The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas Tower, Texan High-Rise Real Estate Project, USA Architecture Photos

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, TX

March 12, 2022

The tallest residential building West of the Mississippi

Design: Rhode Partners, Architects

Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Rhode Partners’ The Independent Receives LEED Gold Certification and Wins an Award of Excellence from the CTBUH

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, TX, USA
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Nick Simonite

The Independent in Austin, Texas, USA

Austin, TX (March, 2022) – The Independent, the iconic Austin skyscraper designed by Rhode Partners, has achieved LEED Gold Certification, confirming its international status as a green building.

The Independent Austin tower, TX, USA building
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Nick Simonite

It has also been recognized by the 2022 CTBUH Awards, in which it has won an Award of Excellence in the “Best Tall Building – Residential” category. This is the only project located in Texas to receive the award as well as the only project in the southern United States represented.

The Independent Austin tower building design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Nick Simonite

The 58-story multi-family project is currently the tallest residential building West of the Mississippi. Reflecting Rhode Partners’ innovative approach to design, the tower features a central circulation core combined with four striking cantilevered sections, which are enabled by exposed structural supports. This configuration allows for expansive views of the city, spacious interior configurations, and 20,000sf of amenities.

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, TX, USA building
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Nick Simonite

As demonstrated by its LEED Gold Certification, The Independent prioritizes sustainability and is net energy neutral for a significant portion of the year. For instance, by incorporating technologies like a 75-kilowatt solar power system and a rainwater collection system, it creates renewable energy and water resources onsite.

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Jason O’Rear

The Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Awards program recognizes projects that have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of tall buildings and the urban environment, representing the best innovations in the typology. An awards ceremony will be held at the CTBUH International Conference in Chicago in October 2022. In addition to the project’s award, The Independent will also compete for the title of “Overall Category Winner”. It will then be included in CTBUH’s annual publication Tall Buildings + Urban Habitat.

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Jason O’Rear

Of winning this award, firm founder Brett Rhode says “This building reflects Austin’s amazing creative spirit. It is a locally designed building with a much larger story to tell. We are proud to announce that The Independent is now LEED Gold Certified and hope that it inspires thinking about sustainability and local character for large scale projects. We are honored to receive this award on behalf of our entire team.”

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design
photographs Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Jason O’Rear

The Independent

Located between Austin’s Seaholm District and Shoal Creek, The Independent rises 688 feet and currently holds the title of tallest residential tower not only in the city, but west of the Mississippi. With a total size of 1,002,000 square feet, the tower has 363 apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms that incorporate floor plans that offer unique views and spatial qualities to residents.

A 30-foot cantilever suspends the 34th floor’s amenity deck over the city. The floor-to-ceiling glass window wall is made possible by the design choice to remove most structural elements from the building’s perimeter, allowing for unimpeded 360-degree views protected by Austin’s Capitol View Corridor.

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photos by Jason O’Rear

Residential tiers are pushed and pulled to cantilever four distinct blocks. This dynamic form is achieved by sliding and mirroring floor plates from a central core. The mirroring of the floor plates resulted from the owner’s programmatic requirements to provide a diversity of unit orientations with the same floor plan.

The Independent Austin tower pool night time
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Patrick Wong

At the top of the building, woven stainless-steel mesh wraps around the building’s mechanical systems, including a massive liquid damper tank that limits the sway of the 58-story structure in high altitude winds.

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas interior design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Jason O’Rear

The Independent has received over a dozen awards prestigious awards, including an AIA Austin Design Award of Merit, DNA Paris Design Awards’ 2021 Architecture – Big Scale Building Award, the Council on Tall Buildings & Urban Habitat’s 2021 Interior Design Award of Excellence, and The Chicago Athenaeum’s 2021 International Architecture Award.

Rhode Partners

Rhode Partners is an award-winning, full-service architecture firm specializing in master planning, architecture, and interior design, with extensive experience in delivering high-quality civic, multi-family residential, hotel, office, and retail projects with timeless materials and longevity. The boutique firm thrives on collaboration to transcend traditional production silos.

The Independent Austin tower interior design
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Patrick Wong

Rhode Partners’ team of passionate, thoughtful professionals share expertise in navigating municipal permitting processes and utilize the latest in modeling and construction software to streamline communication across disciplines and in the field. See more at rhodepartners.com.

The Independent Austin tower swimming pool
photograph Courtesy Rhode Partners, photo by Patrick Wong

The Independent Austin Skyscraper, Texas images / information received 120322 from Rhode Partners Architects

Location: Austin, Texas, United States of America

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