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Officials from developers Aspen Heights, Constructive Ventures and CIM Group were on hand Monday to celebrate the official ground breaking of The Independent, a 685-foot (209-metre) residential tower set to become Austin's tallest building.
Its 58 storeys are sure to impress, with a design by Rhode Partners that features multiple stacked volumes clad in glass. The 370 units — averaging 1,300 square feet — will be well-served by 10-foot ceilings and patios or balconies. There will also be plenty of condominium amenities to enjoy, split between two floors and 20,000 square feet of space. The ninth floor indoor/outdoor amenities deck includes an infinity pool, outdoor lounge, children's playroom, coffee bar, and dog park. Up on the 34th cantilevered floor, the building offers a theatre room, fitness centre, private dining space, wine bar, and boardroom.
The $300 million project is one of the most significant in the city's history. The development's planned public plaza will connect the 3rd Street footbridge to West Avenue and provide trail enhancements along Shoal Creek. The developers have donated $3.5 million for public benefits, including $2.5 million towards the City of Austin's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
"Great cities do big things, and building the tallest residential tower west of the Mississippi in downtown Austin is a big deal, but The Independent’s height is not what the biggest thing for Austin is," said Mayor Steve Adler. "The Independent will make the largest single contribution to Austin’s affordable housing fund ever. Even better, Austin is adding housing downtown where residents are more likely to walk or bike to work. By helping us address affordability and mobility, this building is a very big win-win for Austin."
With construction just beginning, The Independent is expected to take more than two years to complete, opening sometime in 2018. Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
