Transforming an entire downtown block and redefining Austin’s skyline

Indeed Tower - Design and Sustainability Services

When Trammell Crow Company set out to develop a new office tower in downtown Austin, they wanted to create a workplace that met high sustainability standards, served current and future tenants, and contributed more to the city block around it. Our design for the 36-story sculptural glass Indeed Tower responds to this remit at both building and urban scales, combining 21 office floors, 12 levels of above-grade parking, ground-floor retail, and shared amenities that support well-being and connection. Inside, carefully selected materials, biomimicry, and nature-inspired colors create a balanced palette, while a pedestrian-focused lobby designed as an interior street improves circulation and accessibility in a neighborhood known for steep sidewalks.

The scope of work also extended beyond the tower itself. On the site, the historic Claudia Taylor Johnson Hall—built between 1912 and 1914 as a U.S. Post Office—had long been hidden behind a parking garage. We opened the space around the building, restored it to a historically accurate shell condition by removing non-historical interior elements, and integrated it into a publicly accessible park that brings green space, native habitat, and shade back to downtown.

Sustainability strategies reinforce that broader vision. Rare in a downtown setting, the tower manages stormwater on-site through a rain garden and cistern that capture and reuse water for irrigation and the plaza water feature, eliminating the need for potable water for native plantings. Low-flow fixtures further reduce indoor potable water use by 34 percent compared to the LEED baseline. Building systems reduce annual energy costs by 14 percent and peak energy demand by 22 percent, while 100 percent of core energy is offset by renewables. At the time of completion, Indeed Tower was the second-largest LEED Platinum project in the United States, and it also earned 4-Star Austin Energy Green Building and Fitwel 1 Star ratings.

Indeed Tower isn’t just a notable addition to Austin’s skyline. It connects a vibrant urban fabric with an evolved, high-performance workplace to meet the needs of tomorrow’s office tenants.