The Wilson Tower, a 315-meter high-rise in the state capital
of Texas with 80 floors, 450 flats, outdoor terraces, and gardens, was designed
by the Austin-based firm HKS. Construction on the skyscraper, which will be
carried out in association with Britt Design Group and Wilson Capital, is
scheduled to begin in the summer of 2023. once completed, will surpass New York
as the tallest residential tower in the USA.
Austin, also known as "Silicon Hills" in homage to
California's "Silicon Valley," has emerged as the nation's newest hub
for high-tech and startup activity. Texas' capital is called the "City of
Business" for its low cost of living (compared to the San Francisco Bay
Area), business-friendly atmosphere, and unique culture. It is home to the
recently opened Tesla Gigafactory as well as other titans like Google and
Microsoft. Despite this, the city is experiencing a housing shortage at the
same time as it is expanding quickly. Companies like ICON and BIG - Bjarke
Ingels Group with a 100-home 3D-printed community, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) with
its 311-meter high Waterline Tower in Austin's downtown, and HKS with the
newest tallest residential
building in Texas now view the hilly city as the nation's new construction
hub as a result of this circumstance.
In the center of Austin's downtown, close to the University
of Texas at Austin, the famed 6th Street Entertainment District, the Austin
Convention Center, and CapMetro's new Downtown Light Rail Station, will be the
high-rise residential complex. The Wilson Tower, an addition of 0.8 acres and
spanning a half-city block, will replace the Avenue Lofts, an Art Deco-style
structure from 1943, as part of the city's massive renovation.
The tower will be covered in a brise soleil, which offers
strength and protection from the wind and heat of Texas. The building's brise
soleil provides distinctively sheltered and cozy outdoor living spaces on every
level.
The development will have welcoming outdoor terraces and
gardens, unhindered city views, a standout restaurant on the ground floor, and
four full floors of amenities, such as a large pool deck, a full-service
fitness and wellness center, a movie theater, coworking spaces, and a floor specifically
for pets.
The design of a brand-new creative campus in the center of
Hollywood has also been chosen for HKS, working in tandem with landscape
architect Hood Design Studio. The 500,000 square foot CMNTY Culture Campus
project, which combines the creative sectors, will include production areas,
offices, and performance venues.
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