[JAM]

Was at the Austin Art Night AMLI II after party last night. The night view from the pool level area is spectacular. I didn't realize the building has two sections with the pool area in the middle. The two sections rise up to create a lot of drama with nice clean lines as you gaze out on the horizon. The middle area where the pool is located seems to dissapear where the edge of the building meets the horizon. Obviously a lot of thought was put into the design. Wish I had a photo to share. Very cool indeed!

[ATXboom]

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_Downtown/index.html

New: Austonian Listings Added to AustinTowers.net
February 24, 2008 09:11 Filed in: Development Watch
The Austonian is one of the most luxurious and desirable downtown projects currently under development. With an unusually secretive sales process, details on pricing and sales have been hard to come by.

Over the last few weeks, many new details have become public as the project has begun to list a small number of unsold units on the Austin Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Starting today, we have added these listings to the AustinTowers Listings page. The new Austonian Listings can be found here.

The 4 listied units (as well as a fifth on the Gottesman Residential site) show a broad range of prices for units, with the highest prices rightfully reserved for the units on the highest floors. The prices for listed units range from $559,000 to $1,855,000 for units ranging from 1,221 to 3,129 square feet. What the units have in common is that they are in an exclusive building with super-high-end finish out, appliances, and building amenities.

One of the most interesting details to emerge is the variance in pricing on a per square foot basis from unit to unit. For the five listed units, price per square foot varies from $458 / Square Foot to a whopping $830 / Square Foot for Unit 41Q, a 2,235 square foot 2 bedroom unit on the 41st floor.

The following new renderings provide an interesting glimpse into the the planned Austonian interiors:

[greenbelt]

:previous: austintowers.net is a GREAT site!!! My first time there. Like the interactive maps and how each tower gets it's own informative page.

[bigdogc]

I would love to say low priced housing is a good thing but in downtown it is not possible the green water treatment plant is now very likely to be very ugly & very short this will prove to be a very very bad move but hopefully I am wrong.
agreed.

[priller]

A few photos from walking around this afternoon -- 2/24

Altavida:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2289869432_b4bcf1d9fa_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2289871758_b5a16c316e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/2289873972_383f6ca399_o.jpg


360:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2289081447_065ca73042_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2289081115_83f929afab_o.jpg


The Sabine (and no, we're still not moved in yet):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2289078639_712aeb3480_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2289870578_3b5decb8c0_o.jpg


Legacy, Milago, Shore

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2289078983_2c7c61f355_o.jpg


Random shots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2289873608_bb2124708e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2289081799_12cc8a334e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2289082175_6f17ed0131_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2289872018_038ca8f50c_o.jpg

Don't know if I've ever seen a waterfall in a parking garage before:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2289869158_2e3729c082_o.jpg

This is not something you see every day. This hawk had just grabbed a pigeon and landed right in front of us, on the corner of 6th and Red River:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2289079653_cac3b8412e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/2289080135_f63cdb2c61_o.jpg

[LoneStarMike]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2289081799_12cc8a334e_o.jpg




Loved the dogs! :)

BTW, I noticed on the above pic the website for the W project. I don't think I've seen that particular site before.

http://www.block21residences.com/

If you go there, and click on "residences" then "views" there's 360 panoramic views from Floors 36, 30, 25 & 19. They're already outdated - you can tell by 360 and Alta Vida - but they're still pretty sweet.

[Saddle Man]

Gotta love those hawks. If I were building a highrise/skyscraper in downtown Austin, I'd make nesting areas for hawks on higher ledges. So badass.

[427MM]

A few photos from walking around this afternoon -- 2/24



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/2289873972_383f6ca399_o.jpg


Great shot! There’s nothing better than just leaving the car behind and hanging out on 2nd Street. Priller, great batch of pics. Thanks!

[KevinFromTexas]

Great pics. Nice catch with the hawk photos. I was downtown today also taking pictures, though I mostly stayed along the hike and bike trail. I hung around after dark to watch the bats come out.

Man, I was standing on the bridge, along with about 30 other people, and we hear this motorcycle screaming up Congress. I turned around to see a guy on a bike doing a wheelie in the right lane doing about 50 mph. :stunned:

The city was beautiful tonight. I noticed the new lighting design on the Hyatt. I really like it. And I noticed two decorative lights on The Shore. Those apparently are the decorative lights, because in the blueprints it shows "light box" near the top on the side of the mechanical penthouse. I have to say, I wasn't impressed though. But I LOVED the way the setting sun looked on the building's facade. I also observed a welder working on 360's spire. Kinda scary, because that hotel/casino fire in Las Vegas recently was started by a welder on the roof. A few times I watched embers falling down from 360's roof.

2nd Street looks wicked.

[dvddvd]

the two decorative lights on the shore are as dull and unimmaginative as you can get. you can't tell if they are decorative or if they are simply coming out of a bright unit. ha. that lighting will probably be one of the first hoa issues because i don't think anyone will be happy with them. as they are now ... they easily provide more distraction and questions than asthetics.

[priller]

If you go there, and click on "residences" then "views" there's 360 panoramic views from Floors 36, 30, 25 & 19. They're already outdated - you can tell by 360 and Alta Vida - but they're still pretty sweet.

Those are some really nice views. But for the people facing east, especially, that view will change completely over the next several years -- Altavida, Austonian, Marriott, Westin, 21c, T. Stacey office and hotel/condo, and maybe a little of Four Seasons peeking out for those higher up. And a good thing, too. Those views show you how much of downtown is still surface lots. :yuck:

Hopefully the W will break ground pretty soon. They need to get after it. :whip: :whip:

[priller]

Loved the dogs! :)

The two brown dogs were Rhodesian ridgebacks, with the stripe of "backwards" hair running down their spine. Should have gotten a picture of that.

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg

[Dale]

What's holding up the W ? Just permitting ?

[Complex01]

Very Nice. Nice Hawk, it was kewl...

:wizard:

[shanny]

i wonder why the media hasnt picked up on the T Stacy story? Seems kind of odd to me. :shrug:

[Greggklar]

I suspect the media will run with the t-stacy project once they have a rendering.

[Greggklar]

What's holding up the W ? Just permitting ?

I believe that was the issue which should have been resolved by now.........?

[MichaelB]

The two brown dogs were Rhodesian ridgebacks, with the stripe of "backwards" hair running down their spine. Should have gotten a picture of that.

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg

I swear we were on the same path yesterday.... those dogs were on 2nd or 3rd? I played with them!

[KevinFromTexas]

The two brown dogs were Rhodesian ridgebacks, with the stripe of "backwards" hair running down their spine. Should have gotten a picture of that.

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/images/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg

Yeah, my mom and sister show Miniature Poodles which are the mid-sized poodles. I've gone along to the dog shows and have seen the Rhodesian Ridgebacks there before. Really beautiful dogs. An interesting fact about them is that they were originally bred in Africa to fight off lions. Hunters would use the dogs to keep the lions away while they prepared to shoot the lion. They also doubled of course as a guard to their villages. Pretty amazing when you think about it. They're also known as African Lion Hounds or dogs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback

[GoldenBoot]

What's holding up the W ? Just permitting ?

I believe that was the issue which should have been resolved by now.........?

Their zoning change request was approved on Jan. 31, 2008 and the resulting change in zoning (i.e., new ordianance) became effective on Feb. 11, 2008. They are currently awaiting final site plan approval before building permits can be released by the city.

Nothing out of the ordinary is occuring with this case; and thus, there shouldn't be anything to worry about in regards to this project getting off the ground.

[priller]

I swear we were on the same path yesterday.... those dogs were on 2nd or 3rd? I played with them!

Wow, we must have just missed each other.

[Dale]

Their zoning change request was approved on Jan. 31, 2008 and the resulting change in zoning (i.e., new ordianance) became effective on Feb. 11, 2008. They are currently awaiting final site plan approval before building permits can be released by the city.

Nothing out of the ordinary is occuring with this case; and thus, there shouldn't be anything to worry about in regards to this project getting off the ground.

Sounds great!

[dvddvd]

i took a closer look at those two "light boxes" on the shore. the boxes are located directly above the penthouse balconies and they do not have a bottom to them. the light makes it's way down onto the balcony's walls, floor, and railing. i think the developer currently has them turned on, but that they will ultimately be controlled by those units.

they still look terrible.

[Jdawgboy]

They had a segment about the downtown building boom on KVUE tonight, but they messed up on the height of the Austonian. They mentioned it at 780' not 683'.

[Greggklar]

I cought that too!

[KevinFromTexas]

That height's wrong though. As I mentioned in the compilation thread, the vice president of the company that is developing the building emailed me himself and told me that it'll be 682 feet, 11 inches tall.

[427MM]

Nothing out of the ordinary is occuring with this case; and thus, there shouldn't be anything to worry about in regards to this project getting off the ground.

Ah, GoldenBoot. Your calmness sooths me.

This building fills my dreams at night, I can't wait for it to 'really' break ground.

[DougRockstead]

1) Driving in this morning I noticed I can get a glimpse of the Legacy starting to poke up over the treetops while sitting at the light (northbound) at the intersection of Bluebonnet and Lamar.

2) I made my turn onto 6th heading towards Mopac from Lamar this AM and noticed in my mirror that the skyline looks great from that angle in the morning. Any chance any photogs out there can get some morning shorts (8-ish) from that area (lamar and 6th.. or maybe a little further west.. not too far... )

3) I also noticed that there are some great views of the buildings while driving down Lamar, South congress and South First. At certain points as you come around curves you'll get straight shots for a bit of buildings like the 360 and Frost Bank to name a few.

4) I guess the Diagram page needs to be updated and the T Stacy building needs to be removed...since the rendering is sure to change.. as well as the stats for the proposed building.

5) Ok now that T Stacy's building has seen new life, any news on CLB partner's 7Rio? I haven't heard anything on that. Or for that matter, Aquaterra (I think it died) the other building going up near the Hyatt.. and I can't remember the name of that one... I think it's pretty safe to assume that we'll see, the W, Four Seasons, and 21C. I know that we have a couple of new projects with AMOA and T Stacy... but there are several others that haven't seen much news at all.

[J.Dskyhigh]

So is the 501 congress officially approved? From sources Ive been reading lately it is, and when is its completion date cause emporis says 2008 but emporis sometimes is a little outdated. Someone a little help here.:shrug:

[shanny]

in the statesman article today..."We're trying to be very careful and thoughtful how we develop this block because it truly is a gem of Austin," Stacy said.

hes sticking to this guns..sounds like he really wants this project completed. he wants his building to be the tallest in the city.

[ATXboom]

^^^ Not sure about 7rio... I think it is on hold.

I am waiting to hear about Ovation and 21C ground breaking announcements/site prep in March. I imagine W will actually break in March as well.

7 rio would be the only "delayed" or haulted project thus far, but is still planning to go forward in the future [1-3 years].

Aquaterra is completely gone.

[ATXboom]

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/02/26/0226stacy.html


Stacy plans 2 towers downtown
New project revised after purchase of land
By Shonda Novak

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF


Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Austin developer Tom Stacy has revised plans for his mixed-use project at Congress Avenue and Fifth Street downtown, with the latest incarnation featuring two towers, including a 66-story hotel/condominium that would be the skyline's tallest.

Stacy doesn't have a time frame for starting the hotel/condo tower or a 32- to 33-story office/retail tower.

But Stacy says the office tower would probably come first, with construction possibly starting in late 2009 and the building opening in late 2011 or early 2012.

In addition, Stacy and his financial partner, Walton Street Capital, have hired Holliday Fenoglio Fowler LP to help recruit a national developer to partner with them.

Stacy said he changed course because he and Walton Street now own the entire block bounded by Congress, Fifth, Sixth and Brazos streets.

In May 2007, Stacy and Walton bought most of the land beneath Littlefield Mall at Sixth and Brazos, though not the improvements.

Then in December, Stacy and Walton bought the remaining Littlefield land, as well as the buildings.

"That's what enables us to replan the project and split the uses into two towers," Stacy said.

Both towers would sit atop an eight-story parking garage. Stacy also hopes to start building a nearby 1,200-space garage in June.

Stacy said the condo/hotel would have 300 hotel rooms and 200 condominium units in a tower rising 820 feet.

The office tower would be built where a four-story Bank of America annex now sits and would be about 420 feet, taller than the adjacent 26-story Bank of America tower on the block.

The new towers would be connected through the shared parking garage. When Stacy originally announced his plans in December 2004, he envisioned a single 57-story tower with a mix of uses. Later, he simplified the plan, eliminating a hotel and apartments and concentrating on an office, retail and condominium project.

The architectural firm of Pelli Clarke Pelli is designing the new project, Stacy said.

Stacy put the project's price tag at $500 million, which includes his purchase of the existing Bank of America tower. The new towers would total about 1.1 million square feet of space.

"We're trying to be very careful and thoughtful how we develop this block because it truly is a gem of Austin," Stacy said.

The new plan improves Stacy's chances of pulling off the project, said Charles Heimsath, a real estate consultant who has worked with Stacy.

"If you're able to parse off individual land uses in a large mixed-use project, then it gives those individual land uses a higher probability of getting started," Heimsath said

Bob Albanese, Stacy's former construction manager, said, "Tom's sitting on a perfect piece of property. Now he's got a chance to do a ... landmark project in downtown Austin."

snovak@statesman.com; 445-3856

[Jdawgboy]

That artical gave out alot more specifics this time. 66 floors instead of 70 height of 820. They also did give a height for the office tower with 32 to 33 floors at 420. We know who will be designing the tower again... And alittle more specifics on the timeframe we are looking at. I guess we will see the begining of construction in June for the parking garage. I really hope Pelli Clarke Pelli does a nice job with this project. The origional design for 5th at Congress and the Museum tower just don't do it for me at all. Interesting that they mentioned that the origional tower was to be 57 stories when origionally it was announced at 47 stories.

[Dale]

420' at 33 stories seems a little short for an office tower. Maybe this excludes any sort of ornamental top, if indeed there is to be one.

[KevinFromTexas]

3) I also noticed that there are some great views of the buildings while driving down Lamar, South congress and South First. At certain points as you come around curves you'll get straight shots for a bit of buildings like the 360 and Frost Bank to name a few.

If you go back and look several pages back in the Texas section, I did a photo thread and I took several pictures from North and South Lamar.


4) I guess the Diagram page needs to be updated and the T Stacy building needs to be removed...since the rendering is sure to change.. as well as the stats for the proposed building.

I'm working on that. I'm the editor for Austin at Emporis. I added the building the day the articles came out. The reason for the wait on adding it to the first page of the compilation thread here, is that I'm waiting for Emporis to update their Austin page so that I can link back to it. The way their website works is when an editor adds something, the page has to be "rendered" so that the public can see it. Basically Emporis functions as two separate websites, one that the editors use to add to it, and the other one which is what the public sees. And I just checked, and they've updated the Austin page. So I'll get it added shortly.

So is the 501 congress officially approved? From sources Ive been reading lately it is, and when is its completion date cause emporis says 2008 but emporis sometimes is a little outdated. Someone a little help here.

I'm not sure. I think they will probably have to go back for more approval since the project has changed greatly. Am I correct on this, Goldenboot? I would assume they'd have to get some kind of site plan approval. Plus they need their construction permits.

As for Emporis and the outdated start and completion numbers on some of the proposed buildings, some of those dates that are outdated are what I had read in newspaper articles for each project. If the date is outdated that just means there hasn't been an updated date yet.

I try to keep things updated as they come out, so if something is outdated it may be that there hasn't been any further news about it.

Interesting that they mentioned that the origional tower was to be 57 stories when origionally it was announced at 47 stories.

I noticed that too. I had never heard 57 floors. So if it is true, then the media must have known something we didn't. All I heard was 680 feet and 41 floors, then "at least" 705 feet and 47 floors.

One thing with the height of that office building, 420 feet with 30 to 33 floors. I'm worried that sounds like it'll have a flat roof. Of course things are still early, so it could go higher. Frost Bank Tower without its crown is 424 feet to the main roof and 442 feet to the mechanical penthouse. Since both are office towers, I would imagine they'd be similar in structural design and layout. I'd really like to see these two new towers compliment each other. Not exact twins, but have similar design elements. And, and, put a crown on it! :banana:

[shanny]

my guess is that its going to look just like the bank of america building, but taller and with blueish glass (like the original design).

[austintilIdie]

So the ultimate gem of Stacy's project will border 6th st. and Brazos... Not quite the 'Main and Main' billing he set out with, but yet it is still right in the middle of downtown...that and the final product should have a commanding presence.

[Strayone]

It's a nice surprise to hear of Stacey's new direction. An 800 footer would be shocking if you ask me. I flew out of Mpls today and had a great view of the DT. It has the big 3... IDS, Wells Fargo and the one the locals call the Stanley Cup building. Great skyline, balanced and dense. I lived in Mpls when the WF building was going up and agree with Kevin it is a a fine building. Pelli will do us justice, hell it would have to compete with the Frost in design if it were to hope to be iconic. If Austin surpassed the height of the the Twin cities tallest (minus the tower on the IDS) it would be amazing. Keep in mind Austins "metro population" is not that of many cities metro pops with taller buildings yet we do have a larger municipal population. It would amaze me if we just jumped past the 700 ft range and went into the 8oo's! I would like to see someone do a mock up other than Frost (Shanny - very cool) of what that height would look like.

[greenbelt]

Check out the following link. It's not Austin, but maybe we could get one of these world class towers one day --> arabian mega skyscrapers :rolleyes: http://www.oobject.com/category/arabian-mega-skyscrapers/

[ATXboom]

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=201511

South by Southwest festival helps fuel Austin economy
2/27/2008 9:52 PM
By: Heidi Zhou


SXSW brings in more than $100 million annually.
The music brings the money, and now economists say they know exactly how much.

The South by Southwest festival that starts at the Austin Convention Center generates $110 million, but no single group reaps all of the rewards.

Vanessa Vaughn of Hostel International Austin said she sees enough of it to get her youth hostel over the hump each March.

"People start booking a year in advance," Vaughn said. "We've been booked for a waiting list for about 3 months."


Like most other lodging places, Hostel International gets the most business during SXSW.

Festival organizers said they're pleased.

"It's nice to be part of an event that brings that kind of money to the city to fuel the economy," Mike Shea of SXSW said.

This fuel has now been quantified by Austin's Angelou Economics.

"One hundred ten million dollars in Austin's $60 billion economy is not a huge number, one might think," Angelos Angelou of Angelou Economics said. "But $110 million means a lot for the next 10 days."

The 10-day festival rakes in $18 million in food and drink, $12 million in hotels and $7 million in transportation.

In all, festival attendees shell out almost $80 million each year.

Vaughn said the festival makes her a proud Austin resident.

"During SXSW, I just feel so proud to live here and proud to be part of it and proud to have an organization that supports people coming here," Vaughn said.

People come from all corners of the world, to get a taste of the best of Austin.

[matthew2109]

Check out the following link. It's not Austin, but maybe we could get one of these world class towers one day --> arabian mega skyscrapers :rolleyes: http://www.oobject.com/category/arabian-mega-skyscrapers/

yeah not going to happen

[hookem]

Check out the following link. It's not Austin, but maybe we could get one of these world class towers one day --> arabian mega skyscrapers :rolleyes: http://www.oobject.com/category/arabian-mega-skyscrapers/

Houston will likely be the first to get one of these, with the Dubai investment company getting ready to develop some land there...

[Jdawgboy]

I was out downtown lastnight and I noticed they have started demolishing the Old Bitter End building.

[ATXboom]

^^^ Wow... Hopefully that is a sign of how fast this Westin will go up!

[mars-man]

Lots of good times there. R.I.P. Sledgehammer stout and red-pepper hummus...

[Wattleigh]

Houston will likely be the first to get one of these, with the Dubai investment company getting ready to develop some land there...

... and it is the site with the rumoured 80 story office & 50 story residential projects.

Just sayin. It's still a ways off from any official announcement, much less groundbreaking.

Regardless, it is impressive to see the bar being raised so consistently in Austin these days when it comes to height in the DT skyline. I'd love to check it out sometime!

[Strayone]

The Stacey project will have a nice effect in the DT core, it will add a nice dense pocket in the heart of the city. My head is swimming with visions of what it will look like. It will seem like an eternity if the timeline is 2 to 3+ years. I can't wait for the renderings.

[Concept]

The Stacey project could change everything in Austin. Skyline wise. But it's a long, long way off.

[austin242]

If the T stacy buildings rendering is better than the orignal which was the best looking proposal in my opinion then we have a winner.:yes:

[KevinFromTexas]

Actually T. Stacy's project is already about 4 years old. So I would give it 2 years maximum until we can expect to see at least part of it break ground. Remember the 30-story Museum Tower (also an office tower) ~8 blocks away is supposed to break ground next year. That would put that building at 2011 for its completion (quote from the Business Journal). That would give that project a year's start on gathering tenants before T. Stacy's 30-story office tower got underway. As for the taller residential and hotel tower. There's a shortage of hotel rooms in downtown Austin. So that part is needed. And for condos, again 2 years out for ground breaking would put it far enough out from the opening of the current projects and even some that will break ground next year that it could fill up. The issue isn't can the developers fill those buildings, it's can they get financing. That's going to be the deciding factor in whether or not they break ground.

[Goothrey]

Somebody should take some pics of downtown at night with the new AMLI II green light. Or perhaps somebody has a picture already? Green is a nice addition in my opinion.

[KevinFromTexas]

^ The only one I've seen posted so far was this one by KCgridlock. (He did an aerial photo tour).

I saw it from the east last Sunday. I would have gone over for a picture, but my battery died. Even from the east you could see the light. It sort of glows green.
http://www.urban-photos.com/gallery/albums/city_galleries/austin/austin_03_8241.jpg

[Goothrey]

O nice. Looks bigger on the Lamar bridge.

[KevinFromTexas]

The City of Austin is looking into installing 32 LED "countdown" crosswalk lights at a few intersections in downtown. San Antonio has these and I really like them.

URBAN AFFAIRS
New crosswalk signals urged for downtown
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/28/0228urban.html

Update here with other city council actions on Thursday.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/29/0229council.html

[shanny]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2287967884_36acd4af60_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/epyonmx/2287967884/sizes/l/

[JAM]

The City of Austin is looking into installing 32 LED "countdown" crosswalk lights at a few intersections in downtown. San Antonio has these and I really like them.

URBAN AFFAIRS
New crosswalk signals urged for downtown
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/28/0228urban.html

Update here with other city council actions on Thursday.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/29/0229council.html

I can't tell you how happy I am that they are looking into this. I actually listed this as an item for improvement during the last downtown survey. This is a huge step in making our downtown more pedestrian friendly.

http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/pworks/engine/trafsaf/signal/images/count.gif

[AustinBob]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2287967884_36acd4af60_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/epyonmx/2287967884/sizes/l/

This might have been talked about before, but what's up with that little strip of red light on the side of 100 Congress? When they first put it up, it changed colors but for several months now it's been red. Do you think maybe they're testing the lighting system they plan to put on Altavida?

[paulsjv]

Seeing all these photos I really need to get my film camera out and finish off the role that has been in it for over 2 years. I just don't have a tripod for those night shots so I'll have to come up with something.

Great shots though!!

[matthew2109]

I can't tell you how happy I am that they are looking into this. I actually listed this as an item for improvement during the last downtown survey. This is a huge step in making our downtown more pedestrian friendly.

http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/pworks/engine/trafsaf/signal/images/count.gif

We got some of these and boy are they very helpful

[Saddle Man]

This might have been talked about before, but what's up with that little strip of red light on the side of 100 Congress? When they first put it up, it changed colors but for several months now it's been red. Do you think maybe they're testing the lighting system they plan to put on Altavida?

I've wondered that myself.

[ATXboom]

Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:05 PM CST
$120M condo project near Zilker OK'd
Austin Business Journal

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/02/25/daily41.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Final approval on Thursday from the Austin City Council has paved the way for construction to start on the BartonPlace condo project.

The $120 million, 270-unit development will go up at 1600 Barton Springs Road. Constructive Ventures -- the group behind such projects as Saltillo Lofts, 2124 and Este -- has partnered with Austin restaurateur Rick Engel on this latest endeavor.

Construction should begin within 30 days on BartonPlace, which has already generated $40 million in presales.

The development team has signed a private agreement with the Zilker Neighborhood Association limiting the development of the portion of the property that fronts Barton Springs Road in order to preserve the local businesses that make up Austin's "Restaurant Row." The developers are also pledging a $500,000 cash contribution for a local nonprofit to provide affordable housing in the area, and will be aim to meet a 3-star green building standard.

"From the very beginning our team felt a strong sense of responsibility to redevelop this property in a way that I hope will be emulated by others who also care about preserving Austin's unique character and culture," says Engel. "I think BartonPlace does that, and we're very proud that the City Council agrees."

The project is being designed by BokaPowell Architects and construction financing is being provided by IBC Bank.

[priller]

Here's some info from the BokaPowell web site:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2300772486_931450d670_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2300772490_3440662dd4_o.jpg

[paulsjv]

this is the place where they bought out the rv park right?

[Greggklar]

You got it!

[KevinFromTexas]

This might have been talked about before, but what's up with that little strip of red light on the side of 100 Congress? When they first put it up, it changed colors but for several months now it's been red. Do you think maybe they're testing the lighting system they plan to put on Altavida?

I'm not sure what those strange lights are for on 100 Congress. But I can say this, they have nothing to do with Altavida. I've noticed those funny lights on 100 Congress for years. Also I would expect some kind of flood lighting on Altavida, not neon or trim lighting.

[priller]

I was thinking it will probably be a long time before we see any renderings for the new T. Stacy towers, and I was sick at home and bored, so I thought I would come up with my own attempt at what they might look like. No, I didn't make them up myself, these are based on other Pelli buildings. And there were also some Google Earth models handy, so I took them and modified them a bit to fit into our block.

The shorter office building I based on 181 W Madison in Chicago. The original is much taller than the 420' proposed for Austin's tower, so I simplified it a little bit, in addition to changing the overall height.

The tall tower is based on 731 Lexington in NYC, also known as the Bloomberg tower. It's also a mixed-use tower, very tall and thin, just about the same height as the one proposed for us. It took little work to fit it in.

Of course, the real ones will probably look nothing like this, but it was fun to speculate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2300722771_25e6ba1fd7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/2300722775_61acbf826b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2300722773_f226345889_o.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

Fantastic! Good choice with the 181 W. Madison from Chicago. That's actually something I'd like to see with this project. Something with setbacks like that, but maybe with a little more interesting top. That's some pretty hefty density on the east side of Congress there!

[427MM]

Here's some info from the BokaPowell web site:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2300772486_931450d670_o.jpg


Great project! This, along with Zilker Place, is really going to up the pedestrian experience along Barton Springs. I know many thought the RV park was quintessential Austin, but think about the incredible investment and new tax dollars for the city. This project is even bigger than Spring. It’s really going to be exciting to watch the area just south of the lake. Over the next ten years or so, the area stretching from Barton Creek all the way to Pleasant Valley should go through an radical transformation.

[427MM]

Oh man, Priller—I had to change my pants!

Let us hope that this time around we have less hype and more action. Too bad the part they are focusing on first is the 1200 space garage. Ugh…

[austin242]

To me I got used to all the tree's on barton so seeing one chopped down makes me very sad :(

And incase your wondering yes I am a tree hugger.

[KevinFromTexas]

There's actually two separate RV parks right next to each other there. So this condo project will only take out one of them. I believe the other one, the Pecan Grove RV Park, is protected somehow by either the city or the state. That is supposedly one of the only pecan groves of its kind in the state. Some of the trees there are way over 100 years old and reach 70 to 80 feet in height. Even with this project there it's not going to tower over the area. Some of the trees surrounding it will be taller than the buildings are.

[greenbelt]

The tall tower is based on 731 Lexington in NYC, also known as the Bloomberg tower. It's also a mixed-use tower, very tall and thin, just about the same height as the one proposed for us. It took little work to fit it in.

Great work Priller. You should be sick and stay at home more often. :slob:
Kidding of course on the sick, hope you're feeling better!! Really like this tall tower, so much more dramatic than the original T-Stacy on Congress.

[JRCool]

I'm curious, why do you think those 3 blocks on the west side of congress aren't being used? All three of them have parking lots on them, which is never a good use of space, especially in the very center of downtown. You would think with all the development going on, those would be prime spots, and would be snatched up. Is something already planned for at least one of those spots and I'm just forgetting about it?

[Jdawgboy]

I'm curious, why do you think those 3 blocks on the west side of congress aren't being used? All three of them have parking lots on them, which is never a good use of space, especially in the very center of downtown. You would think with all the development going on, those would be prime spots, and would be snatched up. Is something already planned for at least one of those spots and I'm just forgetting about it?


I would assume that eventually those lots will be developed. Im not sure who owns them but I can say they are not going to stay paved parking lots forever.

Wow Priller those are nice renderings. I almost freaked out thinking that those were the actual designs of the buildings and I somehow missed hearing they were released LOL. It does seem like it will be awhile before we see these towers rise but between now and then we have plenty of towers to watch go up including the Austonian wich is my favorite for now.

[priller]

The Westin Hotel is going on one of those parking lots. I have to think it's just a matter of time before the others will be built on.

[Strayone]

Priller you're sick...I mean the renderings are sick, good use of your time while under the weather.

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm curious, why do you think those 3 blocks on the west side of congress aren't being used? All three of them have parking lots on them, which is never a good use of space, especially in the very center of downtown. You would think with all the development going on, those would be prime spots, and would be snatched up. Is something already planned for at least one of those spots and I'm just forgetting about it?

Yeah, there's a new Westin Hotel planned for the block at 3rd & Congress. It'll be 18 floors with 300 rooms. It's going to be replace the Bitter End Bistro, demolition is already taking place.

[southsideatx04]

Yeah, there's a new Westin Hotel planned for the block at 3rd & Congress. It'll be 18 floors with 300 rooms. It's going to be replace the Bitter End Bistro, demolition is already taking place.

Does anybody have the rendering on the Westin Hotel?

[Jdawgboy]

Is the Westin actually going to front Congress Ave? I thought it was going to be at 3rd and Colorado? Unless they plan to cover over the allyway, I would assume that this hotel will not have any section along Congress wich means that parking lot will still be there. If you look at Prillers first rendering you can see the block where the Westin is supposed to go and you can see where the Bitter End building is. I would think that its only going to be on that southwest corner section.

[ATXboom]

Friday, February 29, 2008
Should it stay or should it go? Starr Building's future debatedAustin Business Journal - by A.J. Mistretta ABJ Staff
Print Article Email Article Reprints RSS Feeds Add to Del.icio.us Digg This

Brett Buchanan
The last tenant to reside in the Starr Building was the Texas Comptroller’s Offi ce.
View Larger When it was constructed in 1955, the American National Bank Building was Austin's first major example of modernist architecture -- and the first building in the city to have an escalator.

A half-century and several tenants later, the days may be numbered for the vacant four-story structure on the southeast corner of Sixth and Colorado streets.

Developers and downtown advocates see incredible value in the property -- if not the building itself -- just one block from the enviable intersection of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue. Yet when it might actually be sold and what could eventually rise there remains uncertain.

The Texas Comptroller's Office -- the last tenant to be housed in what is now known as the Starr Building -- moved out in April 2005, shortly after the building was purchased by the General Land Office on behalf of the state's Permanent School Fund. Since then, the roughly 90,000-square-foot office building and attached 107,000-square-foot garage have sat vacant in the middle of a downtown construction boom.

[ATXboom]

Friday, February 29, 2008
City evaluates ways to fill out 'second downtown' up north
Austin Business Journal - by Jean Kwon ABJ Staff

The city may help pay for roads, utilities and other services for developers who want to build in the North Burnet/Gateway area, dubbed Austin's "second downtown."

City leaders are contemplating the creation of an infrastructure district for the 2,300-acre area north of U.S. 183 bounded by Walnut Creek, Metric Boulevard, Braker Lane and MoPac Expressway. That would give the city the authority to collect sales and property taxes in the area, now zoned mostly industrial, to pay for infrastructure within the district that developers would normally fund. That, say city officials, would lure developers to the area because they could get roads and utilities more cheaply and quickly.

The city, at the same time, could ensure that development occurs in a way that conforms to the city's vision for a dense, mixed-use, urban area, says City Council Member Brewster McCracken. Such incentives would also prevent development from occurring in a piecemeal, incoherent fashion, he says.

According to Molly Scarbrough, a city senior planner, a city infrastructure analysis was conducted for the North Burnet/Gateway area. It looked at existing water and wastewater pipes and whether they are able to handle anticipated development. The study found that the area is adequately equipped but would need tight upgrades within 30 years­ -- the projected timeline for build-out of the second downtown.

[priller]

Developers and downtown advocates see incredible value in the property -- if not the building itself -- just one block from the enviable intersection of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue. Yet when it might actually be sold and what could eventually rise there remains uncertain.

Maybe Tom Stacy can buy it and let it sit for a few years more. :rolleyes:

[LoneStarMike]

Maybe Tom Stacy can buy it and let it sit for a few years more. :rolleyes:

Well, that would give them time to find a new home for the
Seymour Fogel Mural (http://www.arts.state.tx.us/fogelmural/fogel.asp)


There was a recent article in the Austin Chronicle about the mural.

Downtown Mural Awaits a New Home (http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A584381)

[KevinFromTexas]

Is the Westin actually going to front Congress Ave? I thought it was going to be at 3rd and Colorado? Unless they plan to cover over the allyway, I would assume that this hotel will not have any section along Congress wich means that parking lot will still be there. If you look at Prillers first rendering you can see the block where the Westin is supposed to go and you can see where the Bitter End building is. I would think that its only going to be on that southwest corner section.

Lake/Flato's website mentions a hotel project at "3rd & Congress". They're the firm designing the hotel.

http://www.lakeflato.com/

^ Click on the photo on the main page. Then wave your mouse over "Projects" Click on "Hospitality". It's the first on that list "3rd & Congress Hotel". No details, it just mentions it.

[Jdawgboy]

Lake/Flato's website mentions a hotel project at "3rd & Congress". They're the firm designing the hotel.

http://www.lakeflato.com/

^ Click on the photo on the main page. Then wave your mouse over "Projects" Click on "Hospitality". It's the first on that list "3rd & Congress Hotel". No details, it just mentions it.


If they are building it along Congress, why then would they need to demolish the bitter end building at all it has no connection to Congress. Plus this artical in the Statesman mentiontions 3rd and Colorado streets.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/theticker/entries/2008/02/18/westin_hotel_planned_for_downt.html

Westin Hotel planned for downtown Warehouse District
By American Statesman staff | Monday, February 18, 2008, 02:21 PM

A 300-room Westin Hotel is planned for downtown Austin’s Warehouse District, as a San Antonio development firm goes ahead with long-delayed plans.

The 18-story hotel will replace the former Bitter End Restaurant and parking lot at West Third and Colorado streets, said John Beauchamp, vice president of acquisitions and development for Hixon Properties of San Antonio.

[priller]

Well, that would give them time to find a new home for the
Seymour Fogel Mural (http://www.arts.state.tx.us/fogelmural/fogel.asp)


There was a recent article in the Austin Chronicle about the mural.

Downtown Mural Awaits a New Home (http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A584381)


That's very interesting. Thanks for the info!

[priller]

Lake/Flato's website mentions a hotel project at "3rd & Congress". They're the firm designing the hotel.

http://www.lakeflato.com/

^ Click on the photo on the main page. Then wave your mouse over "Projects" Click on "Hospitality". It's the first on that list "3rd & Congress Hotel". No details, it just mentions it.

Maybe it will take up that half of the block, then?

[Jdawgboy]

I guess all our questions will be answered when the renderings of the hotel come out.

[MichaelB]

Well, that would give them time to find a new home for the
Seymour Fogel Mural (http://www.arts.state.tx.us/fogelmural/fogel.asp)


There was a recent article in the Austin Chronicle about the mural.

Downtown Mural Awaits a New Home (http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A584381)

Glad you know about this and brouhgt it back to the attention of the forum. I thought is was slated to be housed in the new courthouse?

OK....just re-read the article..... looks like the negotiations to land it in the courthouse have not been finalized. Hope that happens. It is a cool piece!

[ATXboom]

Westin may take the entire half block.

At 300 rooms a restaruant, bar and decent size meeting space at only 18 floors... I could easily see this being the case. Also factor in parking. It's footprint could be close to the Hilton's.

The real question is where will the front/main entrance be located??

[ATXboom]

New Downtown Affordable Housing Initiative
March 03, 2008 22:56 Filed in: News
As the downtown development boom has driven downtown land and housing prices upwards, the calls have been strengthening for the City to take definitive action on affordable housing o ensure that downtown remains diverse and affordable to as a broad a segment of the population as possible. With the opportunity to control development of a huge swath of downtown land, the City is using its leverage to ensure that the project include affordable housing units.

As part of the initiative, the City is building a comprehensive affordable housing program around the large-scale development of the Green Water Treatment Plant between Seaholm and the second street district. The program has two primary components. First, to ensure that at least 10% of units are affordable to households earning less than $42,000 for a 1-2 person family (80% of the area median income), the City is reducing land prices and requiring developers that developers who want to participate in the project include affordable housing units. Second, the city will dedicate 40% of property taxes generated by the project to a housing fund which will provide subsidies to make additional units affordable.

The City plans to choose a developer in June.

Here is a summary from the Statesman:


City leaders have urged developers to build more affordable housing downtown with little success. Now, Austin plans to put its money where its mouth is with the upcoming sale and redevelopment of the Green Water Treatment Plant and nearby Austin Energy property.Blunting the developers' argument that land and building costs downtown are just too high, city officials plan to give them no choice but to include low- to moderate-priced housing in the redevelopment of the nearly four city blocks and as a result almost certainly will make less on the land sale."We're not in the business of making money," Council Member Brewster McCracken said. "We're in business to achieve public values and goals."The city also plans to directly subsidize additional units for even lower-income families and dedicate 40 percent of the property taxes generated by the redevelopment project to its affordable housing fund."I just think it's an opportunity to have much of both worlds: a lot of tax base delivered, hopefully a significant measurable one-time capital gains in the land sale and then a series of other community goals," Mayor Will Wynn said.

Tags: news, rental, affordable housing

[shanny]

I took a quick walk around town lake this morning...

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077401.jpg

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077410.jpg

Standard issue 360 shots:
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077415.jpg

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077407.jpg

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077421.jpg

Notice the Ron Paul graffiti and the plane towing the Ron Paul banner. :haha:
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077423.jpg

Stevie standing tall...
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077420.jpg

Can you spot the fourth crane?
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077418.jpg

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/307077417.jpg

[bigdogc]

whats wrong with ron paul?!

good pics though!

[austin242]

Great Pics Shanny Funny in the picture of altavida I thought their was two cranes on it because of the Reflection of 100 Congress.

[Dale]

whats wrong with ron paul?!

good pics though!

Ron Paul's a rock star. Do you see any Obama graffitii ? :cool:

[M1EK]

Ron Paul's a rock star. Do you see any Obama graffitii ? :cool:

Ron Paul's a racist crackpot. Seriously.

[shanny]

ohhh im not saying theres anything wrong with ron paul...all i was saying is that it was a funny coincidence that his name was on the bridge and in the sky in the same shot

[paulsjv]

Ron Paul's a racist crackpot. Seriously.
good thing that this is a skyscraper forum and not a political forum. ;)

[M1EK]

A couple of the reactionary old farts who basically run my neighborhood association tried today to rally up a bunch of anger at Trudy's on W 30th for supposedly "building over parkland" (they didn't) and eliminating off-street parking (they've been setting up picnic tables in the roped off tiny lot in front now that they have a new parking arrangement for nights/weekends with an additional lot).

If you enjoy going to Trudy's, stay tuned. I've advised the business that the NA doesn't represent the will of the rank and file on this one (comments on the NUNA list have been about 4-1 in favor of Trudy's; i.e. not just from me) but I expect they'll 'win' because they have the time to waste calling the city and spending all day at meetings (whereas me, Mr. Transit, had a hard time even going to one TWG meeting last week thanks to the Real Job).

Keep this in the back of your head, folks. If they persist, it could get ugly, and Trudy's is going to need you.

[Dale]

Ron Paul's a racist crackpot. Seriously.

And here we have definitive proof of Paul's racism:

http://dynw.com/ronpaulisracist/

*chortles* seriously