Villas on Rio is a 284-unit high-rise in the heart of the University of Texas at Austin’s West Campus neighborhood. The building spans 19 floors, with the first and second floors serving as flexible study and lounge areas, and a mezzanine overlooking the lobby. Floor plans range from spacious studios to expansive townhomes with single and double-occupancy options, including efficiency “pods” that support density and affordability while maximizing square footage.
The tower wraps around the historic Kenney House, a two-story Victorian home facing West 22nd Street. Full-height glass windows on the lower levels of the project feature views of the historic building, visually connecting the modern building to the historic.
A dramatic, angled curtain wall is incorporated into the tower’s north side, responding to the 62-degree required setback plane. On the façade, the custom-formed, faceted panels reference this setback plane, sparking an angular language continued throughout the tower’s interior architecture.
The project received an AGC Austin Award for Outstanding Construction as well as a EIFS Hero of the Year Award from EIMA.
