Austin’s skyline historically was modest, dominated by the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas Main Building. However, since the 2000s, many new high-rise towers have been constructed.  Austin is currently undergoing a skyscraper boom, which includes recent construction on new office, hotel and residential buildings, many of which feature Cantera steel windows and doors or wrought iron doors. Downtown’s buildings are somewhat spread out, partly due to a set of zoning restrictions that preserve the view of the Texas State Capitol from various locations around Austin, known as the Capitol View Corridors.

At night, parts of Austin are lit by “artificial moonlight” from Moonlight Towers built to illuminate the central part of the city. The 165-foot (50 m) moonlight towers were built in the late 19th century and are now recognized as historic landmarks. Only 15 of the 31 original innovative towers remain standing in Austin, and none remain in any of the other cities where they were installed. The towers are featured in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused.

The central business district of Austin is home to the tallest condo towers in the state, with the Independent (58 stories and 690 feet (210 metres) tall) and The Austonian (topping out at 56 floors and 685 feet (209 metres) tall). The Independent will replace The Austonian as the tallest all-residential building in the U.S. west of Chicago when completed in 2018.

Downtown growth has been aided by the presence of a popular live music and nightlife scene, museums, restaurants, and Lady Bird Lake. The 2nd Street District consists of several new residential projects, restaurants, upscale boutiques and other entertainment venues, as well as Austin’s City Hall.  The South by Southwest is a music, film and interactive festival that occurs over five days each March in downtown Austin, and includes one of the world’s largest music festivals with more than 3,000 acts playing in more than 100 venues. Austin steel doors and windows are prominently featured and many of these residential and commercial buildings.

“Keep Austin Weird” has been a local motto for years, featured on bumper stickers and T-shirts. This motto has not only been used in promoting Austin’s eccentricity and diversity, but is also meant to bolster support of local independent businesses.  According to the 2010 book, Weird City, the phrase was begun by a local Austin Community College librarian, Red Wassenich, and his wife, Karen Pavelka, who were concerned about Austin’s “rapid descent into commercialism and overdevelopment.” The slogan has been interpreted many ways since its inception, but remains an important symbol for many Austinites who wish to voice concerns over rapid growth and irresponsible development. Austin has a long history of vocal citizen resistance to development projects perceived to degrade the environment, or to threaten the natural and cultural landscapes.

South Congress is a shopping district stretching down South Congress Avenue from Downtown. This area is home to coffee shops, eccentric stores, restaurants, food trucks, trailers, and festivals. It prides itself on “Keeping Austin Weird”, especially with development in the surrounding area(s). Many Austinites attribute its enduring popularity to the magnificent and unobstructed view of the Texas State Capitol.  Cantera doors is the proud supplier of custom designed steel windows and doors through the main residential areas of Austin as well as commercial doors through downtown.

The Rainey Street Historic District is a neighborhood in Downtown Austin mostly comprised of bungalow style homes built in the early 20th Century. Since the early 2010s, the former working class residential street has turned into a popular nightlife district. Much of the historic homes have been renovated into bars and restaurants, many of which feature large porches and outdoor yards for patrons, as well as Cantera Doors built front entry door remodeling.  The Rainey Street district is also home to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

Austin has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network under Media Arts the category.  Austin steel doors and windows by Cantera Doors have been featured as a key element in Austin homes for more than 25 years.  Call for a free quote!