AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s skyline is set to make history as Waterline, a new mixed-use skyscraper, nears its final height this week.

A ceremonial “topping out” on Friday will place the last structural beam atop the 1,025-foot tower — officially making Waterline the tallest building in Texas, overtaking the JPMorgan Chase Building in Houston, which has dominated the state’s skyline since 1981.

“The 1,025-foot tall building will overtake the JPMorgan Chase Building in Houston, which has been the tallest building in Texas since 1981.”

Once completed, Waterline will include 352 luxury apartment units, a premium hotel, modern office space, and a collection of shops and restaurants designed to bring more life to the city’s already thriving urban core.

The tower’s prime location along the eastern edge of Downtown Austin places it within walking distance of Rainey Street, the Convention Center, and the vibrant nightlife and cultural attractions that have made the city one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.

Developed by a joint venture led by Lincoln Property Company and Kairoi Residential, Waterline is designed by prestigious architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, whose portfolio includes some of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers. The project reflects Austin’s continued evolution from a laid-back college town and live music capital into a magnet for global investment, technology companies, and high-end urban living.

Construction on the tower began on June 13, 2022, and despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, labor challenges, and cost pressures, developers have stayed on track. The project’s hotel and residential units are expected to open to tenants and guests in fall 2026, with office and retail components rolling out in phases.

Beyond its stunning height, Waterline promises to deliver significant economic impact to Austin. During construction alone, the project is supporting thousands of union and nonunion construction jobs, generating millions in local wages and supply contracts. Once open, the tower is expected to create hundreds of permanent hospitality, maintenance, retail, and office jobs while drawing high-income residents and travelers to the downtown core.

Planners say the building’s mixed-use design — blending living, working, shopping, and hospitality — aligns with Austin’s broader goal of creating a dense, walkable downtown that reduces sprawl and traffic congestion. City officials also view the project as a sign that Austin’s commercial real estate market remains robust despite economic headwinds and a national slowdown in high-rise development.

Standing at 1,025 feet, Waterline will add a new signature silhouette to the city’s skyline, reshaping Austin’s image from a low-rise government town to a bustling vertical city. The tower will be visible for miles around and is expected to become an icon for future development along Lady Bird Lake and the I-35 corridor.

As urban density continues to rise, developers have emphasized sustainability and public space. Waterline will include green building features, modern stormwater systems, and improvements to the pedestrian experience around the site.

The topping out is not just about a beam — it’s a statement about where Austin is headed.

When doors open in 2026, the Waterline won’t just be the tallest building in Texas — it will stand as a symbol of the city’s ambition to reach higher, attract talent, and compete on a skyline that now stretches toward a billion-dollar future.

Originally reported by Johann Castro in KVUE.