From Chase to Procore: Austin’s Iconic Tower Gets a New Name Amidst the City’s Growth

Austin’s landscape is changing and I’m not just talking about the new coat of paint on the old bungalow down the street. The city is swelling with tech companies and new people moving in, in droves.

A report not too long ago stated that Austin’s on track to be the fastest-growing metro area in the country by 2028. We’re looking at a jump from 2.4 to over 2.7 million people. Blimey, that’s not a small number, is it?

Now, let’s talk about the Chase Tower—or should I say, the newly christened Procore Tower at 221 W 6th Street. It’s a landmark standing tall and proud in the heart of the city. Procore, a tech giant, has thrown its hat into the Austin ring, just like many others. It’s not their first rodeo here, though. They started small back in 2013 and now occupy 8 floors in the building.

Steve Zahm, Procore’s Chief Culture Officer, mentioned the Austin office’s impressive growth over the last ten years. It’s big news for Austin and for folks in the tech industry.

We’ve got other changes brewing, too. Riverside Resources has its eyes set on turning an old condo sales office into the 507 West Bar. If you find yourself down by West Sixth Street and West Avenue, keep an eye out for it.

And let’s not forget about the plans to turn the CLEAT headquarters at 14th and Guadalupe into a 35-story residential tower. It’s all in the works. The skyline of our city is changing, and it’s changing fast.

Affordable housing is getting its fair share of attention as well. Mary Lee Square, off South Lamar, is being revamped to offer affordable living spaces by 2027. It’s an initiative by Foundation Communities and the Mary Lee Foundation to support low-income households.

Amid all this buzz, the I-35 highway expansion is moving forward, with a price tag of $4.5 billion. There’s been some back and forth on it, but the project’s been greenlit.

Being a handyman who’s laid down roots in Austin, watching the city transform is a bit like watching a kid grow up. And though I’ve got that British blood running through my veins, the change, the buzz—it all feels like how I imagine London started out. From Procore Tower to every new development, Austin is proving it’s got the grit to grow while keeping that charm we all fell for. Cheers to that.