'People who've been here for a long time feel a certain ownership of some elements of the city,' says James Rambin, who runs the Austin Towers blog. In fact, they've probably been happening since the city was founded. KUT The view of Austin's skyline from Mount Bonnell in West Austin.Ĭomplaints about Austin's changes are not new. 'There must be a reason behind it – I don't know what it is – but there must be a reason.' I think whatever's up there, maybe we don't need to see – and so it's strange that they've left it so people can see it,' he says. 'It's just such a strange choice that it's visible. But it’s the design of the top - or the “crown” - that has Jonathan curious. He says he doesn't know what's at the top or why it looks that way, but he says it looks 'unfinished.' 'This is Austin – people are usually angry about something – but this building has definitely got people up in arms.'

The 59-story luxury apartment tower is definitely attention-getting, and some eyes are drawn all the way to the top – to what looks from afar like a tennis court or one of those nets to stop golf balls at a driving range.ĪTXplained listener Jonathan Murphy wanted to know why it looks like that – and why people are so upset about it. Some call it the 'Jenga tower' because of its jagged appearance – shapes jutting out from the sides of the building. in downtown Austin, is the city's newest tallest building.

Jenga building austin