herzog & de meuron’s first project in texas will bring mass-timber to austin

the mixed-use, mass-timber development 'sixth&blanco' will bring ten residences, a hotel, and public retail to austin.

kat barandy September 28, 2023 4 min

sixth&blanco: step inside austin’s newest development

Herzog & De Meuron reveals new images of its Sixth&Blanco development in Austin, its first-ever project in Texas. The five-story, mass timber mixed-use building will span an entire city block, and will enhance the walkable neighborhood of the capital city with new retail, art galleries, and restaurants. It will further introduce ten residences, a hotel, and a collection of luxury amenities for both residents and guests. Situated in Clarksville along West Sixth Street and aptly named after the intersection at its core, Sixth&Blanco is exemplifies Austin’s rapid growth.

These new images come in time for the official launch of sales at Sixth&Blanco, unveiled by Austin-based restaurateur and hotelier Larry McGuire, Co-Founder and Partner of MML Hospitality, and Austin-based developer Riverside Resources. See designboom’s previous coverage here.

herzog de meuron austin images © Herzog & de Meuron

herzog & de meuron arrives in texas

Spanning an entire city block in Austin, Sixth&Blanco will take shape as a mass-timber structure, designed by the Swiss architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with executive architect Page Southerland Page. The team plans for this development to integrate sensitively into Austin’s historic fabric, employing a continuous horizontal wooden structure that pays homage to the city’s unique sense of place and cultural heritage.

Simon Demeuse, Partner at Herzog & de Meuron comments: ‘The building is, in essence, a horizontally stacked structure which steps back and decreases in density as it grows taller to maximize daylight and make room for landscaped gardens, courtyards, and porches on all levels. Equal importance is given to the design of both exterior spaces and interior spaces, resulting in unique inside-outside experiences throughout. The project is not a singular uniform gesture but rather a sum of its many individual parts.’

herzog de meuron austin

natural materials from the american southwest

Sixth&Blanco features only ten private homes situated on the upper two levels of the five-story building. Each residence spans over 4,600 square feet of living space, uniquely designed to capitalize on the project’s prime location, offering views across Austin. The residences consist of nine two-story homes accessible by a circular staircase and one single-floor home, ranging from three to four bedrooms and bathrooms.

MML Hospitality worked closely with Herzog & de Meuron to ensure that each residence offers an unparalleled living experience. These homes are flooded with natural light, exposed wood, and extensive use of organic materials sourced from Texas, Mexico, and the broader Southwest region. The generous use of natural materials infuses the interiors with warmth and earthiness, creating an inviting atmosphere ideally suited to the Austin climate.

herzog de meuron austin
Sixth&Blanco will bring over 50,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space across the first two floors

The residences provide an indoor-outdoor living experience inspired by the Austin lifestyle. Each residence is nestled within the loft-style wooden structure, seamlessly integrating the kitchen, dining area, and living room into one continuous and flowing space. Connectivity with the outdoors is achieved through various elements, including a lush, planted entry court, strategically placed light wells, and multiple spacious private terraces. Each home is even fit with its own private cocktail pool.

herzog de meuron austin
the project will be built with construction techniques designed to reduce its carbon footprint
the development will be built with organic materials sourced from Texas, Mexico, and the Southwest region