Located in the heart of downtown Austin, 200 West 6th Street re-envisions an entire block with a new tower, a renovated historic Post Office and a plaza. The new 36-story, glazed office tower will be situated on the eastern portion of the block. Its sculptural form and transparent base allow the building to make a mark on the city’s skyline while also celebrating its historic neighbor.
The Post Office is a Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was constructed from 1912 to 1914 and was the seventh US post office built in Austin. The exterior of the Post Office will be restored and historic elements of the interior will also remain and be restored. Non-historic interior elements will be renovated with the intention of delivering the space in shell condition for possible uses such as creative office or retail space.
A new plaza will occupy the northwest corner of the site and will connect the commercial environment of the office building with possible cultural, recreational and retail activities in the context of the open space.
The tower is oriented north-south on the site with multiple entry points at the ground level. The primary entry and lobby are on West 6th Street; an additional entry is provided on the building’s west façade via the plaza. The base is highly transparent, soaring up to 35 feet in the main lobby to allow full visibility of the Post Office’s east façade. The transparency encourages pedestrian traffic as well as the building’s integration into the street life.
Its slender sculptural form—two sloped volumes rising together—tapers at the northwest and southeast corners, maximizing daylight and exceptional views.
Fins project from the west façade providing solar-shading elements that improve the thermal and environmental performance of the building while articulating the building form.
The office tower provides five levels of below-grade parking; lobby and retail space at the first level; fitness, amenity, and conference spaces on levels two and three; above-grade parking garage at levels four through 15; and office spaces on levels 16 through 36. Exterior terraces are located on eight of the office levels and the top two levels will enjoy penthouse roof terraces.
Page Senior Principal Larry Speck notes: "This project capitalizes on its key site—on 6th Street a block away from Congress Avenue—by truly integrating itself into the city fabric around it. Its quarter-block plaza, strategic retail locations and unique lobby that becomes an important urban gathering place will all contribute to the lively pedestrian-oriented character that is emerging in the district. At a more macro scale, the tower's bold form will create a new focal point on Austin's growing skyline."
