Specializing in urban, high-rise development, San Antonio–based Lynd Development Partners planned The Bowie in downtown Austin to appeal to affluent renters. Its goal was to mimic a high-end, eco-friendly condo. Hence, finishes reflect the best of the best, with solid-core interior doors; marble as one of three countertop choices; full-size, front-loading washers and dryers; glass backsplashes; glass balcony railings; wine racks; and gas ranges. The common areas include three landscaped decks and a rooftop pool on the 36th floor, the highest in Texas and a feature that none of the building’s competitors offers.
Proof of the building’s success is that all 358 units are occupied, and rents are among the highest in the state on a per-square-foot basis. Because Austin is a health-conscious city, Lynd included vehicle charging stations, outdoor living walls, eco-friendly materials, bicycle storage, and a bike repair shop. Pets receive attention too, with dog runs and a grooming station. And nature lovers will appreciate the care the developer took to obtain permission from the city to relocate a protected pecan tree. Originally at the site’s center, the tree now grows from a perimeter spot where it’s still enjoyed.
The Bowie’s design clearly took the tree into account: Garage floors in one corner concave inward to wrap partly around the tree, and residential levels above cantilever outward. Two years after being replanted, the tree thrives. Here, everyone and everything wins.
