The area used to be an industrial section of downtown Austin but underwent a dramatic transformation. The Independent is located in the coveted Seaholm District.

Rhodes suggests naysayers take a good look at the structure and stop by for a tour. We wanted to actually kind of express that.” We didn’t want to try and hide all of that. We also have a tuned damper, which is a way that we also prevent the building from swaying in high winds,” Rhode said. “There’s a lot of structure up there that stabilized the building. However, according to the building’s designer, Brett Rhode, the building’s crown has a purpose, is functional, and was designed that way quite intentionally. In fact, an online petition has been circulating calling on developers to correct what has been perceived as “a mistake.” Petitioners thing the skyscraper looks unfinished, referring to it as a “stunning disappointment.” Specifically, the building’s crown has caused some Austin residents to scratch their heads. The Independent’s architecture has caused a bit of controversy. Space on the ground floor has been sold for retail use, and it could accommodate a restaurant, but those tenants have yet to be announced. In addition, the building features 20,000 square feet of amenities. The condos range in price from $400,000 to $5 million. We wanted to express a lot of creativity, and we wanted to bring just a lot of ideas into one cohesive building, and we wanted to create that for our residents as well,” Fetgetter said.įetgetter says The Independent is comprised of 363 condo units that feature a great deal of diversity. The Independent’s developer, Ryan Fetgetter, says that when they began working with the architect six years ago, they set out to create something bold and energetic. The unusual building has caused a lot of buzz over the last five years. The Independent, also known as the Jenga building, is now complete and residents have moved in. AUSTIN, Texas - Austinites watched the tallest building in the city being constructed with a great deal of anticipation and curiousity.

Austin texas jenga tower