The Independent (Austin, Texas)

{{Short description|Skyscraper and tallest building in Austin Texas}}

{{Infobox building

| name = The Independent

| image = The Independent, Austin, TX 2021-08-10.jpg

| caption = The Independent in 2021

| highest_region = Austin

| highest_prev = The Austonian

| highest_start = 2019

| status = Complete

| cancelled =

| topped_out =

| building_type = Residential

| architectural_style =

| classification =

| alternate_names = Jenga Tower

| location = Austin, Texas

| coordinates = {{coord|30.267917|-97.751240|region:US|display=inline,title}}

| address = 301 West Avenue

| start_date = 2016

| stop_date =

| est_completion = 2019

| topped_out_date =

| completion_date = 2019

| ren_cost =

| client =

| owner =

| landlord =

| affiliation =

| height = {{convert|690|ft|abbr=on}}

| architectural =

| tip =

| antenna_spire =

| roof =

| material = Concrete

| size =

| unit_count = 370

| floor_count = 58

| floor_area = {{convert|950,001|sqft|abbr=on}}

| elevator_count =

| grounds_area =

| architect = Rhode Partners

| architecture_firm =

| developer = Aspen Heights; CIM Group; Investcor; Constructive Ventures Inc

| engineer =

| structural_engineer = LAM+DCI Engineers

| services_engineer =

| civil_engineer =

| other_designers =

| quantity_surveyor =

| main_contractor = Balfour Beatty Construction

| references = {{cite web|title=The Independent|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/the-independent/19364|website=Skyscraper Center|publisher=CTBUH|accessdate=2017-08-06}}

| footnotes =

|website = {{URL|https://www.independentaustin.com/}}

}}

The Independent is a completed residential skyscraper in Austin, Texas. At a height of {{convert|690|ft|abbr=on}}, it is the second tallest building in the city, behind the {{convert|875|ft|abbr=on}} tall Sixth and Guadalupe.

Overview

The building was proposed in 2014, construction began in 2016, and was completed in spring 2019.

It contains 58 floors, 370 condos, and it has been nicknamed the "Jenga Tower", and the "Tetris Tower". The 9th floor contains amenities such as a heated pool, club room, playground, and dog park, while the 34th floor contains an owner's lounge, fitness center, yoga deck, and an outdoor lounge.{{cite web|title=The Design|url=http://www.independentaustin.com/the-building/|website=Independent Austin|publisher=Aspen Heights|accessdate=2017-08-06}}

The design of the tower's crown has been criticized, to the extent of a protest group named Fix The Crown being created in March 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/03/29/fix-the-crown-group-wants-changes-to-austins.html|title='Fix the Crown' group wants changes to Austin's tallest tower|last=Salazar|first=Daniel|date=March 29, 2019|work=Austin Business Journal|access-date=2019-04-22}}