AUSTIN (KXAN) — The old saying that everything is bigger in Texas also applies to the state’s skyline as well.
Austin’s recently completed Waterline tower has claimed the title of the tallest building in Texas, ending Houston’s 44-year reign atop the state’s skyscraper rankings. The 74-story tower rises 1,025 feet above downtown Austin, surpassing Houston’s JPMorgan Chase Tower by 23 feet. It is also the 24th-tallest building in the United States.
The milestone marks a new chapter in Texas architecture, which began with the completion of Dallas’ 14-story Praetorian Building in 1909, considered the state’s first skyscraper. More than a century later, Texas is home to some of the tallest buildings in the nation, with Houston, Dallas and Austin all boasting skyscrapers exceeding 875 feet.
Waterline: Texas’ tallest building
Waterline officially became the tallest building in Texas following its completion in April. Located in downtown Austin, the mixed-use tower stands 1,025 feet tall and contains 74 floors. The project includes hotel, retail and office space, with residential options coming in September.
Beyond setting a state record, Waterline elevated Austin into an elite group of American cities with skyscrapers topping 1,000 feet. That shortlist also includes Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Before Waterline’s completion, Houston’s JPMorgan Chase Tower held the Texas height record from 1982 until 2026.
The 5 tallest buildings in Texas
Texas skylines
Texas’ skyscraper history has shifted between Dallas and Houston for much of the last century…