Colorado Tower

Austin, Texas

Colorado Tower became downtown Austin’s first Class-A high-rise office building constructed in the decade after Frost Bank Tower’s completion. Envisioned as a gateway to Austin’s historic Warehouse District for businesses, the design of the 30-story office tower, with 13 levels of above-grade parking, includes ground-level retail in proximity to some of Austin’s finest dining, entertainment and residential establishments. To reflect a progressive urban spirit emerging in this western district, the tower’s asymmetrical form maximizes views from its corner location.

The lobby’s wood-clad canopy and generous setback respond to the scale and materiality of surrounding buildings. The setback widens the sidewalk to create a public plaza. Exterior and interior seating encourage meeting and gathering. The lobby’s floor-to-ceiling glass façade curves back to ease circulation around the corner. Within, a glowing art glass wall provides a civic installation to further enhance the experience of pedestrians in a busy district of small shops, cafés and entertainment venues. Natural materials such as slate flooring, terracotta tile and wood merge the interior with the outdoors. Features such as public art, street trees and green plantings align with Austin’s mission for increasing urban density while focusing on human experience.