1608 West 5th Street
Located just west of Downtown Austin, 1608 West 5th is a three-story, multi-tenant urban infill project offering over 40,000 square feet of office space and four levels of underground parking.
The design pays homage to Austin’s historic warehouse district through thoughtful massing, material choices, and detailing—a first for speculative developments of this scale in the area. This project sets a new standard for making small-scale developments more appealing to urban neighborhoods and will contribute to increased density in Austin’s core.
Designed to evoke an old remodeled warehouse, this three-story building incorporates brick, glass, and concrete to reflect the district’s historic character. Traditional black brick contrasts with lighter brick, suggesting a modern addition, while mullions and muntins on contemporary glazing echo antique windows—merging past and present in Austin’s evolving urban landscape.
On a compact 150’x150’ urban site, this building incorporates an underground parking garage—a first for a speculative development of this size in Austin. By removing the need for surface parking, the project enhances neighborhood appeal and promotes increased density in the city’s core.
The interiors are industrial, featuring glass, metal, stone, and cast-in-place concrete. Off-the-shelf products are creatively repurposed for unexpected details. The glass-exposed elevator shaft and vertical chain link fencing in the fire stair add openness and appeal to the space.
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