AUSTIN, Texas — Residents at one of downtown Austin’s newest luxury towers say they are paying thousands of dollars a month while dealing with repeated power outages, cooling problems, water issues, and other concerns that have left some questioning whether the building is safe.
CBS Austin spoke with dozens of people who live at the Residences at ATX Tower on West Sixth Street. Several residents asked that their identities be concealed because they fear retaliation.
“We should trust that our building that we pay this price for is built correctly,” one resident said.
Residents sent CBS Austin more than a dozen photos and videos showing what they say they have experienced inside the building. The complaints range from power and air conditioning problems to elevators and trash chutes that do not work.
Residents at one of downtown Austin’s newest luxury towers say they are paying thousands of dollars a month while dealing with repeated power outages, cooling problems, water issues, and other concerns that have left some questioning whether the building is safe. (Photo: Anonymous)
“We expect basic things to be taken care of,” one resident said.
Another described losing sleep when the air conditioning stopped working.
“Multiple sleepless nights where it’s just so hot,” the resident said.
That same resident said the trash chute on their floor routinely has problems.
“The door just simply won’t open, so trash piles up in the trash room, which is terrible, horrible smell,” the resident said.
Residents also reported plumbing and water problems. One resident described visible water damage inside their apartment and said, “Next to where the water damage is, we can hear water rushing behind the wall.”
Residents at one of downtown Austin’s newest luxury towers say they are paying thousands of dollars a month while dealing with repeated power outages, cooling problems, water issues, and other concerns that have left some questioning whether the building is safe. (Photo: Anonymous)
The resident said the issue led to concerns about problems they may not be able to see.
“I mean if there’s black mold, if there are more issues with the electricity, that could be a real danger,” the resident said.
Residents have also raised concerns about windowpanes and panels falling. One resident said the number of issues has left them feeling ignored.
“The issues that we’ve experienced feel like we’re shouting out to the wind. It feels like nobody is listening,” the resident said.
Residents told CBS Austin that building staff have tried to help during some of the problems, including providing food or vouchers. However, they said those efforts do not make up for the number of issues they say they have experienced, particularly at the price they are paying.
Most residents CBS Austin spoke with said they pay around $4,000 a month in rent. RentCafe currently lists units at the Residences at ATX Tower from about $2,600 to more than $10,000 a month.
The tower was completed just last year, leaving residents with questions about why a relatively new building is experiencing so many reported problems.
“I don’t know how this building got approved past any sort of inspection because we’re all really suffering,” one resident said.
Another described the uncertainty as a source of anxiety.
“Just super anxious right now, because we’re living in a building that we don’t know if it’s safe or not to live here,” the resident said.
That resident called for the city to take another look at the property.
CBS Austin began asking the same questions residents are asking:
Why does a new building have so many reported issues? Was the Residences at ATX Tower properly inspected? Is it safe for residents to live there?
CBS Austin contacted the City of Austin, the developer, builder, property management, and independent experts seeking interviews and answers to those questions. No one agreed to an interview.
Austin Development Services did respond in writing. The city said ATX Tower received its Certificate of Occupancy after required building inspections.
Since the building has been occupied, Code Compliance inspectors have responded to two complaints. According to the city, inspectors found no code violations when they visited the property. The city also said “the complaints had been repaired when inspectors arrived.”
Despite that response, residents told CBS Austin they still want additional scrutiny of the building.
“What do you want done?” I asked the residents.
“I would like a full inspection of the building. It needs to be up to code. It needs a third-party inspector. We need to make sure we are living in a safe place,” the resident said.
Another resident said their primary concern is getting confirmation that the building is safe.
“I want a confirmation that the building is actually safe to live in,” the resident said.
Some residents told CBS Austin they are considering leaving the building and want to be reimbursed or released from their leases.
“There are residents that would like to leave that don’t feel safe and can’t trust how unreliable and unpredictable the building has been,” one resident said.
Another described their own growing concern.
“They don’t feel safe anymore. I don’t feel very safe anymore, and it’s just proven to become unlivable,” the resident said.
CBS Austin also reached out to Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who represents the area where ATX Tower is located. His office said he was unavailable for an interview.
Qadri encouraged residents experiencing problems to report them through Austin 311 so their concerns can be documented and directed to city staff for investigation.
CBS Austin will continue seeking answers from the companies involved with the building and city officials as residents push for more information about the problems they say they are experiencing.
If you are experiencing similar problems, CBS Austin wants to hear from you. You can also contact thereceipts@cbsaustin.com if you or a loved one has been scammed, overcharged, or if you believe your tax dollars are being wasted.
