Mark Hart, AIA, NCARB is the founding member and CEO of Mark Hart Architecture (MHA). A graduate of The Ohio State University, he relocated to Austin in 1997 and has since built a distinguished career in multifamily, high-rise, and high-density mixed-use architecture, with over 30 years of experience primarily in Central Texas.
Mark views architecture not only as an art form but also as a powerful way to connect with people, believing that positively impacting lives is the ultimate inspiration for an architect. His commitment at MHA centers on transforming clients' visions into reality. As CEO, he leads business development, strategic planning, and client relations, while also overseeing the architectural production process from initial site studies to the completion of construction documents and administration.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys running the trails of Town Lake and cherishes time spent with his wife and two sons.
Photo Credit: Ashlee Newman
Project: Noble 2500
Location: 2500 San Gabriel St
Type: Multi-Family
Size:
Built:
Description: This ground-up, 248-bed student housing project is located just six blocks from The University of Texas at Austin where the former Chelsea apartments were located on West Campus. The project consists of three levels of below-grade parking and seven stories of above-grade student housing. Project highlights include a seventh-floor social lounge and balcony with operable sliding double doors to allow the space to open up to the roof deck which includes a fire pit and study area. The project will also include a gym, second study area, coffee bar, interior and exterior aqua lounge, pool, and interior courtyard.
Project: Axiom East
Location: 2220 Webberville Rd
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 51,137 SF
Built: 2020
Description: Axiom East consists of 60 residential units plus ground floor commercial totaling 51,137 SF of high density, mixed-use development on .75 acres. The property is located directly on the East 7th Street corridor, providing excellent walkability to some of the best restaurants and nightlife that Austin has to offer. Interiors feature moder finishes including European cabinetry, plank flooring, stainless appliances, as well as a resident courtyard with outdoor kitchen, firepit, and community picnic area.
Photo Credit: Baily Olivas
Sara Diamond, AIA, fell in love with architecture growing up in Miami, surrounded by the city's iconic Art Deco buildings and rollerblading through the tropical neighborhoods. After earning her Master of Architecture from Tulane University, she continued west to Austin, Texas and has been working in the profession for over 20 years. She is interested in blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces and has a passion for sustainable design. Her favorite part of the job is collaborating with engineers and design professional from all disciplines, working together to create well thought out projects. Due to the hills of Austin, she has traded in her blades for practicing yoga, swimming in the springs and playing with her two Texas born sons.
Project: Rio Flats
Location: 2822 Rio Grande St.
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 9,331 SF
Built: 2015
Description: A 2-story apartment facility in the West Campus neighborhood of the University of Texas. The 9-unit complex sits above a ‘mini’ podium with parking at grade.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Mark Hart Architecture (MHA) projects range from high-rise architecture to mid-rise architecture to smaller boutique style office and multifamily buildings. MHA is responsible for the design and production for projects in West Campus such as The Corner, The Ruckus and Skyloft. These projects are examples of the style of design that MHA strives for. Coordination and collaboration with the client and the General Contractor are the cornerstones of the MHA process. Using design, creativity and logic the firm offers a full range of architectural services including architecture, master planning, site analyses, interiors and project management.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Project: The Ruckus
Location: 2502 Nueces St.
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 58,745 SF
Built: 2017
Description: The Ruckus is a student housing community located on 2502 Nueces St. in Austin, Texas. The Ruckus creates a boutique and stylish living experience for college students. Amenities include a fitness center on the 7th floor, cyber cafe, 24/7 study lounge, 4 conference rooms, game room , coffee bar, and everyone’s favorite…the sky deck. The Ruckus community offers a two-block commute to UT and easy access to plenty of restaurants and bars. Nearby eateries include Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Casa Colombia, and Ceviche7.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Project: Skyloft
Location: 507 W 23rd St
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 442,000 SF
Built: 2018
Description: The Skyloft is a student housing community that is just minutes away from the heart of The University of Texas. Amenities include: a rooftop pool deck, fully furnished apartments, sky bites market, smart tvs, parking garage, modern kitchen, million-dollar views, convenient location that is 2 blocks away from campus, study rooms, study lounge & coffee bar, business center, fitness center, and bike parking. This 18-story high project is made up of 442,000 square feet. The interior and exterior accents are encapsulated with stylish and modern touches throughout.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
As a Senior Project Manager and Interior Designer at MHA, Chris has 19 years of experience in multi-family, residential architecture. Among these are student housing, market rate apartments and Luxury Condos.
Chris received his bachelor of science in interior design from Texas State University and an associate degree of applied science in engineering design graphics at Austin Community College. He and his wife live on a 23-acre working farm.
Photo Credit: Ashlee Newman
Project: Texan 26
Location: 1009 W 26th St
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 86,280 SF
Built: 2018
Description: Texan 26 is a low-rise student housing community located in West Campus which is just minutes away from the University of Texas. Texan 26 contains 86,280 SF of luxurious loft-style student accommodations. Amenities include an outdoor courtyard, bike storage, secure entry, and on-site laundry. Texan 26 offers a variety of living options for students to choose from. A cozy 2 bedroom offers more privacy while a spacious 7 bedroom shared space is perfect for those on a budget. There are a variety of places and local eateries just minutes away. Fresh plus grocery and orange market are only a 3-minute walk while the 2nd street district mall is an 8-minute drive.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M in 2015 and a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston in 2017. His academic background provided him with a strong foundation in technology and broader thinking, igniting a drive to compose everything with creativity and intention. After beginning his career in two startups geared towards harmonizing technology and design, he returned to architecture, bringing a unique perspective to the field. Over the past 6 years, Jeff has focused on large-scale multifamily developments involving multiple buildings and construction types and is continually updating and streamlining the office standards. Outside of work, Jeff, a native Austinite, enjoys staying active and healthy, along with hand-drawing and capturing new ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Project: The Corner
Location: 2504 San Gabriel St.
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 80,000 SF
Built: 2018
Description: The first of its kind in Austin, this student housing development project utilized a steel framing technology in order to construct the facility quickly and efficiently. The technology was originally developed by Prescient, a Denver-based software design and structural system manufacturing company, to make projects faster, greener, and more cost-effective than conventional structures. While the quick schedule and improved costs were big selling points, the Prescient system also had the appeal of being durable, lightweight and fire resistant.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Inspired by the role the interior environment played while critiquing the restaurant scene of Austin TX, Cord sought out designers of these spaces to get a glimpse behind the scenes. After a visit with MHA, the passion of the designers coupled with the forward-thinking, multidisciplinary collaboration between Architecture and Interiors, Cord left his career in hospitality management to focus on interior design. Cord has been involved in Multifamily Architecture and Interior design at MHA since he graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with a Bachelors of Science in Interior Design. He is an asset for MHA, providing insight to our in-house holistic approach to designing spaces at a human scale. This benefits our clients with a lens into the user experience from the inside out before Interior design consultants are engaged. In addition to design, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, plucking an acoustic guitar, and a good cup of Ethiopian coffee.
Project: Ruckus 2.0
Location: 620 W 24th St
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 88,055
Built: 2019
Description: A vibrantly designed student housing project in the style of the Ruckus brand from Lincoln Ventures. Ruckus 2.0 rests on one of the primary corridors accessing the West Campus neighborhood and the University of Texas. The 7-story project has 67 units with 239 bedrooms with 2 levels of subterranean parking garage. Amenities include a gym located at the 7th floor, multiple locations for studying and socializing, and then a 2-story resident lobby which includes a Lucky Lab coffee bar.
Photo Credit: Twist Tours
Project: Batchtopia
Location: 3218 Manor Road
Type: Multi-Family
Size: 5,470 SF
Built: 2020
Description: Batchtopia, located at 3218 Manor Rd is a creative working space alongside a state of the art brewery. It is conveniently located near Batch craft beer & kolaches, contigo restaurant, dai due, haymaker, along with many more exciting local spots. The space contains a covered patio, abundant natural light, ample parking, and a beautiful mix of old and new design elements.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Cassidy Wilson, originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, received her Master of Architecture from North Dakota State University in 2023 and is currently seeking licensure. Eager to explore new opportunities, she made the move to Austin, where she brings a fresh perspective to projects with her keen eye for design and commitment to thoughtful, sustainable practices. Outside of her professional pursuits, Cassidy enjoys spending time with friends, going to concerts, and exploring the outdoors.
Project: Hilltop
Location: 2400 San Gabriel St
Type: Multifamily
Size: 177,457 SF
Built: 2020
Description: The Hilltop is an off-campus student housing project located within walking distance from the University of Texas. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, and various study rooms. The project offers a rare opportunity for students to live next to a historic building that was built in 1869. The building blends old design styles with brand new and refreshed styles offering a modern look.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Project: Eastgate
Location: 2213 Poquito St.
Type: Multifamily
Size: 58,590 SF
Built: 2019
Description: Eastgate consists of 68 units totaling 58,590 SF of high-density, urban infill residential condominium and lives/work units on .67 acres. The property is located on the Manor Road corridor in the popular French Place/Cherrywood neighborhoods and is just three blocks from the future University of Texas “East Campus” expansion. Features modern finishes including European cabinetry, plank flooring, stainless appliances, as well as a swimming pool and rooftop amenity deck.
Photo Credit: Patrick Wong
Project: Moontower
Location: 2204 San Antonio St.
Type: Multifamily
Size: 204,552 SF
Built: 2020
Description:
Photo Credit:
Project: The Corner
Location: 2504 San Gabriel St.
Type: Multifamily
Size: 143,000 SF
Built: 2016
Description: The Corner is an off-campus student apartment community featuring 62 units containing 1 to 5 bedrooms for a total of 207 beds. The Corner is located just a few blocks west from the heart of the University of Texas. The project stands 8 stories above grade with 2 levels of below grade parking, leasing office, and lounge area. The Corner was the first building in Austin to be constructed with the Prescient system. The Prescient system is a light gauge steel prefabricated building system. It is a faster, greener, and more cost-effective alternative to conventional building structures.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Project: HOM
Location: 3101 Govalle Ave
Type: Multifamily
Size: 63,476 SF
Built: 2020
Description: HOM consists of 59 units totaling 63,476 SF of medium density, infill residential condominium units on 2.22 acres. The property is located in the quiet, yet vibrant, Govalle neighborhood known for its great restaurants, community gardens, and just blocks from the Austin Bouldering Project. Interiors feature modern finishes, including European cabinetry, plank flooring, stainless appliances, as well as a swimming pool and resident clubhouse. Another thing that sets HOM apart from other apartments is its price point.
Photo Credit: Baily Olivas
Project: Point North
Location: 415 E 30th St.
Type: Multifamily
Size: -
Built: 2021
Description: Point North is a new student community focused on stylish and easy living directly across from campus at 30th & Duval. It is conveniently located near the engineering, law, and communication school. Point North provides a place for university students to live, grow, and thrive. Point North has on-site parking and additional bike storage, UT students will find comfortability and accessibility unlike anywhere else as the community is only one block away from campus. Other amenities include an outdoor courtyard area, fitness center, and two dedicated study lounges.
Photo Credit: Baily Olivas
Project: The 9 at Rio
Location: 2100 Rio Grande
Type: Student Housing
Size: 120,904 SF
Built: 2019
Description: Located on Rio Grande Street in the heart of UT’s west campus community, The Nine - Rio was developed by a joint venture form between Lincoln Ventures and 908 Group. This project provides a convenient location alongside well-designed apartments and a fantastic amenity package. With 109 units (347 beds) spread across 6 levels, and two levels of parking below grade, the bright lively design of the Nine has led to two years of successful pre-lease in a market with increasing competition.
Photo Credit: Leonid Furmansky
Location: Austin, TX
Type: Multifamily Student Housing
Size: 118 Units
Built: 2023
