Explore Our Editor’s Favourite June News Exclusive / The Tallest Building in Texas Just Became 1 Hotels’ Next Address / Publisher Luxurytravelmag

1 Hotels is now accepting reservations for 1 Hotel Austin, a 252-room luxury property opening in August 2026 within the 74-storey Waterline tower – the tallest building in Texas – at the junction of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake in Downtown Austin.

Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox with interiors by Studio MAI and landscape architecture by TBG Partners, the hotel draws from the vernacular of modern Hill Country ranches and traditional Texas river houses, interpreted through a biophilic lens.

The building’s form follows the curve of Waller Creek below, with planted balconies, outdoor terraces and native plantings tying the tower to its waterway setting. Wood ceilings, natural stone and floor-to-ceiling windows shape the lobby, which opens to views of the surrounding greenway.

The rooms

The hotel’s 252 rooms include 60 luxury suites, finished with natural materials and tactile detail. Many face Lady Bird Lake or the Austin skyline, with large windows designed to bring the landscape in.

1 Hotel Austin | Lake View One Bedroom Suite | Credit: Chase Daniel

The restaurants

Signature dining comes from James Beard Award nominee Chef Johnny Curiel, whose Michelin-starred Denver restaurant Alma Fonda Fina has earned the chef international recognition.

At Alteño Austin, Curiel’s cooking draws on the flavours of Jalisco’s Highlands and the culinary traditions of his father – the original Alteño, or ‘highlander’ – anchored by an open kitchen and a menu rooted in regional Mexican cooking.

On the 16th floor, watr is the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and lounge, pairing a Japanese-leaning menu with panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake, shifting from sunlit brunches to an evening social scene. A third venue, Neighbors, operates as a café by day and wine bar by night, with dual access from the lobby and street.

Wellness

Wellness gets a dedicated floor at the hotel, with a Bamford Wellness Spa – developed in partnership with Carole Bamford – offered alongside a 186-square-metre fitness centre with outdoor terrace and a yoga studio.

The property is pursuing LEED Gold certification and operates the brand’s 1 Less Thing program, which invites guests to leave behind gently used clothing for local donation.

Located steps from the Rainey Street District, with direct access to the Waterloo Greenway and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, 1 Hotel Austin is positioned as both a destination and a base for the city’s outdoor life.

The opening follows recent launches in Melbourne and Tokyo, with further properties under development in Paris, Cabo San Lucas and Hudson Valley.

Reservations are now open at 1hotels.com/austin