A Home in the City Skyline
Words by: Codi Chen Photos by: Likeness Studio
High above Rainey Street, where Lady Bird Lake bends south, and the Austin skyline stretches west, a two-story penthouse atop The Modern offers a different way of thinking about home. Rather than feeling removed from the city below, the residence is deeply connected to it, shaped by views, movement, and the rhythms of daily life lived vertically.
“When we’re shaping floor plans for a condo building, we’re thinking about how people move through the space and how it feels to arrive,” says Merrill Alley, Principal of Development and Interiors at Urbanspace Design Studio. “At this scale, it’s about creating something that feels considered and personal, not just impressive.”
From the moment you step inside the penthouse, the lower level feels sleek and functional. This floor serves as the core of the home, where daily life unfolds against a backdrop of expansive glass windows. Materials are intentionally dark and tactile, chosen to balance the natural light and city views rather than compete with them. Wood, stone, and textured surfaces give the rooms weight and warmth, letting the metropolis outside remain part of the home without taking over.
“At this scale, it’s about creating something that feels considered and personal, not just impressive.”
Art and furnishings further anchor that feeling. Rather than reading as styled or thematic, the home feels collected over time. “We wanted the common areas to feel like an extension of his life,” Merrill explains, referring to Kevin Burns, homeowner and creator of The Modern. Artwork sourced from travels around the world grounds the penthouse in both place and memory.
One of the most intimate moments of this design is tucked away in the bathing suite. Wrapped in green quartzite and black marble, the indoor shower and soaking tub open to a private outdoor terrace. It’s a space designed for quiet moments rather than display.
Near the entryway, a staircase marks a distinct transition to the upper level. Moving to the second floor, the home opens into its social heart. This space is designed for gathering, with generous living spaces for entertaining. Durable furniture anchors each zone, while subtle punctuations of color add energy to an otherwise tonal palette. “Furniture was the central driver,” Merrill notes. “It gave us permission to take risks while keeping everything cohesive.”
Beyond the glass, the rooftop terrace stretches the living space outward, with an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and large hot tub overlooking the Austin skyline. Even above it all, the penthouse manages to feel connected to the city below.
A Defining Moment
For Kevin Burns, this penthouse represents more than a place to live. As owner of The Modern, it serves as a deeply personal expression of a career devoted to development, design, and shaping the Austin skyline.
Contact:
themodern@urbanspacelifestyle.com
512.599.8088
610 Davis St
301 West Ave., #100
urbanspaceinteriors.com
@urbanspaceinteriors
