The Modern Brings a Vertical Neighborhood to Downtown Austin

By Danielle Jacobo – Austin Home Magazine
July 9, 2025

Austin is defining the modern city. At once a cultural cornerstone, governmental power center, tech hub, and education destination, Austin’s popularity lies in its ability to attract residents from all walks of life while retaining its idiosyncratic reputation as a place that rejects traditionally sanctioned norms. Nowhere is this more evident than The Modern, a sleek glass residential tower showcasing the city’s many touchpoints in the heart of downtown Austin.

More than just another addition to the city’s growing skyline, this residential high-rise ensconced in downtown’s rapidly evolving Rainey Street neighborhood embodies a philosophy of urban living that unifies the dualisms of Austin’s identity. At The Modern, art and functionality, community and privacy, city convenience and access to nature all coalesce within the tower’s stunning views, thoughtful floor plans, and unmatched amenities. It’s design philosophy emphasizes individual experimentation and a community-minded sensibility making The Modern a mirror of Austin itself.

This attention to mindful lifestyle was integral to the building’s conception, says Kevin Burns, founder and CEO of Urbanspace, The Modern’s developer, designer and brokerage firm. “The Modern was envisioned as a tower to house many different walks of life,” Burns explains. “The tower was designed to be a vertical neighborhood. Anyone that wants an elevated, high-caliber lifestyle nestled in the urban core and adjacent to nature should apply.”

A Vertical Neighborhood

The Modern was conceived as a diverse community rather than a monolithic luxury development. With residences ranging from 600 square feet to over 10,000 square feet, and from one to five bedrooms, the tower accommodates various lifestyles and family configurations. Thoughtful design is meant to maximize efficiency by leveraging the simplicity of a minimalistic aesthetic without sacrificing livability.

“What really makes The Modern unique,” says Merrill Alley, Urbanspace’s lead designer on The Modern, “is that the inception of this community started from the inside-out with the meticulous planning and consideration of the residences which directly informed the massing and overall appearance of the building.”

Alley notes that unlike most other condo and multifamily projects designed by teams that focus exclusively on multifamily mass production, Urbanspace specializes in high-end residential design. “You can tell the difference in the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail we put in to give warmth and character to the homes,” Alley explains.

This attentiveness is evident at every turn. Residences feature expansive floor to ceiling windows to take in views, filling the space with light and air, and blurring the line between indoors and outdoors. Generous balcony space, upscale fixtures, top of the line appliances, and finish palettes featuring high-end materials complement each optimized floor plan, making The Modern feel like a collection of homes rather than cookie-cutter condos.

Read the full article at Austin Home »