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bigdogc
May 23, 2008, 3:51 AM
I went to the 360 opening today, Greg and I were interviewed by some statesmen person. Hopefully at least one of us gets in there for a downtown story. The building looks good, i'll have to post pictures later.

PS- the statesmen lady said they check our forum sometimes for information when they are doing DT construction stories. :haha: we are the "authority" of knowing whats going on in the construction world of austin!

MichaelB
May 23, 2008, 3:58 AM
I was looking at the Seaholm Renderings and was looking at Stratus' proposal and noticed they put in the AMOA Museum tower and what I would think is the Post Office block tower, with of course the W, Altivida, and Austonian. The Post Office seems short but maybe its just the angle. Oh and I did not notice this one till after I labeled it but it looks like the CLB? Building on the east is added in too?

I like the buildings for Stratus proposal, especially the tallest one, nice and different.

What you think?

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1611/stratusrenderinglabeledxq9.jpg

I agree about the tallest building. Looks interesting.... not a box.

And also agree with KingK.... Novare is Novare is Novare. One is enough. Man I wish they would bring a new look into the mix. Would hat to have that whole part of town locked into one look.

priller
May 23, 2008, 4:23 AM
Here are a few photos from the 360 party. We didn't stay very long because the wife wasn't feeling too well and we're leaving for a short vacation early in the morning. And it started to get really crowded. So, not as many photos taken as I would have liked, especially on the inside.

General impression: very nice!

Also, very windy out on the pool deck.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2514784517_a6f8ea5c4e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2514784785_ea3b345045_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/2515610430_532d033581_o.jpg

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/2515611422_e35966b08a_o.jpg


Some views from the pool deck:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2514783815_751e8e05e3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2515609358_d2656169a4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2514785059_f7b04c783d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2515610216_e5d4e98a1f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2514786223_0e89bcc10c_o.jpg

KevinFromTexas
May 23, 2008, 7:04 AM
Had fun tonight at the 360 party. I saw Greg, but no one else. I missed out on getting to the pool deck. Just as I went to the elevators they were already ushering people out.


I swung by city hall this afternoon and took some pics of the models. I'll post them tomorrow. They show some of what's already been posted, but they also showed a bit more of the base of the Stratus project including the area that houses the HEB. That tallest one by Stratus is sweet! Oh man, let Stratus be picked. :fingerscrossed: Absolutely love the design of it.

TXAlex
May 23, 2008, 12:18 PM
Check this out. This iwas in the awesome Strutus Proposal too. I'm thinking this one is going to take a bit of time to go up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2515488284_32eba4ecae_o.jpg

paulsjv
May 23, 2008, 2:01 PM
Cool.. here it is -

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj315/95orange/ovation.jpg

Looks a bit too much like 360.. but with prices starting at $175K, I think Novare will score another sold-out building. The info said construction starting summer '08.

Where is this being built? The post office location?

Raining Inside
May 23, 2008, 3:20 PM
Where is this being built? The post office location?

It's across the street from the post office. The post office tower is scheduled to start in the fall.

shanny
May 23, 2008, 3:20 PM
i was confused about that. does "next" fall mean this fall (2008) or next fall (2009)? Seems a little odd that both ovation and the post office tower would rise at the same time, unless of course financing has been secured for both.

MichaelB
May 23, 2008, 3:24 PM
Had fun tonight at the 360 party. I saw Greg, but no one else. I missed out on getting to the pool deck. Just as I went to the elevators they were already ushering people out.


I swung by city hall this afternoon and took some pics of the models. I'll post them tomorrow. They show some of what's already been posted, but they also showed a bit more of the base of the Stratus project including the area that houses the HEB. That tallest one by Stratus is sweet! Oh man, let Stratus be picked. :fingerscrossed: Absolutely love the design of it.

Great to hear that about the Stratus project.... rendering looks cool....!

MichaelB
May 23, 2008, 3:27 PM
Check this out. This iwas in the awesome Strutus Proposal too. I'm thinking this one is going to take a bit of time to go up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2515488284_32eba4ecae_o.jpg

That is the "Austin City Limits" and W project.... is it not?

paulsjv
May 23, 2008, 4:05 PM
It's across the street from the post office. The post office tower is scheduled to start in the fall.

Is there any information about other floor plans, costs, when they are going to be done building all that kind of stuff would be way useful for me right now. :) I would be very interested in a 2 bedroom place there but I really need to know how much and when they are planning to finish because I'm just about to step into the process of buying a house out inf BFE, which I don't want to do if I can stay in downtown. :)

Raining Inside
May 23, 2008, 4:13 PM
Is there any information about other floor plans, costs, when they are going to be done building all that kind of stuff would be way useful for me right now. :)

The only available info that I know about is on the Andrews Urban website. It was recently updated and says the sales center opens in Spring 2009.

http://www.andrewsurban.com/developments.htm

paulsjv
May 23, 2008, 4:20 PM
The only available info that I know about is on the Andrews Urban website. It was recently updated and says the sales center opens in Spring 2009.

http://www.andrewsurban.com/developments.htm

Thanks a TON! That's pretty nice. I wonder if two years of appreciation on my house will pay off so I can get a 2 bedroom there. hm. Or I may have to wait for the water treatment plant to be redeveloped. I'm for sure keeping my eyes on this one! Woohoo! Already excited. :)

Raining Inside
May 23, 2008, 4:30 PM
Thanks a TON! That's pretty nice. I wonder if two years of appreciation on my house will pay off so I can get a 2 bedroom there. hm. Or I may have to wait for the water treatment plant to be redeveloped. I'm for sure keeping my eyes on this one! Woohoo! Already excited. :)

I'm kind of looking at the Ovation too. I plan to seriously start looking for a place in early 2009 so timing-wise the Ovation looks promising. I am also considering the Green site as a back up, although it would mean waiting a couple more years. I work right next door to the Green site so it would be convenient. I emailed Andrews Urban about two weeks ago seeking more info on the Ovation but never heard back. So I guess they are not interested in sales at this point.

hookem
May 23, 2008, 4:54 PM
Thanks a TON! That's pretty nice. I wonder if two years of appreciation on my house will pay off so I can get a 2 bedroom there. hm. Or I may have to wait for the water treatment plant to be redeveloped. I'm for sure keeping my eyes on this one! Woohoo! Already excited. :)
Not to worry you or anything, but appreciation in houses outside the central part of the city doesn't look very good in the next 2 years. The purchase/sales commission would probably eat up any appreciation over 2 years, at the very least. You might be in better financial shape renting.

paulsjv
May 23, 2008, 5:11 PM
Not to worry you or anything, but appreciation in houses outside the central part of the city doesn't look very good in the next 2 years. The purchase/sales commission would probably eat up any appreciation over 2 years, at the very least. You might be in better financial shape renting.

You maybe right. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Besides with the market the way it has been going who know what will happen in two years time! :D

LoneStarMike
May 23, 2008, 5:21 PM
i was confused about that. does "next" fall mean this fall (2008) or next fall (2009)? Seems a little odd that both ovation and the post office tower would rise at the same time, unless of course financing has been secured for both.

Not to mention the fact that the current post office has to move somewhere else. The city's most current emerging project says construction on a new post office at 9th & Red River is slated to break ground in mid-2008. It would have to be completed, and then the existing post office would have to move and then construction could start on the post office tower. I can't imagine all of that work being done by fall 2008.

Jdawgboy
May 23, 2008, 5:56 PM
Like others have said about Ovation, its very similar to 360's design espeically the base, the color scheme is the same. Change it up people Please!!!!

I do like the Stratus proposal alot as well. It looks like that one tower could be at least as tall as the Austonian. We wouldn't know officially unless we got some more specifics but who thinks it could be over 700 feet???

Raining Inside
May 23, 2008, 6:18 PM
Like others have said about Ovation, its very similar to 360's design espeically the base, the color scheme is the same. Change it up people Please!!!!

I do like the Stratus proposal alot as well. It looks like that one tower could be at least as tall as the Austonian. We wouldn't know officially unless we got some more specifics but who thinks it could be over 700 feet???

The Stratus proposal does say what the height is: 650'/54 floors

Jdawgboy
May 23, 2008, 9:14 PM
Oh, didn't know that. Well goodness is anybody trying to pass 700 feet besides Tom Stacy???

shanny
May 24, 2008, 1:22 AM
That is the "Austin City Limits" and W project.... is it not?

Yes, Stratus purchased Block 21 back in 2006

MichaelB
May 24, 2008, 2:15 AM
Yes, Stratus purchased Block 21 back in 2006

Oh, poop.... you are right....here I was trying to be slighly informative about the "W" and forgot that was stratus as well! Thanks.

Can;t wait to see the project complete... was walking the in-laws by there tonight (everyone wish me luck!) Looked at the model again. Can't wait.

Strayone
May 24, 2008, 5:01 AM
From the not just hearsay dept. A client was in today who will close on a 40ish floor unit in 360 in the early fall. She and her hubby had a great time at the event last night...especially the Music Hall gathering that she said was dominated by chatter (louder than the music) from the soon to be excited owners of units which none of them have actually seen at this time. She was slightly surprised by the pools size, it's a lap pool, not a problem in her words. Ie. It's not a hangout... like I would hope to find. The excitement of being an owner of a unit in the building seems to offset the fact that as she stated "It is really small". I will attend her party in October (yes 4 months from now)and will probably peruse the whole of the structure, top to bottom!
360 seems to be more of an investment for 'some' owners to enjoy for a short time b4 the inevitable time the contract allows it to be sold. I expect many of the proposed/under construction projects will follow a similar pattern. Lots to look forward too.:D

TXAlex
May 24, 2008, 5:12 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2517182007_7134c20dba_o.jpg
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Jdawgboy
May 24, 2008, 7:15 PM
Great Pictures. I love that angle looking up from the pool deck, the tower looks very impressive.

I noticed that they finally lit AMILI II. I like it alot. Love green and love the fact that even though its a mid height building, it is still lit up well to be seen from good distances.

H2O
May 25, 2008, 3:15 PM
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/4739/pflugerpanocopygb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/4739/pflugerpanocopygb4.6bfcb619f1.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=384&i=pflugerpanocopygb4.jpg)

DTAustin
May 26, 2008, 10:37 PM
If 360 is any indication, only one or two condos at Ovation will sell at the "starting" price. I really doubt the public will see condos priced at $175K. If any of the condos sell at that low of a price, they'll probably go to insiders or Novare employees.

All of the other condos at 360 were considerably more expensive than the quoted $190K starting price. I got a day 3 sales appointment for 360 and the lowest price we saw was mid 200's for a very small one bedroom. Based on the pricing I saw, I'm guessing the average selling price per condo at 360 was over $400K. There seemed to be two price groupings centered around $280K and $450K. At the same time, I think the developer delivered a very good product at a very reasonable price point for downtown. Unless you buy into an older building, you probably can't touch downtown for under $450-500K.

I think Ovation will be sold at a similar price point as 360. One bedrooms from $250-350K and two bedrooms from $350-500K, and somewhere between $300 and 400 / sq ft.

TXAlex
May 27, 2008, 1:24 AM
My main complaint about 360 is no stained concrete floors. Carpet sucks and the hallways have carpet that looks as if it belongs in a Vegas hotel.

MichaelB
May 27, 2008, 1:43 AM
My main complaint about 360 is no stained concrete floors. Carpet sucks and the hallways have carpet that looks as if it belongs in a Vegas hotel.

Spring didn't offer concrete either. When we asked they sited two reasons:A) can't guarentee the product. (Too much varitaion possible) B) sound to units below. Funny thing was... the model had concrete floors!

360 offered wood didn't they?

Gallup
May 27, 2008, 6:22 AM
360 looks Great:cheers:

I’m not sure about the Stratus bid.:koko: Yea, it looks good and all, but where is the beef? They won Block 21 over three years ago and so far we’ve seen some dirt move and that is all. The timing is suspect in my eyes. Is Block 21 really under construction or is someone wanting to really make it look like it is? By the time the council picks a winner how much will Stratus really have put into the Block 21 project? The W project looks incredible, I just really hope it isn’t a ploy by the developer to win Green. :shrug:

I’ve been wondering if the Four Seasons Residential Tower will have Great Streets. It looks like there is only around 8’ between the front of the building and Cesar Chaves and not the requisite18’ required for Great Streets.

Spring makes me happy. It’s great that the point tower has found Austin. It’s great looking at the Green Water Treatment Plant proposals with all of those point towers. It’s also good to know that HEB wants to come downtown. If Stratus loses, someone else will court them and get them in.

Anybody heard anything about the AMOA/Hines project?

southsideatx04
May 27, 2008, 2:52 PM
If 360 is any indication, only one or two condos at Ovation will sell at the "starting" price. I really doubt the public will see condos priced at $175K. If any of the condos sell at that low of a price, they'll probably go to insiders or Novare employees.

All of the other condos at 360 were considerably more expensive than the quoted $190K starting price. I got a day 3 sales appointment for 360 and the lowest price we saw was mid 200's for a very small one bedroom. Based on the pricing I saw, I'm guessing the average selling price per condo at 360 was over $400K. There seemed to be two price groupings centered around $280K and $450K. At the same time, I think the developer delivered a very good product at a very reasonable price point for downtown. Unless you buy into an older building, you probably can't touch downtown for under $450-500K.

I think Ovation will be sold at a similar price point as 360. One bedrooms from $250-350K and two bedrooms from $350-500K, and somewhere between $300 and 400 / sq ft.

I remember that a few years ago. I think that the ovation will be more expensive as material for construction will increase significantly. You cant even get a brand-new condo for that cheap in Austin let alone downtown. Also the Spring had similar low prices.

austlar1
May 28, 2008, 7:56 AM
My main complaint about 360 is no stained concrete floors. Carpet sucks and the hallways have carpet that looks as if it belongs in a Vegas hotel.

I think the building LOOKS like a Vegas hotel, especially the itty bitty balconies.

austin242
May 28, 2008, 7:53 PM
:previous: Is that really all that bad.

TXAlex
May 28, 2008, 9:23 PM
Overall it's pretty nice. I just don't like carpet.

greenbelt
May 28, 2008, 9:50 PM
:previous: I'm sure the carpet is a noise thing. We were in loft for a couple years and concrete is cool, but LOUD. Especially when someone above you is moving furniture or has hard soled shoes. I'm not too much a fan of how the hallways shown above turned out. Mainly the floor pattern and lighting...Vegas baby.

mars-man
May 28, 2008, 10:10 PM
I got this message from Tribeza magazine. No RSVP needed. Enjoy! :notacrook:


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TXAlex
May 28, 2008, 11:38 PM
:previous: I'm sure the carpet is a noise thing. We were in loft for a couple years and concrete is cool, but LOUD. Especially when someone above you is moving furniture or has hard soled shoes. I'm not too much a fan of how the hallways shown above turned out. Mainly the floor pattern and lighting...Vegas baby.

I lived in the Plaza for about a year and the over head noise wasn't bad at all. Except when someone dropped something heavy. It was loud then and could startle one.

You don't know the eyeball motif? Kind of looks like a jesus fish.

Saddle Man
May 29, 2008, 5:00 AM
Concrete floors are loud. Any kind of noise (talking, footsteps, tv's, music, slamming doors, etc.) reverberates down hallways, and from floor to floor. Carpets get ugly fast, but they sure do help muffle all the random noises that people make/create.

NormalgeNyus
May 29, 2008, 5:05 AM
man those balcony's are so small you can't even put a chair out there to sit and enjoy downtown. all you can do is stand.:whatthefuck:

Nickelplate
May 29, 2008, 7:42 AM
I would not pay that price for a space like that (360 and others downtown similar). Where's the incentive for me to move into a condo for 300 to 400 thousand when I could do much better elsewhere in the city. Just curious of the thoughts here. I'm a potential buyer in the next two years.

Jdawgboy
May 29, 2008, 8:41 AM
Just thought Id mention that the Bank Of America Building or at least the short part of it that is on the north corner of 5th and Congress is empty. I walked by it this evening and looked inside and the place is cleared out. I wonder when we will see that building demolished...?

priller
May 29, 2008, 1:36 PM
I would not pay that price for a space like that (360 and others downtown similar). Where's the incentive for me to move into a condo for 300 to 400 thousand when I could do much better elsewhere in the city. Just curious of the thoughts here. I'm a potential buyer in the next two years.

Location! Our decision to buy a condo was driven almost completely by location. My wife works downtown; she now walks to work. I work just off Barton Skyway, takes me just minutes to get there. I hate hate HATE commuting! We're down to one car now. We like being able to walk places. We love all the activity downtown. These were all big factors for us in moving here.

As far as the size of the units goes, I don't really mind. Plus, our units at the Sabine have really high ceilings, so they don't seem so small. And I think it was good for us to pare down our stuff to essentials. People accumulate so much stuff over the years, so much so that there are shows on TV dedicated solely to helping people get rid of clutter. Crazy!

priller
May 29, 2008, 1:39 PM
She was slightly surprised by the pools size, it's a lap pool, not a problem in her words. Ie. It's not a hangout... like I would hope to find. The excitement of being an owner of a unit in the building seems to offset the fact that as she stated "It is really small".

Listening to chatter at the party, I heard a lot of the same sentiments. My wife also noted that the pool and gym seem rather small given the number of people that will live there. But, IMHO, they seem to be minor quibbles. Overall the building looks really nice.

TXAlex
May 29, 2008, 3:00 PM
Just thought Id mention that the Bank Of America Building or at least the short part of it that is on the north corner of 5th and Congress is empty. I walked by it this evening and looked inside and the place is cleared out. I wonder when we will see that building demolished...?

T Stacy? Right.

Raining Inside
May 29, 2008, 4:00 PM
T Stacy? Right.

Fifth and Congress is where the ~30-story T-Stacy office building is planned. His ~66/70-story residential building is planned for Fifth and Brazos.

GoldenBoot
May 29, 2008, 4:07 PM
His ~66/70-story residential building is planned for Fifth and Brazos.

Sixth & Brazos...southwest corner, where the Littlefield Mall & condos are now.

AustinGuy
May 29, 2008, 4:30 PM
Any word on when the retail/restaurants in the ground floor of the 360 will open?

MichaelB
May 29, 2008, 5:02 PM
Sixth & Brazos...southwest corner, where the Littlefield Mall & condos are now.

Hey GoldenB.... wasn't the BofA building just renovated in the original Stacy plan... had green space on top of it as I recall, and the tower was built to the east and "leaned" over the lower property. Yes/no?

Jdawgboy
May 29, 2008, 5:05 PM
Yea that was the first design that we saw. The tower itself I guess will just stay as is. The banking offices in that building on the southwest corner of 5th and Congress will be demolished for the office tower. I wonder when they finally moved everything out. Definatly nothing in there now.

Nickelplate
May 29, 2008, 5:36 PM
Location! Our decision to buy a condo was driven almost completely by location. My wife works downtown; she now walks to work. I work just off Barton Skyway, takes me just minutes to get there. I hate hate HATE commuting! We're down to one car now. We like being able to walk places. We love all the activity downtown. These were all big factors for us in moving here.

As far as the size of the units goes, I don't really mind. Plus, our units at the Sabine have really high ceilings, so they don't seem so small. And I think it was good for us to pare down our stuff to essentials. People accumulate so much stuff over the years, so much so that there are shows on TV dedicated solely to helping people get rid of clutter. Crazy!

Good points, I just want more bang for the buck. I would love the lifestyle and convenience. Plus the commuter rail is stopping right in front of my work, depending on its hours of operation that would be a big reason for a move downtown. No Mopac commute! The girlfriend does work downtown...I guess I'm just stuck in the suburban frame of mind. If the right place emerges I would love to join you in city centre!

austin242
May 29, 2008, 6:56 PM
well acording to the pictures I don't think that the gym or pool are to small considering alot of the people who live their won't work out any ways and Ive seen smaller gyms for bigger developments and they are empty most of the time.

JAM
May 29, 2008, 7:02 PM
well acording to the pictures I don't think that the gym or pool are to small considering alot of the people who live their won't work out any ways and Ive seen smaller gyms for bigger developments and they are empty most of the time.

Same could be said of the pool, the grilling area, the lounges. Everyone has a favorite place in their building, and all should be attended to.

Saddle Man
May 29, 2008, 8:43 PM
In the building I live in, the gym and pool are rarely used.

pato79
May 29, 2008, 9:17 PM
Any word on when the retail/restaurants in the ground floor of the 360 will open?

Blue cafe in June, Mulberry in July, Royal Blue Grocery in August, Lora Reynolds Gallery sometime in Fall.

dvddvd
May 29, 2008, 10:23 PM
Same could be said of the pool, the grilling area, the lounges. Everyone has a favorite place in their building, and all should be attended to.

if the pool, grilling area, lounge, and gym at the shore and the 360 are compared ....

owners at the 360 might feel much better about their purchase regarding these issues. the pool at the shore is only 2'8" deep and quite a bit shorter, the lounge is plain, and the gym an afterthought. imho - the pool and gym at the shore are virtually unusable.

these areas might not get much use in any complex, but they are a letdown at the shore and do not enhance its appeal. (the view from the shore's deck is quite nice though)

the shore is not putting its units, which have had contracts cancelled, back up for sale on the website. it looks like its going to be a long time before we get a sense of the "true" market.

and there are at least 8 units for rent at the shore; at prices that are going to be hard to get. they've been sitting there for awhile now ... with no takers.

it's going to be interesting.

dvd

priller
May 29, 2008, 10:49 PM
the pool at the shore is only 2'8" deep

That's nuts! :koko:

We use the pool at the big Hilton (got a year free at the Hilton spa and pool when we signed up for the Sabine) and we love it. We're there all the time. We consider it a huge plus for this place.

Greggklar
May 30, 2008, 2:30 AM
I agree, I'm a REALTOR and find it very hard to sell a buyer on a property that does not have at least a pool and about 50/50 on a gym and other amenities.
The Shores pool is somewhat of a disappointment but at least it's there. The rental market in Austin and around the country is very strong due to the very tight lending by all the banks. 35% of buyers who would have qualified a year ago don't today. Everyone has to live somewhere, either by lease or own.

Strayone
May 30, 2008, 4:41 AM
This might fall into some other thread but what the.. The Frisco is systematically being torn down now. The little used car spot on the corner has been cleared already. A landmark and as a whole a last of it's breed is no more. I believe a Walgreen's will be built on the corner of Koenig and Burnet. I only ate at that locale and the one DT but one time each. I believe the old Cuerros on Burnet will be the rebirth of this Austin original.

Saddle Man
May 30, 2008, 4:50 AM
NOOOOO! Frisco! Damn those bastards.

MichaelB
May 30, 2008, 4:51 AM
This might fall into some other thread but what the.. The Frisco is systematically being torn down now. The little used car spot on the corner has been cleared already. A landmark and as a whole a last of it's breed is no more. I believe a Walgreen's will be built on the corner of Koenig and Burnet. I only ate at that locale and the one DT but one time each. I believe the old Cuerros on Burnet will be the rebirth of this Austin original.

Correct on all points.

GoldenBoot
May 30, 2008, 3:21 PM
Hey GoldenB.... wasn't the BofA building just renovated in the original Stacy plan... had green space on top of it as I recall, and the tower was built to the east and "leaned" over the lower property. Yes/no?


Yes, you are correct...However, that plan has officially been scrapped for the new, two tower plan.

MichaelB
May 30, 2008, 5:58 PM
Yes, you are correct...However, that plan has officially been scrapped for the new, two tower plan.

Ah, thanks...... any insight as to when/if something might happen?

mars-man
May 30, 2008, 5:59 PM
This might fall into some other thread but what the.. The Frisco is systematically being torn down now. The little used car spot on the corner has been cleared already. A landmark and as a whole a last of it's breed is no more. I believe a Walgreen's will be built on the corner of Koenig and Burnet. I only ate at that locale and the one DT but one time each. I believe the old Cuerros on Burnet will be the rebirth of this Austin original.

That would be the old Curra's up the road... The Statesman ran an article on the Frisco's last days:

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/05/11/0511frisco.html

JAM
May 30, 2008, 6:33 PM
They now have a matching green light for the east side of AMLI II. It is bright! I'll bet the guys in the east facing side of 360 are digging the west facing light. Reminds me of a Sienfeld episode where Cramer switch rooms with Jerry because of the red chicken light :) I never noticed my camera being so grainy at night, I'm wondering if the AMLI light is so bright it is throwing the camera off.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/th_IMG_1446.jpg (http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/IMG_1446.jpg)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/th_IMG_1464.jpg (http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/IMG_1464.jpg)

priller
May 30, 2008, 6:52 PM
I never noticed my camera being so grainy at night

I peeked at the EXIF data on your photo and I see you have a Canon 1100 IS, which is a very nice compact camera. I also see your photo was taken at ISO 1600, which unfortunately will always be very grainy on that small of a camera. For a night photo, you'll need to keep the ISO at 100 and put the camera on a tripod so you can expose for several seconds.

Now your camera may have some kind of "auto ISO" setting turned on, where it jacks up the ISO in order to get a faster shutter speed. If that's the case, you'll want to turn it off for night photos.

deerhoof
May 30, 2008, 7:02 PM
Ah, thanks...... any insight as to when/if something might happen?


I work on the floor below t stacy's and our firm was using a conference room today on their floor so i asked the receptionist about the project and she didn't really have any up to date information. although, I doubt she was the best person to ask. Anyways, she mentioned she didn't think the demo portion of the project was any time soon. I also asked about any renderings of the new two tower project and she showed me a picture of the old proposal. What i found interesting was the original proposal rendering she showed me looked exactly the same as the one we have all seen except that the very top was curved instead of straight.

JAM
May 30, 2008, 7:15 PM
I peeked at the EXIF data on your photo

Thanks for the tips priller! As you can tell, I'm a total camera novice.

DanE008
May 30, 2008, 7:22 PM
so does anybody know when they are going to finish the rest of the flood lighting on the monarch?

Jdawgboy
May 30, 2008, 9:09 PM
Question about the Littlefield Mall building. Is that considered a landmark? Because there is a landmark sign on the side walking along 6th from Congress and if so, what does that mean for the project and how they would be able to demolish the building?

priller
May 30, 2008, 9:24 PM
Question about the Littlefield Mall building. Is that considered a landmark? Because there is a landmark sign on the side walking along 6th from Congress and if so, what does that mean for the project and how they would be able to demolish the building?

Good lord, I hope not! If I remember correctly, I think that marker is talking about Old Pecan Street and a brief history of the Mr. Littlefield.

mars-man
May 30, 2008, 9:34 PM
The ornate Littlefield Building at the NE corner of Congress & Sixth would likely be considered a landmark, but it's not to be confused with the Littlefield Mall building on the other side of Sixth and down a little. I don't think anyone would mind that building getting the wrecking ball. Except maybe current residents...

Saddle Man
May 30, 2008, 10:01 PM
That plaque is about something that used to be on that site before the Littlefield Mall building was built.

austlar1
May 31, 2008, 12:30 AM
They now have a matching green light for the east side of AMLI II. It is bright! I'll bet the guys in the east facing side of 360 are digging the west facing light. Reminds me of a Sienfeld episode where Cramer switch rooms with Jerry because of the red chicken light :) I never noticed my camera being so grainy at night, I'm wondering if the AMLI light is so bright it is throwing the camera off.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/th_IMG_1446.jpg (http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/IMG_1446.jpg)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/th_IMG_1464.jpg (http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/TEXASJAM/AustinBuildings/AMLI_II/IMG_1464.jpg)



Yeah, I was thinking those new green lights would be much more attractive, if they were not so bright. I'd hate to have that intense shade of green flooding into my apartment.

JAM
May 31, 2008, 2:33 AM
Yeah, I was thinking those new green lights would be much more attractive, if they were not so bright. I'd hate to have that intense shade of green flooding into my apartment.

I think their cool and look great! (From a distance) But I agree, I wouldn't want them flooding my condo while trying to sleep. But I'd find a way to deal with it. Think BB gun, hee hee, just kidding.

shanny
May 31, 2008, 5:04 AM
ok, now its obvious that some people moved in 360. notice that their lights are on (most just above the pool).

photo by mybloodself
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2538121428_a628e72a5d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2538121428_a628e72a5d_b.jpg

ivanwolf
May 31, 2008, 5:29 AM
This might fall into some other thread but what the.. The Frisco is systematically being torn down now. The little used car spot on the corner has been cleared already. A landmark and as a whole a last of it's breed is no more. I believe a Walgreen's will be built on the corner of Koenig and Burnet. I only ate at that locale and the one DT but one time each. I believe the old Cuerros on Burnet will be the rebirth of this Austin original.

I am glad that place is gone, it may have been and Austin place (I respect that) but my goodness the food was nasty, the place was dirty and I think I beat everyone in there by like 20 years age wise. I would put it in the top 3 most horrible places I have ever eaten. Maybe I got there food, service, and cleanliness on a bad day but even in its new place I can not even think of going back. Sorry, just an opinion, don't beat me up to bad.

TXAlex
May 31, 2008, 1:46 PM
My friend just moved into the 9th floor (pool level) last night.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2538802954_1b1b0d5de3_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2538802986_254cf79286_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2537984157_5fe9c26361_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2538803062_5d2559f3d0_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2538803126_0ea72d7a45_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/2538803098_9eec5598a2_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2538819404_5150786f62_o.jpg

paulsjv
May 31, 2008, 2:39 PM
My friend just moved into the 9th floor (pool level) last night.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2538802954_1b1b0d5de3_o.jpg

That's freak'n awesome because my sister is seriously on the 10th floor right above your friend. Probably could look up and say hello if you were both on the balcony. ;)

JAM
May 31, 2008, 3:34 PM
:previous: Awesome photos TXAlex! Is that pic with TV and sink a common area or the inside of your friends condo?

TXAlex
May 31, 2008, 3:38 PM
:previous: Awesome photos TXAlex! Is that pic with TV and sink a common area or the inside of your friends condo?

That is the club. (common area) I sure would be nice if it was the condo but alas it is not. Now if this was the Austonian it would be.

I think the pool area is going to be fantastic once the palm trees get aclimated.

austin242
May 31, 2008, 5:42 PM
Im a strong swimmer and pools that don't go to at least 5ft are a very big dissapointment to me. That is why I love barton springs so much its the best swimming pool ever plus I like the cold tingly fealing when you get:haha: .

priller
May 31, 2008, 5:58 PM
Excellent photos, TXAlex!

hookem
May 31, 2008, 6:02 PM
Great pics! Keep em coming (until your friend throws you out!)

MichaelB
May 31, 2008, 7:33 PM
Re: Green lights..... dig, um.... and to have all thouse pretty lights to look at, you have to expect to have them as your neighbor as well. So, yeah, gotta expect some light (and sound) intrusion living in a dense downtown area. It is one thing for folks to advocate it.... but, cha best understand what it means to live in it. I, personally, thrive on it. (Except for the goddamm garbage truck that comes at 4 am sometimes! See, we all have our limits! )

MichaelB
May 31, 2008, 7:35 PM
I work on the floor below t stacy's and our firm was using a conference room today on their floor so i asked the receptionist about the project and she didn't really have any up to date information. although, I doubt she was the best person to ask. Anyways, she mentioned she didn't think the demo portion of the project was any time soon. I also asked about any renderings of the new two tower project and she showed me a picture of the old proposal. What i found interesting was the original proposal rendering she showed me looked exactly the same as the one we have all seen except that the very top was curved instead of straight.

Cool... glad you asked! Thanks!

Now go snoop some more! :tup: ....and keep us posted!

jowens
Jun 1, 2008, 12:37 AM
I am glad that place is gone, it may have been and Austin place (I respect that) but my goodness the food was nasty, the place was dirty and I think I beat everyone in there by like 20 years age wise. I would put it in the top 3 most horrible places I have ever eaten. Maybe I got there food, service, and cleanliness on a bad day but even in its new place I can not even think of going back. Sorry, just an opinion, don't beat me up to bad.

Ivan I have to strongly disagree with you on this one. Concerning "greasy spoons" eateries; this is one of the Austin classics. The "steakette" is an original to Frisco and they better not mess it up when they move. The onion rings are amazing and if you can handle the old ladies serving you another 30 minutes, the pies are worth it.

Concerning the service; if you are under 50 (i am) you will not get good service.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

For what its worth the green lights on the AMLI adds another dimension of urbanism to the skyline that i like. :tup:

Mopacs
Jun 1, 2008, 12:43 AM
Here's a few shots taken yesterday, for your viewing pleasure...

Legacy dominates Joe's Crab Shack's view of the lake

http://images34.fotki.com/v1193/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060963-vi.jpg

http://images34.fotki.com/v1196/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060971-vi.jpg

http://images34.fotki.com/v1192/photos/5/54967/5804014/P10609651-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1170/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060980-vi.jpg

http://images36.fotki.com/v1182/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060960-vi.jpg

http://images33.fotki.com/v1188/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060946-vi.jpg

http://images33.fotki.com/v1119/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060948-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1169/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060950-vi.jpg

http://images33.fotki.com/v1187/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060916-vi.jpg

http://images34.fotki.com/v1193/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060925-vi.jpg

From Lady Bird Town Lake park

http://images33.fotki.com/v1185/photos/5/54967/5804014/P10700212-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1171/photos/5/54967/5804014/P10700211-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1131/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1070020-vi.jpg

http://images36.fotki.com/v1182/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1070019-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1172/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1070022-vi.jpg

http://images33.fotki.com/v1188/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1070023-vi.jpg

KevinFromTexas
Jun 1, 2008, 1:04 AM
That is the club. (common area) I sure would be nice if it was the condo but alas it is not. Now if this was the Austonian it would be.

I think the pool area is going to be fantastic once the palm trees get aclimated.

Nice pictures, Alex. I could see a unit just above the pool area being very nice with the palm trees, or maybe 2 levels up from there just above the palms. Very nice views. I think I'd be out there all night with drink in hand. :)

And nice pictures, Mopacs. Just think, 4 years ago this would have been a picture of just trees. :)
http://images33.fotki.com/v1188/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060946-vi.jpg


The lights on AMLI on 2nd remind me of the radioactive isotopes from The Simpsons. That building really glows. Notice how it reflects off the other buildings. I like it.
http://images35.fotki.com/v1171/photos/5/54967/5804014/P10700211-vi.jpg

jowens
Jun 1, 2008, 1:36 AM
http://images34.fotki.com/v1193/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060963-vi.jpg


Palm Trees, Joe's Crab Shack, condos,.......this looks like a photo from the Florida Gulf Coast and the beach is on the other side of the condos!!

Nice pics Mopacs. :)

Displaced_Austinite
Jun 1, 2008, 1:54 AM
Palm Trees, Joe's Crab Shack, condos,.......this looks like a photo from the Florida Gulf Coast and the beach is on the other side of the condos!!

Nice pics Mopacs. :)
As a matter of fact It does remind me a bit of Destin.

austintilIdie
Jun 1, 2008, 2:20 AM
Those are some great photos up there.

Last weekend I was kayaking with family on Town Lake . I wanted to take in the view and show off our growing skyline to my uncle from Houston so we started just east of Mopac at Austin High to the Congress Avenue bridge and back. Caught a stunning angle/view and it put into perspective on what will be an interesting cluster in the next couple of years or so along the Congress Avenue corridor...you really have to be looking up from the lake to gain a full appreciation for it.

Hope to take a new camera (to be ziplocked to and from) the next time I'm down there (Where's my tax refund dammit?).

shanny
Jun 1, 2008, 4:09 AM
Mopacs, while looking at your pictures I was reminded of the fact that the San Jacinto Center's lighting scheme isnt as good as it used to be. Raise your hand if you want the red neon lights back!

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/319565138.jpg

Jdawgboy
Jun 1, 2008, 4:37 AM
Mopacs, while looking at your pictures I was reminded of the fact that the San Jacinto Center's lighting scheme isnt as good as it used to be. Raise your hand if you want the red neon lights back!

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/319565138.jpg

:hi: I do...


Also Monarch has finally lit the underside of the roof.

KevinFromTexas
Jun 1, 2008, 5:58 AM
Me too. While I like the white floodlights, it looks so subdued. Besides, those lights were so 1980s. I wish they'd bring them back. We need more color and variety on our skyline at night. I wish they'd light 301 Congress again (just south of Frost Bank Tower). That building has been boring at night for a while now.

Also Monarch has finally lit the underside of the roof.

Ooh! I must see it! How did it look?

Raining Inside
Jun 1, 2008, 6:13 AM
Does Joe's have a deck where one can enjoy these views along with a favorite beverage? If not they are missing out.


http://images35.fotki.com/v1170/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060980-vi.jpg

http://images34.fotki.com/v1193/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1060963-vi.jpg

KevinFromTexas
Jun 1, 2008, 6:24 AM
I believe they do. I seem to have a problem paying attention to their deck for some reason though whenever I go over there. ;)

It's always something like this.

Mmm, that food smells pretty good. Ah, the geese are so cute. I guess that's their deck. Must be a neat atmosphere. Hey, looky there, they lit 360!

Everything else after that is a blur. :D

Never have eaten there. I'm not a big seafood eater. I'm a fan of Maudies (Tex-Mex) on South Lamar. They have a pretty nice view of downtown down Lamar.

LoneStarMike
Jun 1, 2008, 11:05 AM
Does Joe's have a deck where one can enjoy these views along with a favorite beverage? If not they are missing out.

Yes, they do. I took this back in April.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff158/LoneStarMike/April%202008/JoesCrabShack.jpg

Mopacs
Jun 1, 2008, 3:31 PM
Thanks guys! And yes, Joe's does have a very nice view of the lake. With vegetative growth over the years, the view of downtown has become a bit more obscured. One of the pics was taken from the deck, btw. Nevertheless, the views of the lake (and the Waterfront District) are especially nice.

BTW, for those wishing to view the skyline from the office parking lot next door, its now almost impossible to get a full glance of the skyline. This was once the perfect spot... no more. Besides the aforementioned vegetative growth, the complex has fenced off part of the grassy strip overlooking the water. That is why most of my shots were taken from Riverside Drive.

TXAlex
Jun 1, 2008, 3:50 PM
Yeah you could get a nice photo from that parking lot in 2004
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2541147501_7fa4c55bdc_o.jpg

Here's a blast from the not so past. Or a pre-quel to a blast.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2542011046_ec8b8260ab_o.jpg

I just noticed I shot four images and I now have the tools to put them into a panorama.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2541468205_37eb522dd2_b.jpg

austin242
Jun 1, 2008, 4:05 PM
If or when the boardwalk ever gets built it will be the best place ever to get a picture. :fingerscrossed:



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