Our Austin

30-Story Apartment Tower to Rise in West Campus

The 300-unit project is slated to begin construction in February 2027 at 2305 Rio Grande Street.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Commercial

Isometric editorial illustration of a tall residential high-rise tower rising above smaller houses, representing increased urban density in Austin.
A 30-story residential tower will replace existing office buildings on Rio Grande Street by 2028, adding 300 units to Austin's West Campus. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Students and renters in the West Campus area will see a new 30-story apartment tower rise at 2305 to 2309 Rio Grande Street starting in February 2027. The $97 million project will replace two existing office buildings with 300 new housing units by July 2028.

Why it matters

The development arrives as Austin works to formalize citywide density plans to accommodate a growing population, including the University of Texas's enrollment of over 55,000 students. Because the university does not require freshmen to live on campus, demand for private housing in the surrounding neighborhoods remains a constant pressure on local rent.

The proposed 30-story tower will add 300 apartment units, a significant increase over the initial 219-unit plan. Construction costs for the project are estimated at $97 million, though the exact floor plan remains unknown.

The players

University of Texas

The major public university in Austin that enrolls over 55,000 students.

University Realty

The real estate firm linked to the entity that acquired the land for the new housing tower.

The details

The project involves the demolition of two office buildings currently located at 2305 to 2309 Rio Grande Street. Land at the site was transferred earlier this year to an entity associated with University Realty to clear the way for the high-density construction. As the city refines its regulations for property management and density, this tower joins other West Campus projects aiming to house a segment of the massive UT student population.

Timeline

  1. February 2027: Construction work is scheduled to begin at the site.

  2. July 2028: Project completion is expected.

The Texas Context

This project aligns with the city's current effort to rewrite property management regulations and permit higher-density residential developments. It marks a significant shift toward vertical housing in West Campus to accommodate the university-driven demand that has characterized recent growth.

Residents living near Rio Grande Street should prepare for construction activity beginning in early 2027. The project will change the streetscape of West Campus by replacing existing low-rise offices with a 30-story building over the next three years.

The takeaway

This project signals a major transition toward high-density housing in the heart of West Campus. Keep an eye on local development filings in 2026 to see if additional projects follow this high-rise trend in the neighborhoods surrounding the university.

Further reading

For more on the changing landscape of local business and development, visit our Commercial section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Real Deal New York.

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Should your community prioritize building high-density apartment complexes to accommodate rising student populations?