ACL Live has fast earned a reputation as the crème de la crème of Austin's live music venues, most recently named Best Venue Major Concert Venue by industry authority Pollstar. And the adjoining W Austin Hotel and Residences keep up with the international lifestyle brand's world renowned reputation for being on the cusp of burgeoning trends and talent with top tier service and progressive programs for guests and Austinites to partake in, like music series Symmetry Live and Living Room Live.

But the backbone to all of this success is the building in which these programs take place, the entire entity of which is called Block 21. The building is the first-mixed occupancy project of its time in the world to achieve LEED certification. What this means is Block 21 (which includes ACL Live, the W Austin Hotel and Residences and a handful of restaurants and stores including Coal Vines Restaurant, Urban Outfitters and more) was concepted and built using the most sustainable methods possible.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized mark of excellence: "LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions."

Completed by Stratus Properties Inc. and the Canyon Urban Fund II in 2010, the sustainable design features of 1.08 million square foot Block 21 include low-impact site development, water and energy efficiency, recycled-content, regionally sourced and manufactured, low-emitting construction materials, diversion of construction debris from landfills, abundant daylight and views and healthful indoor air quality. Block 21 effortlessly strikes the difficult balance of cosmopolitan elegance and environmental stewardship, staying true to that understated, cool vibe that Austin is famous for.

Beau Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of Stratus Properties, Inc. tells CultureMap, “It is so satisfying to see our vision of Block 21 realized. Our goal was to not only build something that would contribute to the revitalization of downtown but to also support Austin’s long term goal of being one of the most sustainable cities in the country.”