• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Crux Climbing Center Opens Multi-Purpose Space off South Congress

June 6, 2016 by Talena Ramnath Leave a Comment

Crux Climbing Center Austin

Crux Climbing Center brings a unique facility to Austin’s climbing scene (Credit: Derrington Building Studio)

Off of South Congress stands the massive, angular structure of Crux Climbing Center, the newest bouldering and rope gym to inspire Austin residents to place hand on rock. The 22,000 square foot facility opened on May 7, 2016 with a huge competition, Setter Showdown, that drew hundreds of climbers from around the United States.

Local climbers Matt Twyman and Kevin Goradia partnered with East Austin architecture firm Derrington Building Studio to create a space that is incredibly unique to athletes, yogis and those searching for a gym with a comfortable but modern aesthetic.

“Ultimately, our vision is to make it a home. Climbing is very community-centric, and people just want to have a place to go gather and hang out. Climbing is almost like a second part of it. You spend more time hanging out with friends. We wanted a place where people enjoy being that is comfy and clean as they climb, read, do yoga and whatever else,” shared Twyman.

Community for Coffee, Climbing and Wine at The Homestead

The general plaza on Pickle Street where the gym is located, dubbed “The Homestead,” is also home to The Infinite Monkey Theorem winery and will soon host another Buzz Mill Coffee site, food trucks and a dog park.

“You can plan your whole day around this one site, and that’s what we’ve always had in mind where you can get coffee, go climbing and then go get wine. Everything you want to do in a day packed up. It’s more like a community space with that in mind. We’re always just trying to think of ways to bring everyone together,” said Goradia.

Crux Architecture Incorporates Climbers’ Outdoor Perspective

Bouldering Corral Crux Climbing Center

The Bouldering Corral provides a variety of problems for novices and experts (Credit: Merrick Ales)

Gazing at the building’s structure leaves you with the impression that this is a facility worth entering for sheer curiosity’s sake. The gym was designed with a climber’s perspective in mind. The architect and gym owners pictured the angular, sloped landscapes that climbers grapple with outdoors.

It is unconventional and iconic with its glass façade that cantilevers over the main skeleton of the building, composing the lounge and beautifully open yoga studio that faces a nearby pond.

“From an experiential point of view, we inserted the question of, ‘What is natively known to these rock climbers?’ We wanted to play with that idea with an iconic, simple form that you can see from South Congress, and then experience it differently when you start walking up. There’s a native intelligence about how to experience that part of the design.” -Blair McKay, Derrington Building Studio.

Walking inside, you’re immediately made aware of the type of operation you’re entering. The guidelines of becoming a member are clearly outlined, and the retail section is expansive and high-end, offering quality apparel, gear and snacks from numerous brands.

Registration is simple; you can even register online before you arrive, and a staff member will kindly orient you to each climbing area. Don’t worry about bringing any gear such as shoes, chalk, harness or rope. You can easily rent these items if you’re new to climbing (you’re welcome to bring your own equipment, too). There are numerous skylights within the gym, as well as wide windows to allow natural lighting and the impression of connecting with the outdoors.

Reconfigurable Future Wall and Steep 24/7 Bouldering Cave

Setter Showdown Crux Climbing Center

Professional Climber Nina Williams getting it on during Setter Showdown on the Future Wall (Credit: Merrick Ales)

The gym hosts several rooms dedicated to bouldering and rope climbing. The walls are graded by the standard scales, and there’s also a fun V Scale-based grading system that uses a specific animal to denote certain grading ranges.

The rope climbing area has walls that reach 30 feet high, featuring 27 anchors in total that can be utilized for lead anchors, top-rope and/or auto-belay, depending on the section.

The main floor is occupied by bouldering walls with a vast amount of space dedicated to housing hundreds of people at a time without feeling cramped. The Bouldering Corral features a wall that provides a varying terrain, with some sections allotting climbers the capability of topping-out to the mezzanine lounge area upstairs.

My two favorite noteworthy features of the gym are the Future Wall and the Thunder Dome, as they are both remarkably one-of-a-kind. The Future Wall is a reconfigurable wall that the gym has built around as a focal point. The engineering enables setters to continually change the landscape of the wall and thereby alter the types of bouldering problems that the gym can offer to climbers. Infinite variability is possible, and this is especially exciting when considering how that impacts competitions Crux Climbing Center will hold in the future.

The Thunder Dome as a bouldering cave is a beautiful space that has two major pros: it’s open 24/7 if you subscribe to the More Awesome Membership option, and you can hook up your own music to jam in the cave. “They’ve created a space that people want to come to that goes beyond just training and inspires you to climb more. It’s very inviting, has a great lounge space, and the people, environment and high-end factor is well-considered,” said Grace Nicholas, Crux’s Community Manager.

Party Space, Yoga Studio, Workout Room and Lounge

There is a separated kids area titled the Panda-Monium Room, which is intended for the twelve and under crowd of young climbers. It’s a space designed for birthday parties and big events and features not only climbing, but also a slide and fireman’s pole to keep attendees well-entertained for hours.

Upstairs sits the fitness area that is well-stocked with strength training and cardio equipment and a lounge area to read, work and hang out. You can also use the gorgeously simple, open yoga studio that faces the pond and street below. Check the schedule online for class variety and times.

Creating Camaraderie Beyond Climbing

Setter Showdown Crowd at Crux Climbing Center

Hundreds of people came to Crux Climbing Center for Setter Showdown on Opening Day (Credit: Merrick Ales)

Beyond climbing, Crux Climbing Center’s staff hopes to take events to the next level as they transform the gym into a community space catering to various interests, more than solely a climbing gym. The Community Manager is planning to host events such as an upcoming mural night for artists to have their work produced and featured as patrons climb and music spins. Other activities include morning coffee gatherings, date nights for parents, dog play dates and weekly wine nights.

They are just getting started. “A big part of Matt and I’s dream is to just keep reinvesting in the community. That’s why we opened it. We’re looking toward getting to a point where every week we have one to three events and, hopefully, we just keep expanding. We want to bring as many people in this gym from as many walks of life as possible,” said Goradia.

Crux Climbing Center is located on 121 Pickle Road off South Congress. For more information and updates on Crux Climbing Center, visit their website, Instagram and Facebook.

Derrington Building Studio is located on 2400 E Cesar Chavez St, #302. For more information and updates on the studio’s work, visit their website.

 

@lainey_bird_ wants to know:

Where do you climb in Austin?

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: climbing, south austin, south congress, yoga

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Austin Christmas Lights 2023

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!

Hear, hear, the sparkly season is near! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn the Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around. Everyone loves the Zilker Park lights, yet if you want to set forth on an illuminated adventure beyond these famous Austin holiday lights, read […]

11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of November 24, 2023 include Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and More!

11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of November 24, 2023 include Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of November 24 which include the Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, The Annual Lighting of the Square, Black Friday Sip + Shop, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may […]

Thanksgiving 2023 Austin Events

Thanksgiving 2023 Austin Events – Enjoy These 10 Things to Do, Activities, & More!

Thanksgiving 2023 is just around the corner, and Austin, Texas, is gearing up for a season brimming with festivities, warmth, and community spirit. As we anticipate the joyous celebrations, let’s embrace the essence of Thanksgiving in Austin – a blend of traditional feasts, holiday cheer, and memorable moments with loved ones. Whether you’re a local […]

Veterans Day Events Austin 2023

Veterans Day Events Austin 2023 – Parades, Concerts, and Other Celebrations Near You!

This Veterans Day, honor the valiant hearts who served in the US Armed Forces with a grand salute! The city is set to showcase a spectacular lineup of Veterans Day events in 2023, making it the centerpiece of the city’s annual celebrations. Whether you’re searching for ‘Veterans Day events near me’ or ‘veteran events near […]

Winter Camp Austin 2023 - Your Guide to Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!

Winter Camp Austin 2023 – Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!

Editor’s Note: We are getting started with our process of compiling our comprehensive guide on Winter Camps in Austin for 2023! We will be making updates to this article on a regular basis. So please bookmark and check back in!  Winter Camps Austin – Explore, Learn, and Grow! Austin becomes a playground of wonder and […]

Recent Posts

  • Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!
  • Christmas tree lighting Austin 2023 Events & Ceremonies to Watch!
  • Planning Your Black Friday in Austin – When to Shop Where And Maximize Shopping Deals
  • Everything you need for Thanksgiving 2023 in Austin – Things to do, Where to Eat, Where to Shop & more!
  • Best Deals on Thanksgiving Meals in Austin 2023 – Where to Dine & Save This Holiday!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): Floppy Disk Repair Co.
  • The Complete Guide to Austin’s Moonlight Towers
  • Winter Camp Austin 2023 – Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!
  • Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!
  • Birthday Freebies Austin 2023 – List of Over 45 Best Restaurants, Food Places, & Stores with Birthday Month Deals Near You

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

x
x