Waterline is set to hold the 1 Hotel Austin, residential and office space, and ground floor food and beverage space. | Rendering courtesy KPF
Blink and you’ll miss it — Austin is changing in 2025.
It seems like there’s always a new building, park, or route underway in Austin and there is no shortage of projects on the horizon for 2025. Here are a few we’re paying extra close attention to.
Waterline
This mixed-use Downtown tower — which has been under construction since mid-2022 — isn’t set to open until 2026, but it is scheduled to top out in August this year and complete its presence in the Austin skyline. Once finished, Austinites can expect to see a new hotel, retail, restaurants, and 352 apartments with access to 20,000 sqft of outdoor amenities.
The Confluence
The Confluence has three lattice bridges like this one in the plans.
Rendering courtesy Waterloo Greenway Conservancy & Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Also known as Phase II of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence will form a completely off-street trail from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake along 13 acres of Waller Creek and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. After that, construction on the final phases — Palm Park and The Refuge — will follow.
East Side Beer Runners | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Central Machine Works | Cost of purchase | Lace up your running shoes and grab a drink at the end of your run.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company | Friday, Jan. 10-Saturday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | McCullough Theatre | $40+ | This comedic theater group performs the best Shakespearean play never written — the whole show is improvised.
West Texas Wind with Deer Fellow | 8 p.m. | The Ballroom at Spider House | $12 | The Waco-founded country group will lead this night of live music.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Haunted History Ghost Tour | 8-9:30 p.m. | Driskill Hotel | $28 | Step inside one of Austin’s most historic buildings and learn about the spirits that walk among you.
Sunday, Jan. 12
Plant Swap and Brunch | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Vista Brewing, Driftwood | Cost of purchase | Bring your unwanted but healthy plants to swap with fellow gardeners, and enjoy a boozy brunch before you go.
UT Austin President Jay Hartzell is leaving his horns behind. Beginning in June, Hartzell will become the next president at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Hartzell has been on the UT faculty since 2001 and has been president since 2020.
Festival
Put on your dancing shoes. Halsey, Benson Boone, and Khalid will headline Sips & Sounds Music Festival on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 at Auditorium Shores. Tickets start at $40 for a single-day pass and $80 for both days.
Number
$15 million. That’s how much federal funding the City of Austin received to install 200+ new electric vehicle charging ports. The plan will double the EV fast chargers in town and place them in publicly accessible areas like community centers and public schools.
Eat
Micklethwait Craft Meats opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in east Austin at the beginning of the year. The barbecue spot plans to expand its menu with baked goods and specials, but head over early, as Micklethwait closes when it sells out. (Eater Austin)
Opening
Tex-Mex restaurant Mama Betty’s has a second location in the works to open this summer on Burnet Road. The restaurant, specializing in margaritas and fajitas, was named after the owner’s late mother, who was a restaurateur from Houston. (Community Impact)
Try This
Is your name Carl? If it is, head down to Birds Barbershop for a free haircut and Carl beer from St. Elmo Brewing Co. (for 21+ patrons) through the end of the month. The two companies’ “Free Cuts for Carl” partnership is available at all nine Birds locations.
Sports
The Aggies have a host of new football players coming in through the transfer portal. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas A&M Aggies with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Finance
High interest rates are daunting, so paying off credit card debt is a top New Year’s resolution for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers well into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Read
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Category
Sports
Take us out to the ballgame ⚾
The Round Rock Express also hosts themed nights and the occasional celebrity meet-up. | Photo by @rrexpress
Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in burnt orange — when it comes to sports, Austin has no shortage of teams to support. Our city is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country.
Today, we’re sharing all the details on the Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express (PCL) |Est. 2000
This baseball team became a Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers in 2021. The deal entered the team into a decade-long agreement through 2030. Previously, the team was part of the Houston Astros organization, and currently plays in the Pacific Coast League.
Major accomplishments:
More than 40 MLB players have come from the Express, including Hanser Alberto and Leonys Martin.
The team has advanced to the PCL playoffs three times — in 2011, 2015, and 2023.
The team hosts themed nights and discounted nights regularly, in addition to post-game concerts and fireworks shows.
An under-sink organizer — declutter your cleaning supplies, bathroom products, or pantry items with an easy slide-out design that fits around most plumbing fixtures.
City Editor Morgan and I spent yesterday evening at Activate Games in The Domain, and I had never experienced anything like it. If you visit, be prepared to break a sweat, and keep an eye on our Instagram to see our experience.
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