The Austin City Council has approved the 500 South Congress planned unit development (PUD), paving the way for a two million square foot (185,806 square meter) mixed-use project. Developed by Related Cos., the 6.5-acre site will deliver 950 residences (800 apartments and 150 condominiums), a 225-room hotel, 600,000 square feet (55,742 square meters) of office space, and 135,000 square feet (12,542 square meters) of retail—including a grocery store and space reserved for a future tenant at an affordable rate. The tallest building could rise to 650 feet (198 meters), with others reaching 500 feet (152 meters).
Related Texas President Mike Iannacone described the project as the potential “heart” of the South Central Waterfront, citing its mix of housing, public trail along Bouldin Creek, and pedestrian and cyclist improvements. Relocation fees will be provided to displaced residents, with additional contributions to Austin’s affordable housing fund.
Nearby, Endeavor Real Estate Group has plans for a 510-foot (155 meter) residential tower on the Cidercade site along Lady Bird Lake. The nearly 50-story development would replace an arcade bar with 200 condominiums and 8,000 square feet (743 square meters) of retail space. Proposed public benefits include a restored 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) floodplain forest, new water quality infrastructure, reduced impervious cover, and pedestrian-oriented ground-floor activation along Riverside Drive. While no on-site affordable housing is planned, Endeavor would contribute to the city’s housing fund.
Both projects reflect the growing momentum of high-rise development in the South Central Waterfront, a district rapidly transforming into a hub of dense, mixed-use urban growth.
Learn more at Community Impact.