The Bowie

UPDATE: I wanted to follow up on my last review. Upon moving out we were charged for a carpet replacement due to a minor stain. This was $500. It's frustrating because the carpet in the apartment was old as heck and we knew the moment we moved out that they were going to try to blame us for them needing to replace the carpet. Indeed, it happened. We owed them $500 even after my security deposit and credit to my account was used. I believe that was about $1k or so. This to me was absurd to see on a final statement. Every other apartment complex I've been to charges for cleaning and takes care of the normal wear and tear themselves. Totally fair. Literally never had a problem like this before so we tried to dispute it. We were met with no response since Oct and then over the holidays found out our credit was dinged bc the balance was sent to collections... no warning and quite quickly to be frank. Maybe that's standard but we felt it unfair as we would have rather negotiated with The Bowie. The management hasn't been helpful in pulling this contract with collections either.. Now, trying to work with the "collections agency" who claimed to be a "contractor".. they screamed at us and hung up on us when we were trying to work with them. lol... The Bowie is the gift that keeps on giving. DON'T EVEN BOTHER MOVING HERE.

I lived in the Bowie for 4 years from September 2021 - October 2025. I would strongly advise against living at this property. While the location is great, the insanity you deal with living here is not remotely worth it. Over the four years I lived here I dealt with gas issues, power issues, gnats, trash issues, unending elevator outages, parking gate outages, no gym access for multiple years, roach infestations, urine soaked carpets in the hallways, a constantly breaking AC unit (maintenance logged over 4 breaks in my unit last summer), the cable / wifi being shut off, and much more. On most occasions the issues lasted for weeks (e.g., elevator issues, power issues), months (e.g., gas issue, gnats / trash issues), and even years in some cases (e.g., gym access). When issues persisted, management did little other than ask us for "patience and understanding" - in most cases there was little to no compensation and little done to ensure the problems would not resurface (hence why so many of the issues have been recurring). The building is showing it's age and the management team frequently displays their incompetence in solving problems. The horrific pipe project this year became the cherry on top of this unenviable experience. Lastly, when it came time to renew this fall, the leasing office gave me a renewal offer that was ultimately over $500 more expensive per month than they eventually leased my unit out for. What a slap in the face for this "valued resident". The leasing office constantly asks for "patience and understanding" but is beyond rude and treats residents like absolute scum. Living here truly began to cost me my mental sanity. I would not recommend living at the Bowie to anyone.

I wasn’t looking for The Bowie—but it ended up being exactly what I was looking for. From the moment I walked in, I could feel the difference. The apartments are modern and thoughtfully designed, with no wasted space. Everything feels intentional and comfortable for real living. (The pool signage feels a bit commercial to me, but that’s a very small detail.) I’m very picky. I’ve lived in New York and Florida, and I don’t leave reviews easily. But this place earned it. I know some people have complained about the leasing office—but in my experience, they always solve problems promptly and professionally. Communication is clear, someone is always available, and I’ve never felt ignored or passed around. Yes, there is construction ongoing to replace the sprinkler system, but my experience during this process was outstanding. When my unit was affected, they provided a fully furnished temporary unit with cookware, essentials, and even detergent—everything ready. It felt like a hotel. When I returned, my apartment was spotlessly clean, down to the corners and closets. I was relaxed within minutes. Anyone can complain when things aren’t perfect—but what matters is how management handles it. The Bowie team handled it exceptionally well. The community here is wonderful—professional, respectful, and friendly. The atmosphere feels calm and very safe. The location is unbeatable: walking distance to restaurants, next to the lake, and surrounded by the energy of Austin. The Lifetime gym membership access is great and adds real value. A great community and a place that feels like home.

UPDATE: Management’s reply is misleading. We have emailed them many times with no response. Water shutoffs lasted over 60 hours, rent credits fell short of Texas law, HVAC outages went longer than claimed, accommodation requests have been ignored, and the addenda they cite is just a boilerplate form, not disclosure of the demolition tenants live through. Original Review: The Bowie is not luxury living. It is a building defined by failure, neglect, and excuses. We are the Bowie Tenants Union, a group of more than 100 current residents who have been forced to organize because The Bowie's management and ownership refuse to take responsibility for the conditions here. What is advertised as a premium high-rise has instead become a case study in mismanagement. Access to basic utilities is unreliable at best. This summer alone, there have been more than 15 separate water shutoffs, many of them announced with less than an hour’s notice or none at all. Management called them "emergencies," but they were preventable failures that left residents without water for more than 60 hours. Each shutoff was followed by the same cycle of hollow emails thanking residents for their "patience" while nothing improved. At first the only concessions were food vouchers, quickly dubbed "apology gyros" by residents. Later management shifted into damage control and began offering three to eight day rent credits. Those credits fell short of statutory minimums required under Texas law for illegal utility shutoffs and at the same time admitted fault, leading several residents to take legal action to recover what they are owed. Water is not the only system that has failed. HVAC outages left the entire building without air conditioning for several days this summer, with many units still experiencing problems. Instead of acknowledging the scope of the breakdowns, management downplayed them as "reduced cooling performance." The water and HVAC failures have fueled broader hazards. Black mold has been documented in apartments, caused by leaks and water damage that are never fully remediated and made worse by lack of air conditioning. Elevators frequently fail, leaving tenants stranded and creating serious ADA and emergency safety concerns. Even the surrounding environment has suffered, with uncollected pet waste from the building flowing into nearby Shoal Creek and spreading the consequences of neglect beyond the property line. On top of everything already mentioned, residents are living through months of disruptive construction for a fire sprinkler repiping project. Hallways and units are torn apart, ceilings demolished, and tenants subjected to constant drilling and cutting noise that carries through multiple floors. This project has dragged on without proper transparency, and for many, without proper accommodations, compounding the daily disruptions. Communication with management and ownership is a dead end. Letters, complaints, and even formal notices go ignored. Residents receive nothing but the same recycled lines of “thank you for your patience” while accountability never arrives. All of this comes at some of the highest rental prices in Austin. Tenants are paying luxury rates for conditions that are unsafe, unhealthy, and constantly disrupted. The promises in the marketing materials are a fiction. The lived reality is water and HVAC outages, mold and health hazards, drilling noise, broken elevators, and management that cannot be trusted. We are writing this review to warn anyone considering signing a lease. Do not be fooled by staged photos and glossy advertising. The Bowie is not a safe or reliable place to live. Until ownership replaces RPM Living and commits to real repairs, this building will remain a danger to its tenants and a blight on the Austin community. This review is not written lightly. It is written because The Bowie has failed its tenants so completely that it is the first and only high rise in Austin where residents have been forced to form a tenants union. That fact speaks louder than any marketing campaign ever could.