This project is a proposal to develop an entire city block, north of Austin’s City Hall. MRA’s proposal advocates the creation of an emblematic, powerful public plaza that will serve as an everyday gathering place for the citizens of Austin, a site for civic, entertainment and cultural events, and the heart of the Second Street retail and entertainment district.

The concave shape of the urban plaza is a clear reaction to the City Hall. In the proposed design, a cultural institution would complement the north side of City Hall, washing across an urban plaza to embrace and celebrate the building. The base building element of the design that serves as the backdrop to the civic plaza will house first floor retail space and a cultural entity such as the Austin Museum of Art or the Texas Music Hall of Fame.

Two towers will rest on the base building, one designed for hotel use and one planned for condominium or rental units. The top of the base building around these towers  contains a large terrace and pool area for the shared use of the hotel and the residential units, which can also be used for special events conducted within the plaza area.