ATX Tower Under Scrutiny After Series of Glass Panels Fall in Downtown Austin

Austin city officials are investigating the recently completed ATX Tower after reports of multiple glass panels detaching from the building in recent months have raised serious safety concerns in the downtown area.

In the past week, there was yet another incident, marking at least the fourth occurrence in just four months, where glass from the tower has fallen onto public streets, according to KVUE.

The ATX Tower, located at 321 W. Sixth St., stands at approximately 670 feet in height and was completed in February 2025. Developed by Ryan Companies, this remarkable 834,000-square-foot skyscraper stands out as one of the tallest new buildings in Austin's Central Business District, featuring a mix of office, residential, and retail spaces.

A spokesperson from the Austin Development Services Department verified that on Monday, August 4, the city acknowledged the recent occurrence of falling glass. The department has revealed its partnership with Ryan Companies to conduct site visits and determine the root cause of the persistent issue.

“The latest developments bring to light serious issues, and safeguarding the community continues to be our top concern,” the spokesperson remarked. “We are monitoring the situation closely and supporting the ongoing investigation.”

Ryan Companies has indicated that it is investigating the situation. No injuries have been reported due to the falling glass; nonetheless, the increasing occurrence of these incidents has sparked worries among city officials and pedestrians.

Safety barricades and caution signs have been installed around specific areas of the building as a precaution while inspections of the structure and materials are in progress.

The ATX Tower stands out as a notable addition in the heart of Austin, a city that has seen a remarkable surge in high-rise developments recently. The continuous growth of the city’s skyline has brought attention to the ongoing problems at this tower, raising alarms about the quality control and oversight standards in high-rise construction projects.

City officials have not disclosed whether any enforcement actions, citations, or building restrictions will be implemented following the investigation's findings.

Ryan Companies has announced that they will share additional details once they identify and resolve the cause of the panel failures.

‍