Ever wondered which Austin neighborhood has the distinction of being one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in not only the city—but the whole state—of Texas? If you’ve driven or walked around the area just west of the Drag lately, you won’t be surprised by the answer: West Campus. More than 17,000 people, mostly college students, live in the roughly 10 by 10 blocks that make up West Campus. It’s also home to 50+ Greek organizations and many of the UT’s 1,300+ student organizations.
And it’s only going to get denser, as high-rise student housing continues to sprout across West Campus. Most recently, blasts were heard from miles away as the University Towers building on West 24th Street was demolished on January 5. The plan is to replace it with a new 15-story, 281-unit apartment complex, which will be called The Mark at Austin. The building’s parking garage was demolished early last year to make way for The Standard at Austin, a 17-story apartment complex with 287 units. Together, the new buildings will include space for 2,000 residents and 8,000 square feet of retail space.
They aren’t the only new student apartment complexes coming to West Campus, either. This fall, the Moontower is scheduled to open at San Antonio and West 22nd Streets, adding 567 housing units to the area. Last fall saw the opening of Inspire at 22nd (22nd and Nueces), Muze (21st and Nueces) … And the list goes on.
Not surprisingly, reactions to this massive development are mixed. But one thing is certain: With some 82 percent of students living off campus and the cost of housing increasing across the city, there will continue to be a need for affordable, accessible housing for UT’s student population.