Tishman Speyer & Ryan Companies Break Ground on 321 West in Downtown Austin

A Global Design, Rooted in Austin, the 58-Story Tower Will Feature Exclusive Residences and Future-Forward Offices

The teams from Tishman Speyer and Ryan Companies celebrate groundbreaking for 321 West in Austin. (Credit: Kat Harris Photography)

Tishman Speyer and Ryan Companies US, Inc. celebrated the start of construction last week on 321 West, a 58-story tower set to rise at 321 West 6th Street in Austin’s iconic Southwest Quadrant.

Tishman Speyer and Ryan are co-developers of 321 West, a dynamic mixed-use development that will deliver new luxury rental apartments, future-forward office and curated retail when it opens in late 2024.  The 58-story tower will have a soaring and distinctive silhouette on the Austin skyline, offering extraordinary natural light, air and views.

On the inside, the tower is designed and programmed to appeal to the expanding base of talent and companies that continue to fuel Austin’s growth.  Since 2016, over 500 companies have relocated to or expanded in Austin, which now hosts more than 7,000 high-tech companies, and the city’s population increased by over 20 percent during the prior decade.

Local artist Jessy Wilson-McFarlin works on a live activation during the groundbreaking event. Her piece will be displayed in the building’s lobby when it opens in 2024. (Credit: Kat Harris Photography)

Bounded by Guadalupe and 6th Street, 321 West is situated on one of Austin’s most iconic streets in a district that has emerged as a hotspot for employers, residents and entertainment.  6th Street has helped Austin earn the distinction of being the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and more than 300 restaurants, bars and shops are currently within a four-block radius of 321 West.

“With its elevated high-rise living experience, cutting-edge office design and unparalleled access to retail, nightlife and mass transit, 321 West will act as a magnet for the companies and residents who continue to flock to Austin from the nation’s coastal gateway cities,” said Tishman Speyer Managing Director, Nooshin Felsenthal.  “We are fortunate to have found the perfect project and an ideal partner in Ryan Companies for our first ground-up development in Austin.”

“Impressive, that’s what really comes to mind with 321 West,” said Ryan Companies Vice-President David Knoll.  “We’re excited to be working with Tishman Speyer and believe the team has persevered to create an exceptional high-rise for new residents and companies relocating to our city.  Personally, I’m also very pleased to kick-off construction and look forward to seeing this building claim its place in the Austin skyline.”

Tishman Speyer and Ryan are collaborating with three celebrated world-class design firms – Handel Architects in partnership with Austin-based Page and interiors by INC Architecture & Design – on a visionary mixed-use tower that looks to the future while drawing inspiration from Austin’s rich culture and creative spirit.  The 561,000-square-foot tower will feature 369 apartments spanning the 22th through 54th floors.  Residents and employees will benefit from luxurious indoor and outdoor amenities on multiple levels, with thoughtfully designed spaces for working, exercising, relaxing and socializing.  The project’s 55th floor sky-lounge and terrace will provide incomparable panoramic views of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake.

321 West will incorporate 140,000 square feet of contemporary offices on floors 12 through 18.  The tower will also feature a 1,000-square-foot curated retail experience situated between separate, dedicated office and residential lobbies at street-level, as well as 440 parking stalls on floors 2 through 11.

321 West is located just steps from Republic Square, one of the main transit hubs to be created through Project Connect, Austin’s recently-approved $7 billion reinvention of its public transportation system.  The new station will connect Downtown Austin’s new Orange and Blue lines, providing a North/South light rail connection as well as direct access to Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

321 West is Tishman Speyer’s second major investment in Austin.  In 2021, Tishman Speyer acquired Foundry I and Foundry II, a recently-completed two-tower development in East Austin that is already 96 percent leased.

Ryan established its presence in Austin in 2012 and has become a leader in commercial real estate services in Central Texas. Notable Austin projects that Ryan has completed include the 560,000-square-foot headquarters for Oracle Corporation in East Austin, the 251,000-square-foot Permitting and Development Center for the City of Austin at the redeveloped Highland Mall and a 32-floor mixed-use tower development home to Thompson Hotel and multi-family community, Sienna at the Thompson in Downtown Austin.

About Tishman Speyer (tishmanspeyer.com)

Tishman Speyer is a leading owner, developer, operator and investment manager of first-class real estate in 30 key markets across the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. We develop, build and manage premier office, residential and retail spaces for industry-leading tenants, as well as state-of-the-art life science centers through our Breakthrough Properties venture. With global vision, on-the-ground expertise and a personalized approach, we are unparalleled in our ability to foster innovation, quickly adapt to global and local trends and proactively anticipate our customers’ evolving needs.  By focusing on health and wellness, enlightened placemaking and customer-focused initiatives such as our tenant amenities platform, ZO., and our flexible space and co-working brand, Studio, we tend not just to our physical buildings, but to the people who inhabit them on a daily basis. Since our inception in 1978, Tishman Speyer has acquired, developed, and operated 484 properties, totaling 219 million square feet, with a combined value of over $121 billion (U.S.). Our current portfolio includes such iconic assets as Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Springs in Shanghai, TaunusTurm in Frankfurt and the Mission Rock neighborhood currently being realized in San Francisco.

About Ryan Companies (www.ryancompanies.com)

Founded in 1938, Ryan Companies offers comprehensive commercial real estate services as a national developer, designer, builder, capital markets advisor and real estate manager with a focus on creating places for people to thrive. Ryan work spans a wide range of sectors and product types including healthcare, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily, office, retail, and senior living. Built on the foundation of integrity, honesty and community, Ryan has grown to more than 1,800 team members in 17 offices and has completed projects in nearly every state. For more information, visit ryancompanies.com.