New Construction Move-In Guide: What to Expect in 2025–2026
Freight elevator booking, punch-list walkthrough, utilities setup and delivery schedules for The Travis, 415 Colorado and ATX Tower.
By the Austin High Rise Apartment Team · · 6 min read
You signed at a new tower. Now what?
Moving into a brand-new building is different from moving into an established one. More people are moving in at once, systems are new, and some details are still being finished. This checklist covers the four weeks before and the first week after move-in at Austin’s new construction high rises.
The 2025–2026 delivery schedule
| Tower | Address | Delivered | Floors |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Travis | 80 Red River St | 2026 | 50 |
| Paseo | 80 Rainey St | 2025 | 48 |
| 415 Colorado | 415 Colorado St | 2025 | 50 |
| The Residences at ATX Tower | 321 W 6th St | 2025 | 58 (homes from 22) |
| The Modern Austin Residences | 610 Davis St | 2025 | 56 |
Floors and amenities in these towers are released in stages, so your move-in date may depend on your floor’s release.
Four weeks out
- Reserve the freight elevator. Slots fill fast when hundreds of units are moving in. Book the day you sign.
- Book movers for that exact slot and send them the building’s move rules (padding, insurance certificate, loading zone).
- Confirm move-in cash: first month, prorated rent, deposit or alternative, admin fee. The Move-In Cost Estimator on our Free Tools page helps, or ask us.
- Confirm the amenity schedule. Which spaces are open on your move-in date?
Two weeks out
- Set up electricity in your name if required.
- Schedule internet. Many towers have fiber or a building package; confirm which and when it activates.
- Get renter’s insurance. Most towers require proof before keys.
- Confirm parking: stall assignment, garage access and fees ($175–$250 a month is common downtown for reserved spaces).
Move-in day: the punch-list walkthrough
Before furniture comes in, walk the empty unit with your phone:
- Floors: scratches, gaps, uneven planks
- Walls and paint: dings, missed spots, nail pops
- Doors and cabinets: alignment, closing, hardware
- Appliances: run each one, including the dishwasher and laundry
- Plumbing: run every faucet and shower, check under sinks for drips
- HVAC: test heating and cooling in every room
- Windows and shades: operation and seals
- Electrical: test outlets and lights
Submit the list in writing, with photos, within the building’s deadline (often 48–72 hours). It protects your deposit and gets new-building issues fixed early.
New buildings have a shakedown period
Expect a few service requests in the first month. It’s normal. What matters is response time, which is one of the things we track per management company.
First week
- Set up the resident app, smart-lock entry and package notifications.
- Learn the destination dispatch elevators if your tower has them: you enter your floor before boarding.
- Register guests and pets as the building requires.
- Follow up on any open punch-list items.
Move-in day timeline
Here’s how a smooth move into a new tower usually runs:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Morning | Pick up keys and fobs; walk the empty unit for your punch list |
| Freight slot | Movers load in through the dock and freight elevator |
| Afternoon | Utilities and internet confirmed; furniture placed |
| Evening | Garage access, mailbox and package locker tested |
Tips for the day:
- Arrive early enough to finish the punch-list walkthrough before furniture blocks the floors and walls.
- Keep your mover’s certificate of insurance handy; many buildings check it at the dock.
- Know the freight elevator rules: time limits, padding, and who to call if it’s delayed.
- Label boxes by room, because new towers often have long corridors between the elevator and your door.
Common new-building surprises
- Fob or app access not activated yet. Confirm with management the day before.
- Package room setup. New towers sometimes finish smart-locker systems after the first move-ins.
- Parking assignments. Make sure your reserved space is marked and your garage access works.
- Amenity access. Some amenities need a separate orientation or waiver.
Your first month checklist
- Confirm all punch-list items are closed in writing
- Register your car, pets and any regular guests
- Learn the destination dispatch elevators if your tower has them
- Save management’s after-hours emergency number
If you’re still choosing between a new tower and an established one, read new construction vs. established high rise.
If something isn’t ready
If your unit or amenities aren’t ready as promised, check your lease’s delayed move-in clause and amenity terms, and contact management in writing. We help renters we’ve placed sort these out. For more on early-resident trade-offs, read moving into a tower still finishing amenities.