After sitting largely empty since its completion in 2022, Austin’s iconic Sail Tower—also known as Block 185—is finally beginning to fill with employees. Google, which signed a full-building lease years before the tower opened, has started moving workers into the space, marking a major moment for both downtown Austin and the city’s evolving office market.

Block 185 is a 35-story, 594-foot-tall tower spanning approximately 804,000 square feet, making it one of the largest and most prominent office buildings in the city. Google originally committed to the entire building in 2019, with a lease running through 2038, yet the tower remained mostly vacant for nearly three years after opening—an outcome that reflects broader shifts in how and where people work.

Although the building was delivered in 2022, Google continued operating out of its nearby offices at 500 W. Second Street, directly across the street. Like many large employers, Google reevaluated its real estate footprint following the pandemic, as hybrid and remote work became normalized. The result was a highly visible but quiet skyscraper—fully leased on paper, yet largely unused in practice.

Now, as employees begin to move in, the Sail Tower is finally transitioning from a skyline landmark into an active workplace.

Block 185 is owned by Cousins Properties, which acquired the tower for $521.8 million. That price tag reflects long-term confidence in Austin’s position as a major business and technology hub, even as office vacancies remain elevated both locally and nationwide.

Google’s move-in comes at a time when the company itself is valued at around $4 trillion, underscoring the scale of investment behind this single tenant and the importance of Austin within Google’s broader strategy.

Block 185’s delayed activation is not an isolated case. Across Austin—and cities nationwide—office buildings have struggled with higher vacancy rates as fewer workers return to the office full time. Many companies now operate on hybrid schedules, downsizing space or delaying move-ins altogether. In Austin, even newer Class A towers have faced slower lease-up timelines, despite strong long-term demand and population growth.

What makes Block 185 notable is that its vacancy was not due to a lack of tenants. Instead, it highlights a new reality: companies may secure space years in advance, but actually occupying it now depends on evolving workplace norms rather than traditional office models.

Google finally activating the Sail Tower sends a strong signal. It suggests renewed confidence in in-person collaboration, long-term planning, and Austin’s role as a key tech city—even as remote work remains part of the equation. For downtown Austin, it means increased foot traffic, economic activity, and visibility at a time when many urban cores are still adjusting to post-pandemic realities.

Block 185 was always designed to be a flagship. With people now inside the building, it’s no longer just a symbol on the skyline—it’s a real-time indicator of where the office market may be headed next.