In today’s competitive commercial real estate market, tenant experience is a key differentiator—and mobile access control is at the forefront of this evolution. Nowhere is this more evident than at RiverSouth, a premier Class A+ office building in Austin, Texas. Designed as a sculptural landmark welcoming people into the city, RiverSouth embodies excellence—not just in design but also in functionality, innovation, and mobile-first access technology.

At 100% leased, RiverSouth’s success isn’t just about its stunning views and high-end amenities. It’s about delivering a seamless, connected experience that fosters both community and engagement. A critical piece of this experience is mobile access control, ensuring that tenants, employees, and visitors can move securely and effortlessly throughout the building.

The Challenge: A False Start in Mobile Access

From the beginning, the RiverSouth team envisioned a mobile-first access control system to eliminate the need for outdated plastic access cards. However, their initial provider unexpectedly shut down, forcing the building to temporarily revert to legacy credentials. This setback was a challenge for a building dedicated to providing a modern, mobile-first tenant experience.

The Solution: Future-Proofing Access Control with Wavelynx

RiverSouth had already installed Wavelynx Ethos readers, providing the flexibility to pivot to a new mobile access control solution without costly hardware replacements. With a simple software update, RiverSouth seamlessly transitioned to modern mobile credentials, including Employee Badge in Apple Wallet and Corporate Badge in Google Wallet.

This shift delivered:

• A superior tenant experience – Employees and visitors could access the building using their smartphones or smartwatches—no plastic cards required.
• Cost savings and operational efficiency – Avoiding the need for a complete hardware overhaul saved time and money.
• Enhanced security – Mobile credentials are far more secure than traditional plastic cards, significantly reducing risks from lost or cloned credentials.

Seamless Integration with the RiverSouth App

Technology adoption only succeeds when it enhances—not disrupts—existing systems. RiverSouth’s tenant experience app, already central to tenant engagement, easily integrated mobile access control using SwiftConnect’s platform. This integration enabled RiverSouth to enhance access functionality without requiring an entirely new app, maintaining a seamless experience for tenants.

As the first building in the world to simultaneously support both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet credentials, RiverSouth set a new benchmark for modern, technology-enabled office environments.

The Impact: A More Secure, Connected Workplace

The adoption of mobile access control has fundamentally changed how RiverSouth’s tenants and employees engage with their workplace. From Apple Watches to Android smartphones, seamless mobile credentialing ensures frictionless access to the building, enhancing both convenience and security.

More than just a convenience, mobile access control also contributes directly to tenant retention. Forward-thinking, tech-enabled buildings appeal to modern employers looking to create desirable, employee-friendly workplaces. Smart building technology, including frictionless mobile access control, plays a critical role in attracting and retaining top tenants.

Leading the Future of Mobile Access Control

At Wavelynx, we help innovative buildings like RiverSouth transition from legacy access systems to the mobile-first future. Our approach is simple:

• Support legacy credentials to ensure smooth transitions.
• Deliver cutting-edge mobile access control solutions to future-proof buildings and enhance tenant experience.

As commercial real estate evolves, mobile access control will be a defining factor for successful, future-ready buildings. RiverSouth’s journey exemplifies how the right technology partnerships turn challenges into opportunities—creating smarter, safer, and more connected workplaces.

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