The Waterline tower in downtown Austin has reached its final height of 1,025 feet, making it Texas's tallest building. The 74-story skyscraper on Red River Street, developed by Lincoln Property Co., spans approximately 2.7 million square feet—equivalent to roughly 47 football fields.
The mixed-use development features residential units, office space, retail shops, and restaurants, each with separate entrances, elevators, and parking facilities. The structure overlooks Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake.
Lincoln Property's senior vice president Andy Smith explained that the building's height emerged organically during design rather than being an initial objective. He noted that combining high-end hotels, residential units, and offices on the available site naturally resulted in the structure's impressive scale.
The development includes a partnership with the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy to construct pedestrian bridges connecting Rainey Street to downtown Austin. By summer 2026, residents will access the Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Rainey Street's historic district, and the UT Dell Medical area from the tower.
Smith emphasized the building's community integration: "It's just the way it's constructed. The quality of how it interacts with Waller Creek, how it connects to downtown, how it connects to Rainey."
Construction took four years. The hotel will open first in early fall 2026, with additional phases following.