While many parts of the country are suffering though a slumping housing market, Austin is set to debut one of its tallest residential projects -- the 360 Condominiums.

From the outset, developers say they wanted to make the 360 Condominiums the tallest project in downtown as well as one of the most affordable.

Austin City Council members have recently pushed for a higher downtown development and currently there are more than 10 condo projects going up across the area.

The 360 project will be one of the first to open, with others expected to follow suit over the next couple of years.

But council members have pushed for something more than just a stretch of residential units -- 360 offers retail shopping, dining, and entertainment on its lower levels.

The mixed-use construction started about two years ago. More than 500 people were employed in its construction, which includes an entire wing dedicated to upscale amenities.

Starting this month, residents will start moving in. Developers say its price range and location could start a trend in downtown living. Units start at $190,000, which is considerably lower than a number of other condo projects currently under construction.

"Unquestionably there was a demand for a more attainably priced product in Austin -- something more Austinites could afford to live in. So my goal was to bring a project to downtown that would fulfill that demand and I think we did that," said Taylor Andrews, 360 project developer.

Council members have offered initiatives for developers that incorporate affordable housing into downtown projects.

Managers of 360 say the first residents could be moving in as early as next week.