Spacious green places and backyards are typically not the first things that come to mind when one things about urban living. However, at The Austonian, residents are afforded a 12,000-square-foot backyard where they can enjoy the beautiful Central Texas springs and summers – swimming, walking, relaxing, playing, cooking and more –  all with breathtaking views of the Texas State Capitol, Congress Avenue, and Lady Bird Lake.

Designed by landscape architecture firm TBG Partners, the 10th-floor Lawn was designed to be a centralized, community area where residents (and pets) could swim, relax and entertain. On the eastern side of the building, the Lawn runs along Congress Avenue, offering residents a peaceful place to relax and socialize above - and yet amidst - the bustling activity of downtown and the surrounding area.

The Lawn features a 75-foot lap pool complete with eight foaming bubbler fountains and an in-water seating area. Luxurious lawn chairs in the water and along the sundeck promenade offer residents the ideal place to read a book, have a conversation, surf the web, or soak up the sun. A seven-seat saltwater spa compliments the pool, offering an optimal relaxation spot on a lazy Saturday or following a stressful day at work.

Eight luxury cabanas that border the pool's north and south ends feature lush, comfortable seating and privacy curtains. An outdoor kitchen complete with a grill and a stovetop, and the Lawn's outdoor fireplaces offer additional gathering spaces that are perfect for a BBQ, a football tailgating party or dinner al fresco.

West of the Lawn is an area devoted to pets. A 600-square-foot dog park, with Synlawn synthetic grass and a complete draining system gives the dogs that live at The Austonian their own space to have relax and socialize.

Designed as a green roof system, The Austonian's 10th-floor lawn features 65 different types of native plants that help to reduce the temperature in the air.  The natural vegetation on The Lawn produces a cooling effect and creates a pleasant outdoor area for relaxing and entertaining. The low-water plants on the Lawn are completely irrigated by water reclaimed from the building's air conditioning system as well, a green feature that is simultaneously beautiful and practical.

For Austonian residents, the 10th-floor Lawn is more than just a "backyard," it is a sustainable green space that they can take pride in, a community gathering hole, an extended kitchen and a piece of art that makes their home distinct and unique.