Waterline – In Process

Austin, Texas

Scheduled for completion in 2026, Austin will become home to the tallest tower in Texas when Waterline opens its doors. The breathtaking 74-story building will stand at 1,022 feet tall, exceeding the reach of the current record holder in Houston by 20 feet. Developers Lincoln Property Company and Kaiori Residential have coined this project Waterline as a reflection of its location at the banks of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake. The space is made of up three distinctive strata- hotel, office, and residential- featuring 251 rooms, 700,000 SF of office space paired with 24,000 SF of retail space, and 352 apartments respectively.

Waterline will offer amenity-rich offices and exquisite residential and sustainable luxury experiences all building upon its prime location. Easily accessible by foot, bicycle, and car, Waterline will be at the start of Austin’s first light rail line, connecting it to the wider city. In addition, the project has year-round access to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, downtown, and the city’s Capital Metro public transit system. This building will also feature a drop-off portico connecting to the nearby Rainey Street District.

According to an official statement, “Lifted 30 feet above the street, the tower’s base is supported by sculptural columns that resemble sacred species of trees in Austin. Under this two-story canopy, the project integrates native stones, lush landscaping, and the natural character of Waller Creek across the site to Red River Street.”

Project partners Kohn Pedersen Fox, HKS, and DPR Construction plan to seamlessly blend these various functions into a singular towering structure which also incorporates a comprehensive parking system spanning 936,000 SF across three below-grade levels and twelve above-grade levels which are wrapped with the hotel space. Elements of the creek and natural surroundings are brought up into the tower as the project lends itself to its stacked design and the organic forms found throughout the area.

KSC will be designing, fabricating, and installing over 126,000 SF of post painted aluminum plate and aluminum composite to comprise both the KSC 3000 ventilated rain-screen system and the KSC 4000 aluminum plate system throughout the building’s design.