KPF designs supertall 'waterline' in austin to become tallest skyscraper in texas

Austin’s first supertall

Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) unveils the design of its Waterline tower, which has just broken ground in downtown Austin. Upon its completion in late 2026, the project will become the tallest tower in the state of Texas and the growing city’s first supertall skyscraper. Rising 74 stories and 1,022 feet, it will include 352 luxury apartments, 700,000 square feet of office space, and a 251-room 1 Hotel Austin — the hospitality brand’s first location in the state. What’s more, the group is targeting LEED Gold certification throughout the building.

The project is being developed by partners Lincoln Property Company (LPC) and Kairoi Residential. It marks the third high-rise in downtown Austin that LPC has co-developed and broken ground on over the last three years, showing the group’s impact on the rapidly expanding capital city.

view of Waterline overlooking the river | image by WAX

kpf unveils waterline: the tallest tower in texas

The design team at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) adds the Waterline tower in Austin, Texas to its larger body of work which includes New York’s 55 Hudson Yards and One Vanderbilt towers. With sweeping views across the city, the architecture will take shape with floor-to-ceiling windows, native stone, and warm textures. Along the vibrant ground level, the architects plan 24,000 square feet of public retail and restaurant space overlooking Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway. These spaces are separated from the waterline by a floodplain forest which will preserve the natural experience and walking trails.

sculptural columns will lift the tower’s base thirty feet above the street to create a two-story canopy | image by WAX

inside the luxury skyscraper

1 Hotel Austin will occupy 13 floors just above the ground floor | image by Atchain
the mixed-use building will include a 1 Hotel, office, and residential uses | image by Atchain

a grand staircase extending west from the paseo will connect to a public area | image by Atchain

two new pedestrian bridges over Waller Creek connect to two floors of restaurant and retail space | image by WAX

project info:

project title: Waterline

architecture: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox

location: 98 Red River Street, Austin, Texas

hospitality: 1 Hotel

visualizations: Atchain, WAX