Austin appears to be coming for Houston’s skyline after completing Texas’ tallest building; but Space City still has one bragging right left.
Construction is complete on Waterline, a 74-story mixed-use tower in downtown Austin that rises 1,025 feet, according to developer and construction company DPR Construction. That puts it 23 feet above Houston’s JPMorgan Chase Tower, the longtime holder of Texas’ skyscraper crown.
But here’s where things get a little weird: Houston’s tower still has more floors.
JPMorgan Chase Tower stands 1,002 feet tall with 75 stories, meaning Austin’s new tallest building is technically taller while having one fewer floor.
So yes, Austin wins on height. Houston wins on floor count. Take THAT, Austin!
At 1,002 feet, Houston’s JP Morgan Chase Tower WAS the tallest skyscraper in Texas. (Gary Fountain/Dallas Morning News)
Waterline, located at 98 Red River Street near Lady Bird Lake, combines apartments, a hotel, offices, restaurants, retail and parking across 2.7 million square feet. Its top 33 floors contain 352 apartments, while another 13 floors make up the 252-room 1 Hotel Austin.
Construction took 48 months and finished two months ahead of schedule, with about 6,800 workers contributing more than 4.5 million hours to the project.
“Waterline pushed every assumption about scale, complexity and coordination,” DPR Project Executive Brett Bickford said. “This was a massive undertaking, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without our talented and resilient team of skilled craft professionals and trade partners.”
For Houston, the completion of Waterline ends a skyscraper reign that lasted more than four decades.
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This article originally published at Houston’s 40-year reign as home to Texas’ tallest building is officially over.