[bigdogc]

i have to disagree, being rich is hard. you have to go to school for a really long time and make good grades if you want a guaranteed upper-class salary, or you have to be more clever than 99% of people, and invent a product/start an innovative business, etc.

[paulsjv]

i have to disagree, being rich is hard. you have to go to school for a really long time and make good grades if you want a guaranteed upper-class salary, or you have to be more clever than 99% of people, and invent a product/start an innovative business, etc.

You could also save about $10k a year into your 401k plan and if you get about 5% return on it annually you'll have about $1.5 million in 30 years. ;)

[JACKinBeantown]

i have to disagree, being rich is hard. you have to go to school for a really long time and make good grades if you want a guaranteed upper-class salary, or you have to be more clever than 99% of people, and invent a product/start an innovative business, etc.

Or you can just have your rich parents give you the money, real estate, cars, job, donation to schools to get you accepted, etc.

[JAM]

i have to disagree, being rich is hard. you have to go to school for a really long time and make good grades if you want a guaranteed upper-class salary, or you have to be more clever than 99% of people, and invent a product/start an innovative business, etc.

I agree. I've been trying to get rich for 35 years now including going to university while working full-time and at times since then working 3 jobs, and am still just a few paychecks away from skid row. It takes a while.

90% of millionaires in this country are 1st generation, meaning they worked hard and earned their own money. If your sitting around waiting for the governement to help you become rich, it aint going to happen. If you are NOT reading books and learning new things and finding where your passion is and working 12-18 hours a day, you are probably not going to get rich, and should be happy to be where you are at, because that is the easy, lifestyle you chose. Nothing wrong with being not rich. In fact, it might be a better alternative than working all the time. It boils down to a lifestyle choice 99% of the time. Bottom line, don't think everyone in a condo is a spoiled brat, most have worked hard to get there, and continue to work hard to stay there. Who said condo's were fancy anyway? It seems to me it is those big houses in the burbs that are fancy. I can't speak for everyone, but my little condo doesn't even compare to one of those McMansions, and I drive a bicycle (not a big fancy SUV) to get around.

[sakyle04]

i have to disagree, being rich is hard. you have to go to school for a really long time and make good grades if you want a guaranteed upper-class salary, or you have to be more clever than 99% of people, and invent a product/start an innovative business, etc.

having spent a good part of my adult life as a volunteer (community organizer/missionary/whatever) in the slums of south africa, i can say with personal conviction that we are all rich. every one of us on this board is likely in the top 5-10% of wealthiest people in the world.

remember: 1,400,000,000 people in the world today live on less than a dollar a day.

live in the abundance, focused on all that we have, rather than in the scarcity, worried about all that we lack. :tup:

[Blakesalot!]

Very well said, Kyle. Thanks for that.

[MichaelB]

having spent a good part of my adult life as a volunteer (community organizer/missionary/whatever) in the slums of south africa, i can say with personal conviction that we are all rich. every one of us on this board is likely in the top 5-10% of wealthiest people in the world.

remember: 1,400,000,000 people in the world today live on less than a dollar a day.

live in the abundance, focused on all that we have, rather than in the scarcity, worried about all that we lack. :tup:

true dat.

[Nickelplate]

You could also save about $10k a year into your 401k plan and if you get about 5% return on it annually you'll have about $1.5 million in 30 years. ;)

Depending on the stock market (bailout plan).:tup:

[paulsjv]

Depending on the stock market (bailout plan).:tup:

Bail out yuck! I'm sick of it. My personal opinion is to have no bail out for wall street because I really think it isn't going to be nearly as bad as they (when I say they I mean the people who got us into this mess) say it is going to be.

[NormalgeNyus]

yeah i agree we have to stop helping these companies that are too arrogant to help them selves. how will they learn. they have a ceo that drives the company in to the ground and then the company gives them a million dollar bonus as a thank you.

[austlar1]

I guess you are referring to CEO's of companies that have been loaning money like mad around the country to build hundreds of condo towers, some of then in Austiin, that probably should not have been built? Then they take the loans, package them in some kind of supposedly collateralized debt instrument. These debt instruments are then foisted off onto entities seeking to park their money in something "safe".

This thing is about so much more than sub prime loans to people with bad credit. I think people, myself included, have been so intoxicated at the sight of all the lovely new construction going on around us that we forgot to question the fundamentals. The bankers, always the optimist with other people's money, certainly lost sight.

[priller]

Cranes going up at the W this morning!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2909994184_64383d799a_o.jpg


I have more photos but didn't have time to go through them all this morning. I'll post more over the weekend.

It was a lovely morning:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2910006764_149dc32b54_o.jpg

[TXLove]

^^^Very nice shot there Priller!!!!!!

[bluedogok]

:previous: Great pic as always priller :tup:

This thing is about so much more than sub prime loans to people with bad credit. I think people, myself included, have been so intoxicated at the sight of all the lovely new construction going on around us that we forgot to question the fundamentals. The bankers, always the optimist with other people's money, certainly lost sight.
I have told my wife for a few years that I just couldn't see things going as they have been for much longer, there is always a bust cycle after a boom cycle. I know that we have many projects "shelved" and some are completely dead. The project that I have been working on for months is in danger of being killed because of various factors (construction costs, financing, etc.) but if they don't go through with it, they will pretty much have to close.

[MichaelB]

:previous: Great pic as always priller :tup:


I have told my wife for a few years that I just couldn't see things going as they have been for much longer, there is always a bust cycle after a boom cycle. I know that we have many projects "shelved" and some are completely dead. The project that I have been working on for months is in danger of being killed because of various factors (construction costs, financing, etc.) but if they don't go through with it, they will pretty much have to close.

Good luck with that.... hope the project survives.

[KevinFromTexas]

Office vacancies rise, but Frost Bank Tower lands a big new tenant
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/10/04/1004office.html

In an example of the strength of the downtown office market relative to others across Central Texas, Thomas Properties this week signed its largest lease since acquiring the Frost Bank Tower last year.
http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/03/53/12/image_7612533.jpg
Laura Skelding/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/10/04/lhs-Cap-0810K-03.html

[Saddle Man]

:previous: Great pic as always priller :tup:


I have told my wife for a few years that I just couldn't see things going as they have been for much longer, there is always a bust cycle after a boom cycle. I know that we have many projects "shelved" and some are completely dead. The project that I have been working on for months is in danger of being killed because of various factors (construction costs, financing, etc.) but if they don't go through with it, they will pretty much have to close.

What are you working on?

[KevinFromTexas]

By the way, did anyone else notice it looks like there's parking spaces on that top level of the podium there on the Frost Bank Tower? There's even an opening into the glass facade at that level. I had no idea there was parking up there. I knew the east end of the podium was for parking, but I didn't think it went that high.

[Strayone]

Yeah it does show parking spaces, I never noticed that view before.The picture looks like it's taken during the cap 10k .

[KevinFromTexas]

I've seen that view before. :D It's from one of the upper floors of the One American Center. I hadn't noticed those parking spaces though.

Here's my pic:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20views/Austinimage878Emporis439570.jpg

[LoneStarMike]

By the way, did anyone else notice it looks like there's parking spaces on that top level of the podium there on the Frost Bank Tower? There's even an opening into the glass facade at that level. I had no idea there was parking up there.

I was up there last November. Here's a few photos I took back then.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff158/LoneStarMike/11-27-2007/360MonarchFromFrost.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff158/LoneStarMike/11-27-2007/AltaVidaFromFrost.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff158/LoneStarMike/Best%20Of%20Austin/DSC_0080.jpg

[Scottolini]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2910006764_149dc32b54_o.jpg

This view is already great, but will be amazing once the Four Seasons Residences, Austonian, and W Hotel and Residences are complete.

[priller]

Mike, how easy is it to get up to those parking areas in the Frost Tower? I haven't tried it, myself, as it always looks fairly secure.

[LoneStarMike]

:previous: For me, it was easy. I think I've been twice. I entered through the garage, rather than the lobby, then took the elevator to the ninth floor and walked up the ramp to level 10 which is the open air deck. Both times it was on a weekday between 9:00 and 10:00 am. I never stayed very long, though.

Then again, I have yet to have a problem going to the top level of the old Bank One garage either, whereas I believe you said that when you went, you were asked to leave.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, I was asked, or rather told that I couldn't go up in the Chase Bank/Bank One garage. The guy first saw me on my bike, so I thought maybe if I asked if I locked up my bike and took the elevator could I go then. But nope, they wouldn't let me. I think really it depends on the security guard. Some are just more strict. I've been up there other times with no trouble. I've never really had any trouble getting into and onto parking garages in Austin though. And anytime I see a security guard I usually let them know straight up what I'm doing, most are cool with it.

[Raining Inside]

Emporis limited their public information again. We can only see completed buildings and buildings under construction if they are topped out. Information about other under construction and proposed buildings now costs a small fortune to see.
Completed Low/midrise buildings (at least for Austin) are now included with the highrise buildings in the free listing.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, I'm the editor for Austin at Emporis. I am annoyed that all the work I do to add those buildings and heights isn't public. BUT! I'm working on adding that here anyway. I've already started. If you check out the first page of Austin's compilation thread in the 'City Compilations' section of the forum here, you'll see at least the beginning of the completed high rises for Austin. I also found a cool new source for building heights that lists every building in Central Austin from Barton Springs Road to about 29th Street just north of the UT Campus, and from Lamar to I-35. Besides adding high-rises, I'll also eventually add all the low-rises too. It's just a huge task of course.

If you're interested, you can check out the website I mentioned that has the building heights. Go to the site below, click on "aerial" and then "3D". Let the pages load. Basically these are 3D drawings of buildings. Take your cursor and put it over buildings. In the lower right corner it will show the elevation of the land, and the height of the building. You can measure podium levels, setbacks, main roofs and the mechanical penthouses, or "sheds" of buildings. So far the drawings show everything from 2006 and older.
http://maps.live.com/

[texboy]

Just wondering, has anyone heard anything at all on the Villa Muse Studio project? I'm just guessing that at this point its dead as a doornail?

[LoneStarMike]

Sort of off topic, but is there a website where one can go to see what the status of a particular building permit is by typing in the address? Thanks for any help or info anyone might be able to give me.

[austin242]

Actually the villa muse website says that the new location is to be anounced soon.

[priller]

A few random photos from yesterday, 10/8:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2927071096_1e56833be8_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2926217925_bc5e2b8727_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2927070846_7f15e246e4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2926219261_65fd0deaed_o.jpg


Starting to get dense:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2927071364_18688c6fb2_o.jpg

[greenbelt]

Nice pics Priller! We walked that same trail over the weekend, but all i had was the camera phone. Question on the Spring, will the crane be raised soon, or is that the top out point?

Priller's image below with the Austonian and W added. Perspective and heights are off some but you can see the density.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/streetwise2/austin-comp-10-9-08.jpg

[austintilIdie]

The two Silicon Labs squatters will hopefully hit the chopping block in my lifetime for smarter developments...those and AMLI 1 are inhibiting progress downtown.

[texboy]

I hope they don't actually...you start losing the human scale when you have nothing but stuffy highrises....but seeing the direction Austin is going....its probably going to be that way anyway.

[M1EK]

Those midrises are a lot stuffier than the highrises that have come onboard since they were built. Midrises are fine for areas near, but not in, downtown or other nodes of density - but we'll never achieve enough of those to make enough of a dent in our low-density problem, thanks to the Laura Morrisons of the world.

[Raining Inside]

The land that the Silicon Labs buildings is on isn't needed for highrises right now. There are enough surface lots and other spaces (i.e. Green) to support the next one or two waves of highrise development. But someday, there will be pressure on midrise buildings like that to be turned into bigger developments. Then maybe we can start seeing some implosions! The Intel demo was just a taste.

[Raining Inside]

Actually the villa muse website says that the new location is to be anounced soon.

That Villa Muse website hasn't been updated for months. They've been saying a new site will be announced soon ever since they couldn't get their way with the city back in May, I think. Also, I don't see how a development like this could get any financial backing in the current financial mess.

[Scottolini]

Question on the Spring, will the crane be raised soon, or is that the top out point?

The crane will be raised, as Spring is only up to 30 floors, and thus still has 13 floors to add.

[Scottolini]

Pressler on West Fifth Street has started construction.
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/10/09/1009goingup.html

Image from UrbanAustin.org
http://www.urbanaustin.org/images/1/10/GablesPressler.gif

[TXAlex]

Pressler on West Fifth Street has started construction.
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/10/09/1009goingup.html

Image from UrbanAustin.org
http://www.urbanaustin.org/images/1/10/GablesPressler.gif

People walking in the street there. Now that is a funny concept.

[KevinFromTexas]

Ha, yep, on 5th Street it is.

As for the Silicon Labs Buildings, I doubt they'd be replaced any time soon. There would have to be a huge demand to call for a demolition of a building that was just completed in 2002. One thing I've said before is that if the developers there had been smart they would have designed the buildings to allow for additional levels above them.

[bigdogc]

thinking into the future... once the W, Austonian, andaz, and four seasons are done, will there be any major construction? I cant think of anything big that is going to be going up in the next year or two.

[Scottolini]

I think that the Marriott Convention Center Hotel has a decent possibility of starting construction within the next year, or less. Also, Hotel Van Zandt.

Federal Courthouse? I have no idea, but I would love to see it happen, as that vacant lot bugs me to no end.

Also, if they can get some tenants signed on, even if it's leaching tenants from other downtown properties, I believe the Hines/Austin Museum of Art project could break ground within a year or two.

Others I feel have less of a chance, but still a possibility would be Ovation, the Hixon hotel site, and maybe the Seaholm hotel.

But then again, I'm an unmitigated optimist!:D

[priller]

I don't think the Federal courthouse was scheduled to start until 2012 anyway.

[Scottolini]

Really?!? I remember at one point it was going to start this year. Now mind you, this information was from several years ago, right after the deal was reached for the Federal Government to purchase the Intel site. I don't remember hearing anything else since that time, but I would hope it's planned to be complete by 2012, and not just start construction then. If not, talk about a serious delay. Personally, I would have preferred to see the incomplete Intel building there, than a freaking field covering the whole block.

[TXAlex]

Really?!? I remember at one point it was going to start this year. Now mind you, this information was from several years ago, right after the deal was reached for the Federal Government to purchase the Intel site. I don't remember hearing anything else since that time, but I would hope it's planned to be complete by 2012, and not just start construction then. If not, talk about a serious delay. Personally, I would have preferred to see the incomplete Intel building there, than a freaking field covering the whole block.

It was a hang out for thugs and theifs. I used to visit The Plaza alot and I had parked my car next to the old intel building overnite only to wake to having my windows smashed out and almost nothing stolen from it. My Ipod was in fact still there.

I was put in a rental car an again visit the Plaza overnight and the rental cars windows were smash out and next to nothing was stolen.

I'm glad they imploded it as the riff raff have fewer places to do their thing.

[priller]

A few random shots from Friday morning.

Austonian:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2931989794_f6c8f213a3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2931134987_59b08a4998_o.jpg


W:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2931134529_74222437c3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2931134101_70fb8fcb2f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2931990186_30894f4127_o.jpg


Nice clouds:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2401/2931131641_4afc57c733_o.jpg

[Jdawgboy]

Looks like they are about to raise the crane for the Austonian...:banana:

[shanny]

supposed to have jumped it 100ft today

[KevinFromTexas]

A few shots from this morning. The lighting was nasty so I was having trouble keeping the right settings.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6885/p1230393edityz7.jpg

21Rio making a nice impact.
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7765/p1230394editdk0.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5609/p1230409edityr0.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8236/p1230410edittp4.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2752/p1230411editak3.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8583/p1230412editlb6.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1592/p1230416editog6.jpg

Crane pieces waiting to be installed at The Austonian.
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/663/p1230420editvz9.jpg

[paulsjv]

I think that the Marriott Convention Center Hotel has a decent possibility of starting construction within the next year, or less. Also, Hotel Van Zandt.

Federal Courthouse? I have no idea, but I would love to see it happen, as that vacant lot bugs me to no end.

Also, if they can get some tenants signed on, even if it's leaching tenants from other downtown properties, I believe the Hines/Austin Museum of Art project could break ground within a year or two.

Others I feel have less of a chance, but still a possibility would be Ovation, the Hixon hotel site, and maybe the Seaholm hotel.

But then again, I'm an unmitigated optimist!:D

You're forgetting the whole water treatment plant Seaholm! :)

I thought Seaholm already had funding so I don't see why they wouldn't go through with it as there is a big demand for hotels in Austin.

A few random shots from Friday morning.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2931134101_70fb8fcb2f_o.jpg

Nice shots Kevin! I always amazes me that a HUGE building can be supported by twigs like that. ;)

[priller]

It's like an iceberg -- those columns extend far under ground. And there are lots of them. But yeah, I know what you mean, it just doesn't look like they can support that much weight.

Stopped by W for a quick look this morning and they're definitely getting the floor ready. They were laying down the vapor barrier and dumping gravel on top of that. Should starting laying out rebar soon. I wonder how long the big ramp will be there?

In other news, the did jump up the Austonian crane this weekend and they started installing the window wall on the bottom tower floor this morning. It was too overcast to get a good sense of the window color, but I'm very interested to see how they turn out. The initial renders had windows with a dark green tint, but the latest were much bluer. We'll see.

You can also see little clips all along the edge of the pedestal floors. I assume that means they'll start putting up cladding on those floors, too, pretty soon.

[MichaelB]

It's like an iceberg -- those columns extend far under ground. And there are lots of them. But yeah, I know what you mean, it just doesn't look like they can support that much weight.

Stopped by W for a quick look this morning and they're definitely getting the floor ready. They were laying down the vapor barrier and dumping gravel on top of that. Should starting laying out rebar soon. I wonder how long the big ramp will be there?

In other news, the did jump up the Austonian crane this weekend and they started installing the window wall on the bottom tower floor this morning. It was too overcast to get a good sense of the window color, but I'm very interested to see how they turn out. The initial renders had windows with a dark green tint, but the latest were much bluer. We'll see.

You can also see little clips all along the edge of the pedestal floors. I assume that means they'll start putting up cladding on those floors, too, pretty soon.

I was peaking over the "W" fence this AM too! Been out of town a lot... so it was cool to see all the progress!

[AusTex]

[QUOTE=paulsjv;3853159]You're forgetting the whole water treatment plant Seaholm! :)

I thought Seaholm already had funding so I don't see why they wouldn't go through with it as there is a big demand for hotels in Austin.
QUOTE]

This hotel site does not yet have direct connection to 4th, 3rd, 2nd Streets nor Ceasar Chavez. This might be an issue.

[Scottolini]

But they are currently building new roads in the area that will give Seaholm access to Lamar, Cesar Chavez, and Third St. Eventually Seaholm will also have access to Third Street via an extension of West Avenue from Third St. to Cesar Chavez.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/muraida.htm

Here's a timeline of the Seaholm District Development.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/timeline.htm

[Blakesalot!]

You're forgetting the whole water treatment plant Seaholm! :)

I thought Seaholm already had funding so I don't see why they wouldn't go through with it as there is a big demand for hotels in Austin.



Seaholm and the Green Water Treatment Plant are two separate projects.

[427MM]

Anybody want to see inside some of Austin's most coveted addresses? Check out this weekend's DANA Downtown Living Tour Here (http://www.downtownaustin.org/DLT/)

[priller]

Photos from 10/18. Absolutely beautiful morning.

Ashton. Taking down the crane today. A very slow process. I only hung around for a few minutes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2951692707_eff80d64e6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2952541770_7b43c21b00_o.jpg

They were taking out these counterweights one at a time. Painfully slow process:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2951691863_a171b72225_o.jpg


Spring at 32 floors, starting to look tall:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2952542678_c4e2f28a27_o.jpg


Austonian. More glass going on:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2951686531_65710a1f4b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2952537558_614951ec41_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2952538556_2304f87087_o.jpg


Four Seasons Residences. Sorry for the poor photo here, but this was almost straight into the sun. Now that we're well into Fall it will be harder to photograph this building, as the sun never gets high enough to shine on the north face during the fall and winter. And in the evening the San Jacinto building casts a shadow on it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2952538084_71a8ec6196_o.jpg

They've just started on the 14th floor. The 13th floor (assuming they call it the 13th floor) is the last floor of the middle section, and slightly taller than the others in that section. Here's the rendering again:

http://www.urbanaustin.org/images/5/5f/FSRAustin_Aug07Rendering.jpg


W Hotel & Residences. Getting the bottom floor of the garage ready.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2952539596_95434a1d50_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2952539050_71e171bafc_o.jpg

The water storage tank:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2952540154_838a927db9_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2952541022_248ce8253b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2951690901_d0a6879df4_o.jpg


Some people doing advertising for a ski resort:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2951693135_eb3708a5ba_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2952544118_86dd653f6e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2952544638_ba34776192_o.jpg

[MichaelB]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2952544638_ba34776192_o.jpg

Is that Zoolander?

Passed by them this AM as well! Snow balls are fun!

Don't forget the downtown tour tomorrow!

[KevinFromTexas]

Great pics! Perfect photography weather today. I can tell The Austonian is going to be a beautiful building. I already like the glass.

[Raining Inside]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll278/raininginside/ben_stiller.jpg

[shanny]

the view from dkr yesterday (its so good to be home!)

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL630/3951350/18290928/339408052.jpg

[NormalgeNyus]

the other day i had the opportunity to view parts of the old city hall under the handcock center. the lights did not work so i could not see much. does anyone have any old pics of it or know why they just built the hankcock center on top of it?

[greenbelt]

The Spring crane must have been raised recently, wow it's really up there now!

[priller]

Yes, greenbelt, I noticed they were raising the crane today when I drove by. It seems like they just raised it not too long ago. They're cruising.

[priller]

the other day i had the opportunity to view parts of the old city hall under the handcock center. the lights did not work so i could not see much. does anyone have any old pics of it or know why they just built the hankcock center on top of it?

Hmm, there must be an older Hancock center I'm not familiar with, because the only one I know of is up around 42nd street, near the old golf course.

[NormalgeNyus]

its the one just north of the UT campus theres a sears and wendys and some other stores there

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm pretty sure that's the same one. I've never heard of a city hall in Austin outside of downtown though. There's only ever been 4 city halls, and 3 of them still exist. The one that was torn down stood where the current one does.

[JAM]

Yes, greenbelt, I noticed they were raising the crane today when I drove by. It seems like they just raised it not too long ago. They're cruising.

Yeah - they were working this last Sunday. They mean business over there!

[MichaelB]

the other day i had the opportunity to view parts of the old city hall under the handcock center. the lights did not work so i could not see much. does anyone have any old pics of it or know why they just built the hankcock center on top of it?

Please explain more..... as others have said, the only Hancock center I know is where the HEB/Sears are. That was an open air shopping center before it's current configuration with a cafeteria! Wooo! Not remember anything with a underground or part of city hall. Please elaborate.

[MichaelB]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll278/raininginside/ben_stiller.jpg

It was him!

Had fun on the downtown tour yesterday! Anyone else go?

[KevinFromTexas]

Well, there's also a Hancock Center in Southwest Austin. It's west of Mopac at West Gate Boulevard and Ben White. It's just a small strip center that sits on a dead end street. There's also a 4-story office building that was built a few years ago nearby. I seriously doubt there's ever been a city hall there. Honestly, I'm not even sure it's still called that. I haven't been over there in years.

[G Lee]

the other day i had the opportunity to view parts of the old city hall under the handcock center. the lights did not work so i could not see much. does anyone have any old pics of it or know why they just built the hankcock center on top of it?

There was a medium sized auditorium/meeting hall under Sears that was built at the same time as the store. They leased it out for various groups but it was never City Hall. The entrance is next to Sears on the West side.

[NormalgeNyus]

all i know is its underneath the sear store in the handcock center north of the UT. The rumor that i was told is that its the old city hall. but like you said i cant find anything online about a city hall in that location. Sears was built on top of it.

[MichaelB]

There was a medium sized auditorium/meeting hall under Sears that was built at the same time as the store. They leased it out for various groups but it was never City Hall. The entrance is next to Sears on the West side.

That's crazy! I never knew that. Makes sense thought. That was a rather complete little "town center" in a early thought of it. By the time I saw it it was rather dried up.... but you could tell it had a lot of effort when it was built.

Speaking of which... do you know when the original center was built. Felt like around 1960 as I recall.

[G Lee]

That's crazy! I never knew that. Makes sense thought. That was a rather complete little "town center" in a early thought of it. By the time I saw it it was rather dried up.... but you could tell it had a lot of effort when it was built.

Speaking of which... do you know when the original center was built. Felt like around 1960 as I recall.
Sears opened in Nov 1963 the grand opening was Jan 1964
There were 4-5 buildings facing a courtyard with fountains.
Sears and the fitness center are the only original buildings remaining.

[MichaelB]

Sears opened in Nov 1963 the grand opening was Jan 1964
There were 4-5 buildings facing a courtyard with fountains.
Sears and the fitness center are the only original buildings remaining.

Ah, thanks. I remember seeing what was left of the fountains! There was a cafeteria there, yes?

[texastarkus]

Ah, thanks. I remember seeing what was left of the fountains! There was a cafeteria there, yes?

OK let me let my age show for a minute...
There was a Dillards, G.C. Murphy's, Sears, HEB, Wyatts Caf.,McCann Shoes (next to the town hall), Radio Shack, Handcock barbershop and other various small shops.
The Dillards was their first location outside of Arkansas. The Murphy's had two levels with the bottom level like a huge 5&Dime. Back in the middle 70's Murphy's moved out and Bealls went in their location. Dillards went out about 10 years ago and HEB renovated the center to highlight their store in the middle. The original location of HEB is where the fitness center is now. Sears is the only store in its original spot.

[SALaw1]

G Lee is right on about the auditorium under Sears. I believe it was intended to be a community center of sorts. It was definitely never city hall. Part of it today looks like it is frozen in time somewhere in the mid 1960s. That part looks like what you'd expect to see in an early suburban mall (as Hancock was) complete with lettering in 50s/60s-style modern typeface. It is my understanding that it fell into disuse due to modern fire laws/ ADA compliance (or lack thereof). NormalgeNyus, I'm curious how you were able to see any of it, as there is only one active entrance that I know of; but, that entrance does not go directly to the part described.

Edit: By the way, you can find old photos of Hancock at the Austin History Center. I know that they have some photos of the mall at its height and the Hancock farm that predated the mall. I don't think there are any photos of the auditorium area, but it is worth checking (and free) at the history center.

[Mopacs]

One item of note regarding Hancock: I believe the Dillard's closed shortly after they took over the old Joske's department store at Highland Mall. (The whole SA-based chain was bought out by Dillards). This was circa 1987 as I recall. For about a 2-3 year period in the early 90s, portions of the old Dillards space became a Phar-Mor 'superstore' There were at least 4-5 around the metro, including Parmer @ Mopac, and 183 @ Lake Creek Parkway (i'm going off on a tangent, I know).

Other tenants at Hancock included a Waldenbooks and an El Chico. Whats funny is, the outdoor/courtyard design is not much different from what is trendy these days.

[Mopacs]

Check out Hancock circa 1971 (from www.texasfreeways.com (http://www.texasfreeways.com))

http://www.texasfreeway.com/Austin/historic/photos/i35/images/i35_austin_4_23_71.jpg

[MichaelB]

One item of note regarding Hancock: I believe the Dillard's closed shortly after they took over the old Joske's department store at Highland Mall. (The whole SA-based chain was bought out by Dillards). This was circa 1987 as I recall. For about a 2-3 year period in the early 90s, portions of the old Dillards space became a Phar-Mor 'superstore' There were at least 4-5 around the metro, including Parmer @ Mopac, and 183 @ Lake Creek Parkway (i'm going off on a tangent, I know).

Other tenants at Hancock included a Waldenbooks and an El Chico. Whats funny is, the outdoor/courtyard design is not much different from what is trendy these days.

You are very right about what the format was.... indeed we have returned to that same plan! I didn't remember the Dillards... but now it makes sense
cause we got here in '87

[Mopacs]

You are very right about what the format was.... indeed we have returned to that same plan! I didn't remember the Dillards... but now it makes sense
cause we got here in '87

Hancock was in pretty bad shape by the early 90s (the decline began well before that). If I recall, the HEB moved twice over the years, with the most recent iteration facing Red River (where 24hr Fitness is now).

Speaking of shopping centers of old, we are now officially at the end of an era. The demolition of Northcross Mall has begun, starting with the central ice rink/food court sections. Here are a few photos I took this afternoon:

http://images43.fotki.com/v1324/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080344-vi.jpg

http://images34.fotki.com/v1121/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080332-vi.jpg

http://images42.fotki.com/v1316/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080333-vi.jpg

http://images44.fotki.com/v1355/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080339-vi.jpg

http://images40.fotki.com/v1331/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080341-vi.jpg

http://images45.fotki.com/v1361/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080350-vi.jpg

http://images43.fotki.com/v1326/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080354-vi.jpg

http://images45.fotki.com/v1362/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080359-vi.jpg

This was the main entrance, facing Anderson Lane:

http://images41.fotki.com/v1346/photos/5/54967/300796/P1080373-vi.jpg

And now we can look forward to this... :)

http://bp0.blogger.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/SIlSziFPJaI/AAAAAAAABKY/nWB9mZJg0oE/s400/wal-mart+1976.jpg
http://bp0.blogger.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/SIlSziFPJaI/AAAAAAAABKY/nWB9mZJg0oE/s1600-h/wal-mart+1976.jpg

[nixcity]

^All that demo. instead of just trying to increase density in the area that could have supported the reatail there. Shame on RG4N.

[austin242]

I agree now its just demolition for the sake of demolition not really much more.

[Tower Freak]

Does anybody know of any new news on 21C? Besides getting locked out of their office.:D

Springs crane looks great raised.

The North Cross Mall demolition is interesting. I hope Guitar Center is not part of the demolition?

[Mopacs]

Here's a few random skyline shots taken early yesterday morning (10/24):

http://images35.fotki.com/v1128/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1080429-vi.jpg

http://images40.fotki.com/v1338/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1080406-vi.jpg


http://images35.fotki.com/v1209/photos/5/54967/5804014/P1080432-vi.jpg

[Mopacs]

Does anybody know of any new news on 21C? Besides getting locked out of their office.:D

Springs crane looks great raised.

The North Cross Mall demolition is interesting. I hope Guitar Center is not part of the demolition?

Guitar Center is still going strong. Basically the eastern 1/3rd of the mall (including the old Bealls) is still standing, but otherwise 'gutted' and reconstructed. A few stores continue to operate in the same space (Guitar Center, Wallpapers to Go), while others relocated from the condemned side of the mall, including the ice rink, Gallery of Salons, Norris Convention center/Red Oak ballroom, and a few other small businesses.

The remainder of the ole' mall is making way for the Wal-Mart, including the former ice rink and Sports Authority. I am curious as to the final scale and configuration of the store. As you know, the company scaled back their plans for a 2-story 'super center'.

I spent my entire childhood at this mall, so to be honest this is kind of a depressing moment for me... watching the demolition. While there's no denying the mall has been 'dead' for the better part of a decade, it still seems like a waste, given what is replacing it.

[Mopacs]

Here's a rendering of the new, scaled-down Walmart. What a waste :(

http://images35.fotki.com/v1132/photos/5/54967/5155780/NewWalMart-vi.jpg

Northcross Site Plan

http://images35.fotki.com/v1154/photos/5/54967/5155780/NorthcrossSitePlant-vi.jpg

http://www.cencorrealty.com/

[JACKinBeantown]

Yeah... a strip mall... with a Wal-Mart. Yeah!

[TXAlex]

Look at all of that glorious parking.

[Saddle Man]

That is going to be such a crap-fest.

[bigdogc]

a walgreens too, what a horrible plan. as a pharmacy student, i would suggest you go to a local pharmacy like northwest hills or such instead of big chains. :slob:

[MichaelB]

this is truly a sad piece of crap. What a waste of land. Isn't this actually less dense than the mall?

[Tower Freak]

Here's a rendering of the new, scaled-down Walmart. What a waste :(

http://images35.fotki.com/v1132/photos/5/54967/5155780/NewWalMart-vi.jpg

Northcross Site Plan

http://images35.fotki.com/v1154/photos/5/54967/5155780/NorthcrossSitePlant-vi.jpg

http://www.cencorrealty.com/

Yep, that looks like poop on a stick. I have only been in Austin for about four
and a half years now, and it still makes me sad to see all of the historic things gone in that area for a poopy little Wall Mart.

[hookem]

Yep, that looks like poop on a stick. I have only been in Austin for about four
and a half years now, and it still makes me sad to see all of the historic things gone in that area for a poopy little Wall Mart.

I don't know if I'd call anything there "historic"... but I also will miss the eerie emptiness and decline (although safe, unlike other dead-mall areas in DFW) of Northcross. I too had many good memories there back in the late 80's/early 90's as a college student. Even then it seemed in decline.

So there was no doubt it was going to go, although it dodged so many bullets in the past. And yeah, that is an awful lot of parking lot for a "close in" neighborhood like Allandale. Such a shame.

BTW, what is "Elevation Burger"?? Over on the left side, by the detention pond?

[KevinFromTexas]

A few pics I took tonight after UT barely won over OSU.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20pics/P1230650EDIT.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20pics/P1230655EDIT.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20pics/P1230660EDIT.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20pics/P1230664EDIT.jpg

[austin242]

It does and doesn't sadden me those people get what they deserve a piece of crap because that is what they are for destroying a ok project and making it the worst thing it could have possibly been.:haha:

[Mopacs]

BTW, what is "Elevation Burger"?? Over on the left side, by the detention pond?

Looks like another upstart fast-casual burger chain:
http://www.elevationburger.com/

And I see a CiCi's Pizza is coming to Allendale! Enjoy all-you-can-eat cardboard pizza!

[Mopacs]

Great pics Kevin! Love the close-up shots of the illuminated top.