On Friday, August 1st, WGI proudly joined co-developers Lincoln Property Company and Kairoi Residential, alongside project partners to celebrate a historic milestone for the City of Austin: the topping out of the Waterline Tower, which now stands as the tallest building in Texas.
Located at 98 Red River Street, the event was marked by the ceremonial placement of the final beam atop the 74-story, 1,025-foot structure by DPR Construction. Hundreds of construction workers and project team members attended the celebration, representing the more than 4,750 individuals who contributed to the project since breaking ground in 2022.
At peak activity, the site supported up to 875 workers per day, underscoring the scale and magnitude of this engineering and construction achievement.
Transforming Austin’s Skyline
More than an iconic structure, Waterline is set to serve as a multidimensional urban destination, purposefully designed to elevate Austin’s livability, connectivity, and appeal. Spanning over 2.6 million square feet of mixed-use development, the project features:
- 352 luxury residences occupying the top 33 floors, offering panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake and the Hill Country.
- Over 700,000 square feet of Class AA office space across 26 floors, anchored by high-performance amenities and flexible workplace environments.
- A 252-room hotel across 13 floors focused on wellness and sustainability, with a rooftop pool, spa, and bar.
- 24,000 square feet of street-level retail and dining curated to ensure the tower becomes both a destination and a hub for urban activity.
- A vertically integrated parking structure offering three below-grade levels and twelve above-grade levels, totaling more than 935,000 square feet of parking.
Strategically situated at the intersection of East Cesar Chavez and Red River Street, the tower serves as the eastern gateway to downtown and the Rainey Street District, with its location reinforcing the city’s long-term vision for a more vibrant, connected, and resilient urban core.
In a statement, Lincoln Property Company Executive Vice President Seth Johnston described the project’s future impact:
“Seamlessly integrated with Waller Creek, Waterloo Greenway and the hike-and-bike trail around Lady Bird Lake, Waterline will quickly become a top downtown destination and activity center. Project improvements will also make it far easier for people to access all of the public amenities in this area from Rainey Street, the new Austin Convention Center, and the rest of the Central Business District.”
Civil Engineering for a Landmark Project
WGI is honored to be part of this record-breaking development – As the civil engineering partner for this iconic development, our team delivered a full suite of comprehensive services that supported Waterline’s scale, integration, and sustainability objectives.
Our contributions include:
- Site Development Design and Permitting
- Entitlement Support
- Preparation of Construction Documents
- Construction Phase Services
- Dry Utility Coordination
- Subsurface Pond Design
- Grading and Drainage
- License Agreements
From below-ground infrastructure to the public spaces that surround the tower, our expertise helped to ensure that the Waterline Tower is not just visually stunning, but functionally and sustainably designed to serve generations to come.
An Anchor Within the Waterloo Greenway and Waller Creek Corridor
Beyond its sheer height and mixed-use functionality, Waterline’s most enduring value may be in its connection to Austin’s broader civic and ecological revitalization efforts. The project sits adjacent to Waller Creek, Waterloo Greenway, and The Confluence, a 1.5-mile green infrastructure initiative that WGI has helped shape through civil engineering design and permitting.
This urban network will eventually include over three miles of continuous trails, 3.7+ acres of open space, and a sequence of restored creek environments and public parks, redefining access to nature, recreation, and cultural programming in downtown Austin.
As Melissa Ayala, Vice President of Government Relations for the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, noted:
“Waterloo Greenway is a world-class project and a major project for Austin, and we know it’s one of the things that the Waterline team took into consideration when they were choosing their location,” she said.
“We’re excited to see the Waterloo Greenway park guests taking advantage of the Waterline retail and amenities, and also Waterline guests taking advantage of Waterloo Greenway’s park system right outside their doors.”
WGI has played a vital role in these adjacent public realm projects, including Waterloo Greenway and the Waller Creek Delta. Our integrated approach exemplifies how private development and public infrastructure can work in tandem to create long-lasting impacts that stand the test of time.
A Vision for the Future of Austin
From its commanding presence in the skyline to its deep integration with the surrounding urban fabric, Waterline is more than just a record-breaking structure; it represents a shared vision for the future of Austin: walkable, sustainable, and experience-rich.
With phased openings planned for 2026, Waterline will welcome hotel guests, followed by the commercial office and residential components. As the project moves closer to completion, we’re proud to have contributed to this landmark development that will not only crown the Texas skyline but also enhance Austin’s cultural and environmental fabric for decades to come.
Contact Our Team today to learn more about this landmark project and how our multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to bring your next project to life from concept through completion!
