Urbanspace’s guide to 2025 SXSW activations

Written by: Becca Youngers

For networking pros to those just wanting some free food and bev, we’ve got you covered!

South by Southwest, or SXSW, started in 1987 as a way to expand conversations on entertainment and media. This year it’s running from March 7 – 15. Brand activations are an essential part of the SXSW experience. Now household brands have made their mark from hosting activations. The best part? Most of them are free to attend! Read our guide to just a few of the many activations taking place this year!

15 Activations We Love:

Paramount+ “The Lodge”

Dates: March 7-10
Location: Clive Bar
Details: Back for the third year of this activation, Paramount+ is presenting “The Lodge.” It’s an immersive experience covering fan-favorite TV shows and movies Yellowjackets, Gladiator II, 1923, and more.
More Info: Here

YETI Music Showcase

Dates: March 12-14
Location: Yeti Flagship
Details: Three days of live music, drink specials, and limited edition custom designs. This event is first come, first served!
More Info: Here

L’Oréal AirLight Pro Blowout Bar

Dates: March 7-9
Location: 5th & Red River
Details: Free blowouts and styling with L’Oréal stylists to feature their new hair styling tool!
More Info: *to be announced*

Netflix’s “Love is Blind” House

Dates: March 7-9
Location: Lucille Austin
Details: Three days of free drinks and appearances from past cast members. On Sunday, there is a ticketed watch party and a five year celebration!
More Info: Here

JBL Sound Bodega

Dates: March 11-13
Location: 3Ten at ACL Live
Details: An Austin-inspired corner store with live music performances and giveaways! This activation also introduces the launch of two new JBL speakers.
More Info: Here

Bloody Mary Morning

Dates: March 13
Location: GSD&M
Details: This is the 11th annual Bloody Mary Morning presented by Austin PBS and Austin City Limits. Come for free TacoDeli tacos, Tito’s bloody marys, and live music!
More Info: Here

Museum of the Future House

Dates: March 7-11
Location: 3rd & Congress
Details: Travel to the year 2071 through art, technology and immersive experiences. The house is inspired by a museum first shown in Dubai in 2022. Come and enjoy Dubai chocolate and chai tastings as well!
More Info: Here

Rolling Stone’s Future of Music

Dates: March 11-14
Location: ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Details: Presented by Rolling Stone and JBL, the Future of Music is back for the third year at SXSW! The top performers include Megan Moroney, Benson Boone, Ivan Cornejo, and Rema.
More Info: Here

Whataburger Museum of Art

Dates: March 8-9
Location: Wanderlust Wine Co.
Details: This previously virtual art museum is being transformed into an in-person gallery for SXSW! There will be over 200 pieces of fan art, and on Saturday, they’ll be handing out free Monterey Melts from a food truck.
More Info: Here

Fast Company Grill

Dates: March 8-10
Location: Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill
Details: With an impressive list of speakers and contributors, Fast Company Grill is back again for SXSW. Join them for innovative conversation over food and drink!
More Info: Here

NASA House

Dates: March 8-9
Location: Austin Central Library
Details: NASA is transforming the already iconic Austin Central Library into an immersive space where visitors can help shape space. There will be hands-on exhibits and exploration opportunities for visitors.
More Info: Here

Axios House

Dates: March 7-9
Location: Inn Cahoots
Details: Join Axios, a national news organization, and an impressive list of guest speakers to learn more about innovation in technology, media, and culture.
More Info: Here

Rivian’s Electric Roadhouse

Dates: March 7-15
Location: 208 S Congress
Details: Rivian is hosting events and activations throughout the entire week of SXSW. You can sign up to drive one of the electric vehicles around Austin or just head to their location to find out more about the company!
More Info: Here

Hook ‘Em House

Dates: March 7-8
Location: Antone’s
Details: Whether you’re a Texas Ex or new to Austin, UT is hosting their own activation at Antone’s for SXSW. They will be having live music, panels and Longhorn swag to pick up.
More Info: Here

Pop Up Grocer

Dates: March 7-April 6
Location: 513 E. 6th Street
Details: This specialty NYC grocery store is hosting a pop up for the entire month of March! The store typically offers foods you wouldn’t find at your typical grocery store or supermarket.
More Info: Here

Still waiting for more announcements?

As per usual with SXSW, details and new announcements for will continue to be announced until March 7 (maybe even later)! Stay up to date with activation announcements with some of these resources:

The Blueprint:

Includes event locations, details, days, and a place to store your favorite events!
Link here

The Dirty Team:

Their Instagram, X and Discord server are all posting activations and details every day!
Instagram, X, Discord

Ausnio:

They cover all sorts of things in Austin and San Antonio, and are well known for their SXSW event round up!
Link here

SXSW:

Their schedule is constantly being updated with any and all information you could need!
Link here

Conclusion

Though we might already be dreading the traffic on the roads for this year’s SXSW, it’s such an important week for the city of Austin. To have such influential companies and thinkers flock to our city is something we shouldn’t take for granted. Whether you have a detailed event itinerary or will be staying at home as much as possible for the week, happy SXSW from us at Urbanspace!

Kevin Burns Reveals New Details About Rainey Street Skyscraper, Including Name and Project Team

The tower formerly known as 9092 Rainey, which has been in the works for several years, officially has a new name and new project specifications.

The Modern Austin Residences will have 56 stories featuring 346 market-rate residences and 21 affordable housing units. Austin’s Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors is developing the project.

The affordable housing units will be available to people earning 80% of median family income, which is $98,900 in the Austin metro. The market rate units will start in the $400,000 range for a one-bedroom unit. Three-bedroom units will go for $1.6 million and above.

These updates, provided by Urbanspace CEO Kevin Burns, come just a few months after Austin City Council approved a density bonus for the project, allowing the building to go higher than typically allowed. At the time, the tower was planned to be 51 stories high and to contain 400 total units.

Burns said some of the extra stories were added to improve the look of the crown of the building by hiding water cooling towers and other mechanical features. He said they ended up reducing the number of market rate residences but maintaining the same number of affordable ones.

Many have wondered about the fate of Container Bar, the popular bar made of shipping containers that sits on the project site. Burns said the bar will close just before crews break ground on The Modern, which is set for late March 2022.

However, Bridget Dunlap — who owns Container Bar as well as Clive Bar and Lustre Pearl — has signed on to run an entertainment space in the basement of the building.

“Container Bar had a good run, but I’m excited for what’s next,” Dunlap said in a statement. “This next concept will fill a niche that Austin is missing in the music/hospitality scene, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to stay in our spot.”

Nelsen Partners will be the design architect for the tower, Flintco will be the general contractor and Page will be the architect of record. Urbanspace will handle sales and interior design for the tower.

Sales are expected to begin at the start of next year. Burns said it will likely take two and a half years to complete construction. He projects they’ll finish in the second half of 2024.

Original plans for the tower included hotel space and permanent residences, but Covid-19 forced the developer to rethink the plan.

“The fact of the matter is what my company knows inside and out, backwards and forwards is high-rise condominiums,” Burns said. “So it allowed us to really focus on what we do best.”

Urbanspace has been tapped to sell the condos for other high-profile Austin towers, including The Independent, which has an onsite coffee and cocktail bar on the ground floor, similar to what is planned for The Modern. But The Modern Austin Residences represents Burns’ first foray into high-rise development.

Calls for denser housing within the city limits have grown louder amid the city of Austin’s persistent housing shortage. In June, the Austin Board of Realtors reported that the city had only 0.7 months of housing inventory on the market. That means if no new houses were listed, the city would be completely out of available housing in less than a month.

“We couldn’t beat the timing as far as the current market demands for products in Central Austin,” Burns said.

Rainey Street, in particular, has transformed considerably in recent the years. In the mid-2000s, the neighborhood received Central Business District zoning, making it easier to build big in what was once a residential area. The street is now known in large part for its bars, which largely occupy former single-family homes.

“Rainey street is evolving for families from all different walks of life, for those that want to ditch the car and be able to walk to everything,” Burns said. “I’m excited to see not just my project but the other projects that are going up in the area that are really going to create an incredible experience, not just for those that live there, but for the entire city.”

Article from: Austin Business Journal