Austonian is tallest building in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN ) - The new Austonian crept just past the Frost Bank tower Wednesday, stripping the bank of its title as the tallest building in Austin and claiming it for itself.

To look at the top of the Austonian on Second Street and Congress Avenue, you have to crank your head all the way back. At 51 floors, it has surpassed the height of the the Frost Bank building and the Austin 360 condos.

"That makes us the tallest building in Austin,"  said Terry Mithcell, marketing director for the Austonian. "When we finish, we'll be the tallest residential building west of the Mississippi."

Making the Austonian ascent

Right now, much of the interior and amenities are just roughed out. From the top, the first thing visitors will notice are the views. However, these views come with a hefty price tag.

"The price ranges start in the upper 500's for a 1,200-square-foot unit, and the largest unit is just under 8,400 square feet for $8 million," said Mitchell.

If someone has $8 million, the penthouse is still available. While officials with the Austonian would not disclose how many units have been sold so far, they said there is a lot of interest.

"They are either trading down or selling, and they live in Austin, or are buying a second home for family or the university," said Mitchell.

Crews are building one floor per week, and when they are done, the Austonian will be 59 stories.

"We've used over 50,000 cubic yards of concrete, which is about 5,882 truck loads of concrete where we are today," said Mitchell.

And while it doesn't look close to finished now, residents will be living in the space this time next year.

"We will start moving residents in in June of next year, and it's on schedule," said Mitchell.