Entertainment, Dining and Shopping are All Within Easy Reach from the W Residences
Whether walking or driving, there are several grocery shopping options. The 80,000-square-foot Whole Foods flagship store — just a few blocks from home — as well as the Wheatsville Food Co-Op and Central Market, both a short drive away, are the three favorite destinations for W residents. There is also a Farmers Market (just a five minute walk) at Republic Square Park every Saturday for locally grown produce and other fresh, sustainable foods.
The W, also known as Block 21, provides easy access to restaurants, live music venues, and fine shopping, all within walking distance. In the 2nd Street district, there are numerous boutiques to explore and discover some of the most unique fashion finds, gifts and household decorations. These include Bonobos, Eliza Page, Francesca’s, Girl Next Door, Langford Market, Hemline, Luxe Apothetique, Austin Rocks, Swatch, Austin MacWorks, Bar Chi Sushi and Austin Java to name some of the best shops in the city.
For a more extensive shopping spree, Barton Creek Square, one of the largest malls in Texas featuring 180 stores and restaurants, is about 10 minutes away. Some of the more popular retailers include Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Apple, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Chicos, Foot Locker, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Gap, Lane Bryant, Lego, Nine West, Old Navy, as well as Sears and many others.
Local Foodie Favorites
The number of world-class restaurants in Austin is mind-boggling, and just keeps growing — and being at the W puts you within easy reach of scores of them. La Condesa restaurant is just across the street and a local favorite. Serving lunch, dinner, cocktails and brunch, the menu is filled with delectable dishes. Carne Asada prepared on the wood-fired grill gets rave reviews. A New York strip garnished with braised fennel, preserved lemon and citrus-habanero butter satisfies even the finest of palates. The signature cocktails are famous; Nueva Moda, Honey Hawk, Watermelon-Elderflower Martinis and the passionfruit and mango spiced margaritas are all on the top of the list. Also known for their incredible infused tequila drinks, the tobacco-infused El Cubico or the habanero-infused Alma Blanca are very popular for the locals.
Garridos is another fine restaurant only two blocks away with dinners that are just as incredible. The Ginger Man seems to have the most beers on tap and is a great spot to just relax and hang out with friends.
Upstairs in the W Hotel is Lambert’s Restaurant. The coffee-rubbed brisket almost melts in your mouth and the mustard and brown sugar crusted ribeye is one of the best in town. With a healthy selection of meal options, the atmosphere is beautiful and the convenience factor is outstanding.
Live Music, Ballet and the Performing Arts
In addition to all the great food, The Moody Theater hosts ACL Live Concerts continuously throughout the year, and is right downstairs. W residents enjoy preferred access to ACL Live concerts and to all shows and events at the theater.
Ballet Austin, only a four-minute walk, is among the largest classical ballet companies in the country and also operates the largest combined training facility associated with a professional ballet company in the United States. Touted by The Washington Post as “one of the nation’s best kept ballet secrets,” the performances engage the community and audiences.
The Long Center for the Performing Arts — again only a few minutes’ walk or two minute drive — is a wonderful addition to Austin, bringing performances to life via a professional symphony, opera, ballet and theatre at its best. Austin’s cultural and artistic talents are among the city’s most treasured achievements. Many of the W residents hold season passes to ensure that they do not miss any of the cultural and artistic events that come to life on the stage.
“I love living at the W because you are really in the absolute center of Austin,” says Dr. Stephen Van Roekel, an Emergency Physician at First Choice ER. “I can walk to just about everything and if I choose to stay in, the amenities are spectacular on both the residential side and the hotel side. Anytime I need a little energy injected into my day, all I have to do is walk over to the hotel lounge, gym, pool deck or just walk outside. As for the evenings, when you want to be somewhere — you already are.”