yes, I miss some of the “old haunts” that are going by the wayside too. But seriously, did anyone actually think Hut’s burgers were all that great?! Traffic is the real killer.”

“Traffic congestion from growth without a real investment in mass transit.”

“Too much blue glass.”

Several people complained on our survey about too much blue glass used on the exteriors of new buildings downtown — buddy, have we got an idea for you! Image courtesy of Kevin Lehnhardt / Photo by John Elk III.

“The lack of action by our local government (and voters) to demand the mass transportation infrastructure needed to sustain such a rapid period of growth. With a huge mass transit package going to vote in 2020, I can’t help but be bitter about the fact that if a huge public transit project would’ve been put into action back in 2010 we’d likely already have that infrastructure in place and would feel much less growing pains today.”

“The city takes a lot of property tax from the downtown condo owners, and in return needs to improve the terrible sidewalks in places like the Rainey Street area.”

“The massive growth without an equal investment in public transportation options is insane. It still boggles the mind that we are almost definitely the largest city in the country with no effective public transportation options to get people from the city to the airport.”

“Most employers still insist on their employees commuting by car. There have been some bright spots (Facebook’s Austin office is now charging for parking), but the standard is still to make driving the easiest form of commuting. AISD and the City of Austin are the #1 and #2 employers, and they have a bad record on car commuting.”

The view of downtown Austin looking southwest over I-35 from the pool deck of the Tyndall condos. Photo by James Rambin.

What are some of your goals/expectations/hopes/dreams for Austin’s continued growth in the 2020s?

“More unique buildings with exciting stuff at the ground level. Better public transit. Less percentage of new buildings devoted to parking garages.”

“I’d like the quality of the construction here to improve. The new Google tower by Pelli Clarke Pelli is a positive sign, as is the SXSW headquarters. But too many of our new buildings are really cheaply built — even if they’re priced at a premium. We’ll probably see the results in a decade or two when they start to look really tired sooner than they should.”

“A functioning and faster public transportation system. Rail, bus, hoverboards, saddleback grackles, whatever gets the people moving.”

“Infill projects and tall, thin towers downtown that take inspiration from what’s being done in places like New York. It seems as though all of the tall towers being built today in Austin are reserved for the few large lots left downtown, but it would be nice to see the sites with smaller footprints be utilized more efficiently. Another would obviously be an expansive public transit project that has a huge ridership and proves all of the naysayers wrong. Lastly, I would love if housing / rent prices would take a bit of a downturn. With thousands of luxury apartments and condos in the works downtown, I can’t imagine rental rates increasing too much more — at some point I think supply for these luxury units will outpace demand, and while they might not become less affordable, I hope that the other housing options throughout the city do.”

A view of the Canopy by Hilton hotel project a few months ago, under construction on West Sixth Street. Photo by James Rambin.

“Less car use. More public space. Better connections to the lake.”

“An increase in mixed-use developments and redevelopments outside of downtown and in more suburban areas. More experimental living styles such as micro-units, tiny houses and co-living spaces.”

“Add more light rail, build a supertall building, put a canopy/cap/whatever-you-want-to-call-it over the power substation north of the library, and finally figure out what to do about the train that sounds like death bearing down upon you when it hits the curve by Trader Joe’s.”

“Solutions to the homelessness crisis.”

“More density in inner neighborhoods, rapid buses on the Riverside Drive corridor. Fleshing out of East Riverside Corridor with more apartments, mixed-use, less fast food restaurants.”

“A revamped Congress Avenue that supports all forms of transportation.”

A “pocket patio” by landscape architecture firm dwg. located near the intersection of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, the place most Austinites consider to be the ‘heart’ of the city. Image: dwg. / Adam Barbe

Finally, what are some specific things you’d like to see more of downtown in the next decade?

“More rooftop bars.”

“Parking spaces converted to pocket patios on major streets, especially in front of downtown businesses like restaurants and coffee shops.”

“More pedestrian-friendly downtown events with closed streets.”

“Parking-less condo towers and enhanced biking routes. While downtown is a grid, the growth of it should require maps on prominent street corners so tourists and visitors know where they’re headed. I also hope that the chain restaurants downtown can be minimized, creating a locally flavored downtown full of diversity and difference.”

“Austin’s first 1,000-foot tower project.”

“More natural materials used for buildings, pink or gold hued glass, a super-tall tower without a billion balconies.”

The 6 X Guadalupe tower project, now in the early stages of construction, will be Austin’s tallest at 66 floors. Image: Gensler Austin

“Connected spaces! For some reason, we always seem to build every lot with practically no consideration for the neighboring lot! Why not connect these buildings in interesting and aesthetically pleasing ways that promote urban core walking and community? It seems that every other big city int he world does this.

“Condominiums instead of apartments.”

“I would like to see car-free zones, similar to 16th Street in Denver. And more rail options leading from downtown to other parts of town.”

“More diverse materials used in tall towers to stand out from all the glass.”

“A lot more music venues.”

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $650,000 48 East Avenue #1405
    Austin, TX
  • $524,000 360 Nueces Street #1208
    Austin, TX
  • $748,000 44 East Avenue W #2711
    Austin, TX
  • $1,395,000 200 Congress Avenue #37A
    Austin, TX
  • $1,375,000 301 West Avenue #1807
    Austin, TX
  • $1,945,000 1211 W River side Drive #3D
    Austin, TX
  • $235,000 1800 Lavaca Street #A-602
    Austin, TX
  • $675,000 360 Nueces #2708
    Austin, TX
  • $1,500,000 70 Rainey Street #1608
    Austin, TX
  • $1,060,503 603 Davis Street #1503
    Austin, TX
  • $2,150,000 44 East Avenue #4106
    Austin, TX
  • $800,000 555 E 5th Street #2809
    Austin, TX
  • $265,000 1212 Guadalupe Street #404
    Austin, TX
  • $1,475,000 210 Lavaca Street #2711
    Austin, TX
  • $625,000 603 Davis Street #714
    Austin, TX
48 East Avenue #1405
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1405, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7163503)
$650,000
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
706 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

360 Nueces Street #1208
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1208, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6044520)
$524,000
Lot Size
101 sqft

Home Size
732 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

44 East Avenue W #2711
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue W #2711, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9820258)
$748,000
Lot Size
44 sqft

Home Size
707 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

200 Congress Avenue #37A
Austin, TX
Photo of 200  Congress Avenue #37A, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9802600)
$1,395,000
Lot Size
88 sqft

Home Size
1,225 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
2 Baths

301 West Avenue #1807
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #1807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8071613)
$1,375,000
Lot Size
192 sqft

Home Size
1,262 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

1211 W River side Drive #3D
Austin, TX
Photo of 1211 W River side Drive #3D, Austin, TX 78704 (MLS # 2196987)
$1,945,000
Lot Size
1.16 ac

Home Size
1,419 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

1800 Lavaca Street #A-602
Austin, TX
Photo of 1800  Lavaca Street #A-602, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4842738)
$235,000
Lot Size
271 sqft

Home Size
608 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

360 Nueces #2708
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces #2708, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5446360)
$675,000
Lot Size
88 sqft

Home Size
732 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

70 Rainey Street #1608
Austin, TX
Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1608, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4966711)
$1,500,000
Lot Size
140 sqft

Home Size
1,434 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

603 Davis Street #1503
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #1503, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8954709)
$1,060,503
Lot Size
305 sqft

Home Size
1,699 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

44 East Avenue #4106
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #4106, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9065455)
$2,150,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,999 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

555 E 5th Street #2809
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #2809, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4564668)
$800,000
Lot Size
144 sqft

Home Size
1,358 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

1212 Guadalupe Street #404
Austin, TX
Photo of 1212  Guadalupe Street #404, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9494321)
$265,000
Lot Size
140 sqft

Home Size
466 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

210 Lavaca Street #2711
Austin, TX
Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2711, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9784437)
$1,475,000
Lot Size
109 sqft

Home Size
1,423 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

603 Davis Street #714
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #714, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7588222)
$625,000
Lot Size
131 sqft

Home Size
1,005 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

  • 48 East Avenue #1405
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #1405, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7163503)
    $650,000
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    706 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 360 Nueces Street #1208
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces Street #1208, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6044520)
    $524,000
    Lot Size
    101 sqft

    Home Size
    732 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 44 East Avenue W #2711
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue W #2711, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 9820258)
    $748,000
    Lot Size
    44 sqft

    Home Size
    707 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 200 Congress Avenue #37A
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 200  Congress Avenue #37A, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9802600)
    $1,395,000
    Lot Size
    88 sqft

    Home Size
    1,225 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 301 West Avenue #1807
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 301  West Avenue #1807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8071613)
    $1,375,000
    Lot Size
    192 sqft

    Home Size
    1,262 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 1211 W River side Drive #3D
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1211 W River side Drive #3D, Austin, TX 78704 (MLS # 2196987)
    $1,945,000
    Lot Size
    1.16 ac

    Home Size
    1,419 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 1800 Lavaca Street #A-602
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1800  Lavaca Street #A-602, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4842738)
    $235,000
    Lot Size
    271 sqft

    Home Size
    608 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 360 Nueces #2708
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces #2708, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5446360)
    $675,000
    Lot Size
    88 sqft

    Home Size
    732 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 70 Rainey Street #1608
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1608, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4966711)
    $1,500,000
    Lot Size
    140 sqft

    Home Size
    1,434 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 603 Davis Street #1503
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 603  Davis Street #1503, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8954709)
    $1,060,503
    Lot Size
    305 sqft

    Home Size
    1,699 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #4106
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #4106, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9065455)
    $2,150,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,999 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 555 E 5th Street #2809
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 555 E 5th Street #2809, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4564668)
    $800,000
    Lot Size
    144 sqft

    Home Size
    1,358 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 1212 Guadalupe Street #404
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 1212  Guadalupe Street #404, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9494321)
    $265,000
    Lot Size
    140 sqft

    Home Size
    466 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 210 Lavaca Street #2711
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2711, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9784437)
    $1,475,000
    Lot Size
    109 sqft

    Home Size
    1,423 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 603 Davis Street #714
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 603  Davis Street #714, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7588222)
    $625,000
    Lot Size
    131 sqft

    Home Size
    1,005 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

Previous Next
 

Related

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 78701, architecture, city life, design, development, urbanism

About James Rambin

James is an Austin native and fifth-generation Texan, but tries not to brag about it. Email him anything at james@towers.net.

Austin Homes with Seller Financing available

Seller Financing in Austin
Previous Post: « Timbercreek Redevelopment Could Bring 550 Apartments to Bouldin
Next Post: Windsor Park’s First Shopping Center Looks Ready to Grow. But How? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

FEATURED Listings

2804 Lafayette Avenue #2
Austin, TX
Photo of 2804  Lafayette Avenue #2, Austin, TX 78722 (MLS # 6466792)
$679,988
30
  • Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

  • Home Size
    953 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

210 Lavaca Street #2711
Austin, TX
Photo of 210  Lavaca Street #2711, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9784437)
$1,475,000
26
  • Lot Size
    109 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,423 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

View Virtual Tour
301 West Avenue #5103
Austin, TX
Photo of 301  West Avenue #5103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5945580)
$1,894,900
33
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,474 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

360 Nueces Street #907
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #907, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3584447)
$648,500
40
  • Lot Size
    131 sqft

  • Home Size
    852 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
501 West Avenue #3701
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #3701, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9503524)
$3,299,000
40
  • Lot Size
    157 sqft

  • Home Size
    2,517 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

  • The Independent
  • Fifth & West
  • 360
  • Austin City Lofts
  • W Residences
  • The Shore
  • 70 Rainey

Footer

LEGAL NOTICE

TREC Information About Brokerage Services (pdf)

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice


TOWERS realty

Austin Condos For Sale

Agents

Downtown Buildings

Luxury Towers

  • Four Seasons Residences
  • W Hotel & Residences
  • The Austonian
  • 5 Fifty Five at Hilton

Most Popular

  • The Shore
  • 360 Condos
  • Seaholm Condos
  • Spring Condos
  • Milago Condos

New Construction

  • The Independent
  • 70 Rainey
  • Austin Proper
  • Fifth & West

Loft Style

  • Austin City Lofts
  • Brazos Place
  • The Sabine
  • Plaza Lofts
  • Brown Building

Resources

  • Austin Condo Guide
  • Condos For Sale
  • Condo Buyer FAQ
  • Property Search

Featured

Archives

Newsletter · About · Contact Us · DMCA · Privacy Policy · SLAPP · Copyright © 2007-2022 TOWERS.net · All Rights Reserved
 

Loading Comments...