Office space to rent Austin: Overview and history
Austin, Texas’ capital, has been recognized as the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S., with projections suggesting it could reach a population of four million by 2040. It's famous for the slogan "Keep Austin Weird" and its role as a hub for creativity, innovation, and entertainment. Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin boasts over 200 live music venues and hosts major festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Historically, Austin was founded in 1838 and initially named Waterloo. That was changed the following year in honor of Stephen F. Austin. It grew rapidly due to its central location, becoming a significant political and economic center in the state. Over the decades, the city's economy has evolved from government and education to a thriving tech hub and a hotspot for startups.
Austin hosts the only Formula One race in the United States at the Circuit of the Americas, making it a significant event on the racing calendar since 2012.
Large companies that have chosen Austin Office Space
Austin is home to several major companies, especially in tech and business services. Companies like Dell Technologies, Oracle, Apple, and Tesla have their headquarters in the area, with Apple’s new campus located in North Austin and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Southeast Austin. Other companies with a notable office presence include 3M, Indeed, and Whole Foods (which was founded here). These companies are primarily located in areas like North and East Austin, providing a growing economic backbone to the city.
Popular business hubs with offices in Austin
The most concentrated office locations in Austin are in downtown, followed by the North and Northwest areas, particularly around the Domain, a major mixed-use development. The South Congress area is also growing in popularity for office space, due to its proximity to downtown and the vibrant community and entertainment venues located there. The tech industry primarily dominates the northern corridors.
Cost Comparison of renting an office in Austin
Austin is generally more affordable than tech hubs like San Francisco or New York, but its rapidly growing popularity has led to an increase in the cost of living and commercial rent. Office rents are still competitive compared to cities like Silicon Valley, but the demand is driving prices up. For businesses, Austin offers a lower tax burden and less expensive office leases than other large cities.
Office space in Austin: Transport and infrastructure
Austin’s transportation system includes public buses operated by Capital Metro, along with a light rail line, the MetroRail, which connects the city’s northern suburbs to downtown. Austin also offers a well-established network of cycling lanes and bike-sharing programs. The city has a walkable downtown, with pedestrian-friendly streets. At night, some central areas are lit up by the nation’s only surviving Moonlight Towers, built in the 1890s to light up the dark streets.
Key highways leading to Austin include I-35 (from San Antonio and Mexico), U.S. Route 290 (from Houston), and U.S. Route 183 (from the north).
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the city’s main airport, about 6 miles southeast of downtown, provides direct flights to other important business centers.
