1 Hotel Austin, the first Texas property from 1 Hotels, has opened its doors.
Set within the 74-story Waterline – the tallest tower in the state – the 252-room hotel introduces a new experience shaped by Austin’s landscapes, creative community, and celebrated food scene.
Developed by Lincoln and Kairoi Residential, 1 Hotel Austin is part of the mixed-use Waterline development, which has transformed the edge of the Rainey Street District into a gateway between downtown and Austin’s parklands.
The building’s sculpted form creates a new landmark on the Austin skyline. Architecture is by Kohn Pedersen Fox, with HKS Architects serving as architect of record, interiors by Studio MAI in collaboration with the Starwood Hotels design team, and landscape design by TBG Partners.
Every space at 1 Hotel Austin draws inspiration from its surroundings, with natural materials like locally quarried limestone, oak and reclaimed wood salvaged from historic American structures. More than 4,000 plants representing over 30 species, along with a living plant wall, bring the landscapes of Central Texas indoors.
The lobby experience is intentionally residential rather than formal. The bright and airy space features soaring wood ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the landscape, while seating clusters are arranged more like a living room than a traditional hotel lobby.
Upstairs, the corridors have warm wood panelling, tactile wall treatments and soft indirect lighting, creating a quiet transition from the public spaces to the privacy of each room.
Inside the 252 accommodations – including 60 suites – woven textiles, oat-coloured fabrics, handcrafted textures and lush greenery give the rooms a relaxed, residential quality. Bathrooms have a spa-like palette with stone vanities and natural finishes. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Lady Bird Lake, Waller Creek or the downtown skyline.
The in-room amenities further reflect the hotel’s focus on wellness, sustainability and local discovery. There are filtered water taps, reusable glassware crafted from recycled wine bottles, cotton robes and slippers, yoga mats and Bamford bath amenities made with organic ingredients.
With three distinct food and beverage venues, 1 Hotel Austin is designed as a destination that evolves throughout the day. Seasonality, local sourcing, and low-waste practices guide both the food and beverage offerings, with ingredients sourced from Texas farms and producers and creative uses found for ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
Campestre-style restaurant Alteño is organised around an open kitchen, with stone surfaces, handcrafted details and open shelving creating an inviting, lively atmosphere, while a private dining room surrounded by windows offers an intimate space for celebrations and group dinners.
At street level, Neighbors Café and Wine Bar opens directly to both the lobby and the neighbourhood. From breakfast to cocktails and small plates, Neighbors shifts effortlessly from day into evening. Music is also central to the experience, with a vinyl soundtrack setting the mood.
Following its debut at 1 Hotel South Beach, watr arrives in Austin as the second location of the celebrated rooftop concept, perched 16 stories above the city to enjoy sweeping views of the skyline and Lady Bird Lake.
The hotel also features a dedicated wellness floor, where a spacious fitness centre equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment opens onto an outdoor terrace overlooking the Austin skyline and Lady Bird Lake. A dedicated yoga studio hosts classes for hotel guests and the local community, with some sessions on the adjoining terrace.
At Bamford Wellness Spa, six private treatment rooms, a dedicated couples suite with a steam shower, locker rooms and relaxation areas invite a slower pace. Throughout, the design draws inspiration from the bathhouses and cabins in Texas Hill Country.
For meetings, celebrations, and private events, 1 Hotel Austin offers more than 10,000ft2 of event space, including a 4,500ft2 divisible ballroom, 6,000ft2 of pre-function space with both indoor and outdoor terraces overlooking downtown and Lady Bird Lake, and three boardrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Throughout the hotel, art is woven into nearly every corner, with a collection that connects Austin’s natural environment and architectural history with the work of artists and makers from Texas and beyond. Drawing from the city’s relationship to water and the layered history of Rainey Street, the pieces incorporate impressions, fibres, pigments and found materials that carry traces of their origins.
Artist Nate Page transformed the imprint of a historic Rainey Street bungalow into a monumental installation that unfolds across the corridors on all 10 guest room floors. At Neighbors Café and Wine Bar, Christian Kasperkovitz created a site-specific mural using pigments made with clay collected from Waller Creek. Additional commissions include biophilic installations by Alejandro Bataille, woven pieces by Peruvian textile artist Jimena Bedoya, hand-carved wood sculptures by Vince Skelly and works by Los Angeles artist Sarah Lesher.
Responsible design has informed every aspect of 1 Hotel Austin, from the materials used throughout the building to the experiences offered to guests. The property is pursuing LEED Gold certification and incorporates responsibly sourced wood, natural stone, reusable glassware and other durable materials as part of the brand’s long-standing commitment to reducing waste while creating beautiful, enduring spaces.
“Opening in Austin is a milestone for 1 Hotels,” says Barry Sternlicht, Founder of 1 Hotels and Chairman of Starwood Hotels. “Austin is a remarkable city, as it maintains its great traditions while embracing change and acting as a poster child for the brightest future. Few cities have been able to grow with the confidence Austin has while holding onto the qualities that make it special: its creativity, independent spirit, welcoming character, and extraordinary natural beauty. 1 Hotels’ DNA is about celebrating nature and healthy and sustainable living; this location is perfect for us – set in the heart of the city, alongside Waller Creek, overlooking the Waterloo Greenway and steps from the trail around Lady Bird Lake. The connection between nature and urban life is our perfect site.”
Echoing these sentiments, Raul Leal, CEO of Starwood Hotels, comments: “At 1 Hotel Austin, we’re bringing a new energy to the city, one rooted in community, wellness, sustainability, and unforgettable experiences. We envision more than a hotel. We’re creating a welcoming gathering place where travellers and locals come together to connect, enjoy exceptional food and beverage experiences, and celebrate the vibrant spirit and natural beauty that make Austin so special.”
