[KevinFromTexas]

Make a reservation, or you'll have a looooooong wait.

Thanks for the tip. I've never been there and actually got a gift card to eat there with my family for doing the model for the developer. It'll be fun. :)


Has anyone heard the outcome of the vote by city council on the post office towers? They were supposed to be voting on it lastnight.


In other news...

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/24/24concordia.html

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL
Council sets special Monday meeting on Concordia project
Campus would include hotel, offices and university

AMERICAN STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, March 23, 2007

The Austin City Council postponed for a second time today the final zoning vote on the proposed multimillion dollar redevelopment of the Concordia University campus.

The Council has scheduled a special meeting Monday afternoon for the vote. That pushes action down to the wire for developers to be able to close on schedule Thursday on the purchase of the 22-acre campus at Interstate 35 and 32nd Street.

Officials of Concordia said any delay wouldjeopardize their deal to buy the former Schlumberger office campus in North Austin, which they want to make the university's new home. That deal also is set to close Thursday.

The Council was scheduled to vote Thursday on the East Avenue project, which had made its way through all of the city approval steps and preliminary Council approval.

But the vote was tabled because some key documents were not ready. The documents still weren't complete this afternoon.

Some council members said they didn't like the fact that they were under pressure to rush through a vote on such a major project without all the pieces in place.

The East Avenue developers are proposing to build 1,400 residences, several hundred thousand square feet of office and retail space and a hotel on the campus. Some neighbors said that level of density is out of place near residential neighborhoods, and raised concerns about the increased traffic the project would generate.

[Kropotkin]

What's the latest on Spring?

I rode by the site-to-be and the current structure is still there and the utilities are connected, etc.

I wonder if we have another La Vista on Lavaca on our hands?

[AustinGuy]

What's the latest on Spring?


As far as I know, they've been busy trying to convert their reservations into actual contracts these last few weeks. I'm curious as to how well that process is going. Has anyone on the forum purchased one?

[Kevinb]

I recently stopped by Spring for a "Conversion Event". The sales office is very nice and staff friendly. The Prices are clearly marked and attached to the floorplan displays. Based upon the building diagram and "sold" stickers, I counted 68 sales. Very low pressure sales situation - I wasn't even asked if I was interested! Maybe they thought I was another firefighter or teacher that was mostly interested in having my deposit refunded...

[sakyle04]

Maybe they thought I was another firefighter or teacher that was mostly interested in having my deposit refunded...


:haha:

[Strayone]

The website for the Block 21 developers Boka Powell shows a project called 98 San Jacinto residences, how come we never hear anything about this? Is this otherwise known as the Four Seasons residences?

[KevinFromTexas]

Is this otherwise known as the Four Seasons residences?

Yes. Check the first page of this thread for info on it. And check the rendering's post in this thread. It's the 2nd post in the first page of this thread. It's under approved.

The original article about the annoucement of the project is in the old thread. To get there you have to go into the thread archive. Use that scroll down list at the bottom right and scroll it down all the way to the bottom. The thread archive is the last section on that list. You can do that or go directly to the thread's link, (which would be easier), just go to page 1 of this thread and it's linked there at the very top of the thread and highlighted in red bold letters.

[GoldenBoot]

590-KLBJ Radio news-blurb... (http://www.590klbj.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=65679)


http://www.590klbj.com/EI/T/Pics/Channels/KLBJ-AM/Exterior%20nose.jpg

[JACKinNYC]

Sweet!

[Kropotkin]

Sweetness.

[KevinFromTexas]

Awesome!

[OfCourse]

Hey, that looks great! I can't wait to hop on.

[Strayone]

Oh man I wanna ride it just for fun, and free wi/fi to boot.

[KevinFromTexas]

Does anyone know how much it'll cost to ride?

[Mopacs]

From today's Austin Business Journal web edition:

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/03/26/daily20.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Commuter rail gets closer with new trains

Austin Business Journal - 11:48 AM CDT Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Capital Metro (http://www.bizjournals.com/search/bin/search?q=%22Capital%20Metro%22&t=austin)'s first urban commuter rail train is a long way from home at Stadler Rail Group's Switzerland manufacturing plant, but it's already making an impact in Austin as the first of six diesel-electric trains to have finished assembly.

Stadler has begun static testing of the rail train, and will begin track testing in the next few months. The new train will arrive in Austin for more track testing here this fall. Cap Metro purchased the six rail cars from Stadler for more than $30 million

The six trains will make up Austin's commuter rail fleet, scheduled to begin running every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours from Leander to downtown Austin. Commuter rail service is scheduled to begin in late 2008.

Each train will have room for approximately 200 passengers, or 108 seated.

MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go long-range transit plan, which also includes expanded local and express bus service, park and ride services, rapid bus service and possibly more rail service in Central Texas.

[Northcrossed]

Does anyone know how much it'll cost to ride?

About a billion dollars.

[MichaelB]

About a billion dollars.

bitter

[M1EK]

Here's the picture of the vehicle you'll be transferring to once you get off the train at the train station. Not quite as exciting.

http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog-img/nwtc-front-pic.png

More here... (http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog/archives/000403.html)

[sakyle04]

:previous: The rendering is missing about 412 cars that would be stacked up in the lane on the left-hand side there. One lane for cars in DT Austin? :haha:

[M1EK]

:previous: The rendering is missing about 412 cars that would be stacked up in the lane on the left-hand side there. One lane for cars in DT Austin? :haha:

Actually, it's fair - there's not much car traffic on this street today. But what that says about the commuter rail line is even worse - the reason there's not much car traffic is that this part of downtown is dead as a doornail - the only activity is the Convention Center (which, unfortunately, squats over about 4 city blocks) and the big Hilton.

The Convention Center doesn't exactly have a lot of daily commuters - and the Hilton employees are largely the transit-dependent (already taking the bus in large numbers). The office workers we're supposed to be shooting for with this rail start are a half-mile or more away out by Congress (too far for most people to be willing to walk every day, hence the circulator even for downtown).

[sakyle04]

:previous:
That's supposed to be over there?!?!?

Then it's even funnier!! :haha:

I love Austin, but I don't know why thousands of people would want to be dropped off there... Shame.

I stayed at the Hilton one Friday night and I think I could have taken a nap in the streets outside it. Eerily quiet.

[Gallup]

Here is the link to the Chronicle article:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A458459

RE: 360

I've been wondering about the NE view, and how the Post office tower will affect the view of the capitol for those units. Definately keep that in mind when selecting a unit. On the "views" section of the 360 website you can make out Republic Square park and imagine a tower in the block North of it.

There is no way the PO tower will block many of the 360 views of the Capital. I watched the Design Commission meeting and the PO tower will be built on the southern portion of the block. On the same hand, the crane is on the eastside of 360 and is further south than midway. It may block some of the southeast units, but they will still have a killer view. The building that I think will have the best view will be the one on Block 51. Channel 6 is really great. Because of it I don’t mind that I missed out on 360. We will live in either Block 51 or the CLB project.

[Gallup]

Maybe they thought I was another firefighter or teacher that was mostly interested in having my deposit refunded...

That is wrong, so wrong. But funny as hell. :haha:

[ivanwolf]

I was wondering if anyone knows what is going up in place of the Poke E Joes that they closed down on Monday on 5th street? I thought it was Apt. but I also have heard Condo's. What do you know, any Renders?

I noticed a new sign go up at 13th and San Antonio St. for an 8 (i think) story office building. Looks like they will take up parking lot and an existing office/home to build this building. The render on the sign looks like a decent design. Who knows when it will go up. TheDupontGroup.com is the web site but I did not see any info on the web Site.

[KevinFromTexas]

^ I don't know, anyone else? :shrugs:


Some interesting news from tomorrow's paper.

Click on the link below for a map of the area.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/03/30/30rainey.html

REAL ESTATE
13 acres of downtown for sale
Sellers envision plan that includes residential, retail, restaurant and hotel components.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Friday, March 30, 2007

Thirteen acres of prime real estate in downtown Austin are up for grabs, the largest offering of private property in the city's core.

Much of the land is in the historic Rainey Street area, which in 2005 was rezoned for higher-density development like the rest of downtown.

About half of the 13 acres is owned by local developers Perry Lorenz and Robert Knight; the rest is listed for sale by Knight Real Estate Corp.

The buyer will have a rare, even unprecedented, opportunity to transform an overlooked gateway into downtown into a signature project, Knight said.

"We want to get this in the hands of someone who can maximize its potential," Knight said. "We're hoping there's some major redeveloper out there who realizes this is a major opportunity to control a key piece of real estate downtown . . . and create the finest example of urban development in the country."

The goal is for a "master developer," or a team or even teams of developers, to come up with a plan that complements the high-rise residential, hotel and other projects being built or planned in the area.

Those projects include the 22-story Shore condominium tower, an adjacent boutique hotel and a 31-story luxury apartment building by Legacy Partners at Rainey and Cummings streets.

"Obviously, there's a lot of activity going on down there," Knight said. "But what's missing is any kind of planned, cohesive development."

For years, Knight and Lorenz have tried to get the area's numerous property owners to sell their holdings, with little luck.

Now, they are hoping a developer or team with more negotiating power and the financial clout can persuade the owners to sell.

Potentially, the winning developer could end up with 25 to 30 acres, depending on whether other owners decide to sell, Knight said.

"We want to get the combined experience and the patience and the capital to do Rainey Street right and turn it into a really nice neighborhood, not just a bunch of individual buildings popping up," Knight said.

"I don't want to claim I'm altruistic, but it would be easy for us to sell our pieces individually and let the chips fall where they may. But we want this to be a really good place for people to live in an urban environment that fits the model that the City of Austin says it wants," he said.

And, he said, "Perry and I have a little ego in this. We've been working on it a long time and want to see it done right."

Knight envisions a "classic mixed-use neighborhood" that would include residential, retail, restaurant and hotel components.

Knight and Lorenz will publicize the offering in the several months, seeking expressions of interest and developers' ideas now, not bids.

They also will send details of the offering to developers who have expressed interest over the years. Knight said he and Lorenz want to avoid more of what has been happening, with people cherry-picking and developing parcels piecemeal.

Legacy Partners is buying some of the land from Lorenz and Knight for its luxury apartment project.

The two also own land at the southwest corner of Red River and East Cesar Chavez Street, where Constellation Property Group plans to build a mixed-use project.

Constellation originally proposed a condo and a hotel tower, each with about 30 stories.

But Constellation President Eugene Marchese said Thursday that the latest plan is for a single tower of about 27 stories with condominiums and retail.

Constellation does not have the land under contract, although it has in the past.

Included in the 13-acre offering is land at the end of Red River Street, where the Villas on Town Lake condominiums are located.

Knight has the listing for the Villas property.

Built in 1982, the Villas' 54 units are home to about 75 to 100 people, said Michael Abraham, secretary of the homeowners association board.

The association voted to include the Villas land in the offering after an informal poll of owners found strong support.

He said the board wants to make an informed decision about its future, "and exploring the option of a sale is a way to educate ourselves about our options."

The homeowners association bylaws state that if 80 percent of the owners want to sell their units, the remaining 20 percent would be required to sell as well, Abraham said.

[crewer]

^ I don't know, anyone else? :shrugs:


Some interesting news from tomorrow's paper.

Click on the link below for a map of the area.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/03/30/30rainey.html

REAL ESTATE
13 acres of downtown for sale
Sellers envision plan that includes residential, retail, restaurant and hotel components.


I wouldn't hold my breath on this one. We've been down this road before.

[M1EK]

I was wondering if anyone knows what is going up in place of the Poke E Joes that they closed down on Monday on 5th street? I thought it was Apt. but I also have heard Condo's. What do you know, any Renders?

5th Street Commons (http://www.urbanaustin.org/index.php/5th_Street_Commons). Apartments by Gables; retail at ground-level.

PDF file with some renderings here (http://directdevelopment.biz/property/pdf/Emailer%205th%20Street_5-12-06.pdf)

[DTAustin]

Here's the picture of the vehicle you'll be transferring to once you get off the train at the train station. Not quite as exciting.

http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog-img/nwtc-front-pic.png

More here... (http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog/archives/000403.html)

From what I am hearing from Cap Metro, I don't think this is an accurate rendering, at least initially. The stop is going to be a platform on the side of the road, most likely in front of one of the Railyard buildings on either 4th and Brazos or 4th and Trinity. Apparently the Hilton and the Convention Center don't want a stop too close to their buildings because they are afraid of "undesirables."

Also, the vehicle traffic on 4th street at night is horrible, and during the day it is busy. It has become a major road to cross the eastern half of downtown. The pedestrian traffic is not as heavy as Congress or 2nd street, but it sees a lot of convention and hotel visitors.

Does anyone have anymore solid info?

[ivanwolf]

Thanks M1EK for the post on the 5th Street Commons, thats what i was looking for.

I wonder now how Gables is doing on their plans for next to the Seaholm plant are going, I would like to see those too, or when do they plan on starting work there.

[Mopacs]

The Austin American-Statesman has an article this morning on the Four Seasons Residences...set to rise later this year, next to its namesake hotel. BTW: I thought it was to be taller than 30 stories?

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/03/31/31fourseasons.html

Four Seasons' condos set to rise

Renowned Michael Graves firm is designing the 30-story tower.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, March 31, 2007

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/05/87/52/image_5252875.jpg
http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/00/84/52/image_5252840.jpg


The Four Seasons Residences is poised to break ground this fall, bringing a design by an internationally renowned architect to the shores of Town Lake. Michael Graves & Associates Inc. will design the 30-story, brick and glass condominium tower, which will be built adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel.

The hotel company will manage the building.
The project is being developed by Austin-based Ardent Residential and Atlanta-based Post Properties. Post is financing the project, which is expected to cost at least $100 million.

7 That means the developers won't have to presell a certain number of units to get a construction loan, a hurdle that other downtown projects face.

The 166 units at the Four Season Residences, Town Lake Austin, will be priced from the upper $400,000s to $2 million.
Sizes will range from 1,000 square feet to 2,700 square feet for penthouse units on the 28th and 29th floors.
All units will have balconies, and the top floor will hold a rooftop pool and facilities for entertaining.

A previous effort to build a residential tower next to Austin's top hotel was shelved when the economy went into a downturn in 2001.
In the interim, downtown has experienced a residential boom that is filling the skyline with upscale condominium and apartment high-rises.
Art Carpenter, an Ardent partner, was involved in the original project when he was with developer Maritz, Wolf & Co.

"I don't know that Austin was ready for it in 2000, but seven years later, I'm confident that it is," he said Friday. "The relatively high pricing is no longer incongruous with the larger market."
Ardent and Post bought the 1.6-acre site in 2005 and last year said it was ready to go forward.

The project is the first in Austin for the Graves firm, known for founder Michael Graves' groundbreaking postmodern designs.
Edward Tuck, a principal at the firm and one of Carpenter's Princeton University classmates, is the lead architect for the project.
The design will feature a terra cotta base with a light-color tower.
Carpenter and his Ardent partner, Brett Denton, said a traditional brick tower was chosen to complement the hotel and nearby office tower.

"We wanted it to look like it was meant to be there," Carpenter said.
Residents will have access to the hotel's services and amenities.
The condo tower also will have a lap pool, fitness center and spa on the sixth floor.

One other downtown condominium project, the proposed 55-story Austonian at Congress Avenue and Second Street, is targeting the ultra-luxury market, with prices starting at $500,000.
Developers have said they hope to break ground this year.
Charles Heimsath, president of Capital Market Research, said the staggered timing of these and other luxury market projects "should keep the high-end market from being overbuilt."

The Four Seasons project is expected to open in late 2009.
Carpenter said the importance of having the Four Seasons name on a building designed by a world-class architectural firm can't be underestimated. He said the Austin hotel is one of Four Seasons' "most successful and best-loved."

The hotel is undergoing a $15 million renovation that will include an expanded spa, remodeling of the restaurant and makeovers for the guest rooms.

For the condominium project, Post Executive Vice President David Ward expects potential buyers to include affluent empty-nesters, professionals who want an urban lifestyle, some second-home owners, people with University of Texas ties and residents of other states who do business in Austin.

Dallas-based Al Coker & Associates will market the units.
Coker also is marketing the Shore condominiums on the east side of downtown.

-------------

Location:

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/01/84/52/image_5252841.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

I really wish they'd pick a facade design there and stick with it. It looks like a napolean Popsicle.

Not sure why they scaled it down. Didn't this building get approved by the city council? Originally it was supposed to have 38 floors.

[GoldenBoot]

Don’t fret, it is taller! The mention of 30 stories in the article was a typo. Additionally, if you count the levels in the rendering you will see that the tower is still at its proposed 38 stories tall...

Also, the W Austin Hotel & Residences has begun its marketing campaign. I'll scan the ad and post it later. However, they have a simple website up and will be adding more content soon...

W Austin Hotel & Residences (http://block21residences.com)

[AustinGuy]

Also, the W Austin Hotel & Residences has begun its marketing campaign. I'll scan the ad and post it later. However, they have a simple website up and will be adding more content soon...

W Austin Hotel & Residences (http://block21residences.com)

Are there any rumors as to what the price range and unit sizes of the W will be? Judging from other Ws, it'll probably have a great bar and restaurant in it as well.

[LiveattheOasis]

I really wish they'd pick a facade design there and stick with it. It looks like a napolean Popsicle.

Not sure why they scaled it down. Didn't this building get approved by the city council? Originally it was supposed to have 38 floors.

Do you mean Neapolitan? I actually kinda like it, though it's on the edge of taking us to Miami.

[GoldenBoot]

Are there any rumors as to what the price range and unit sizes of the W will be? Judging from other Ws, it'll probably have a great bar and restaurant in it as well.


From what I've heard, the units should start around $375-400k and got up to "several million" for the penthouse(s). However, I'm not certain of the unit sizes at this time.

In fact, a friend of our family was among several people who have already reserved units in this development - even as far back as two years ago.

[GoldenBoot]

The following is the W’s ad from the back cover of the April edition of Tribeza Magazine. The W will officially launch their sales program this summer, coinciding with the opening of their sales center. Additionally, this month's Tribeza magazine also had two, full-page ads for The Austonian (who's sales center should be opening up this month.

http://www.urbanaustin.org/images/9/9c/WAustinAD.jpg

[M1EK]

From what I am hearing from Cap Metro, I don't think this is an accurate rendering, at least initially. The stop is going to be a platform on the side of the road, most likely in front of one of the Railyard buildings on either 4th and Brazos or 4th and Trinity.

This image was from the pre-election publicity campaign - the purpose was not to show the type of stop, but to show the type of circulator vehicle, and the fact that, yes, Capital Metro expects to use shuttle buses even for downtown workers despite what some naive fools here think about office workers in Austin being willing to walk farther than the standard 1/4 mile rule of thumb each way.

[Mopacs]

Here's the latest of my 'drive-bys" ...Construction progresses steadily on the three most active projects: AMLI 2 (topped out), 360 (15 stories), Monarch (16-17 stories):

Start with Monarch:

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270098-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270095-vi.jpg

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270114-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270102-vi.jpg

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270122-vi.jpg

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270124-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270159-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v725/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270294-vi.jpg

360:

http://images22.fotki.com/v752/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270121-vi.jpg

http://images22.fotki.com/v752/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270130-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v756/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270155-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v758/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270154-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270202-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v759/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270301-vi.jpg

AMLI2

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270145-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270196-vi.jpg

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270212-vi.jpg

Overall Shots:

http://images21.fotki.com/v760/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270287-vi.jpg

http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270298-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v725/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270292-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v759/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270253-vi.jpg

Future site of the 55-story Austonian; existing buildings have been cleared:

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270180-vi.jpg

The Shore, from the Ann Richards/Congress Bridge

http://images21.fotki.com/v759/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270188-vi.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

Great shots there, Mopacs! Very nice. Yeah I went down to St. Edward's Saturday and took some skyline shots from there. With the weather being so beautiful this weekend, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

This shot is nuts. 3 new towers up in the air, and the crane up for another one. :eek:
http://images21.fotki.com/v760/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270287-vi.jpg

[pyropius]

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270159-vi.jpg


Nice, I didn't know Austin was getting its own Casa Mañana!

[Mopacs]

Crestview Station moves forward with the anouncement of homebuilders. See today's statesman article below...

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/04/03/3crestview.html

Crestview Station moves forward

Developers of mixed-use community in North Austin name Meritage and Newmark as home builders.

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/09/78/58/image_5258789.jpg

By M.B. Taboada
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Plans are picking up speed to turn a former North Austin industrial site into the $200 million Crestview Station, which will be one of Austin's biggest transit-oriented developments.

Meritage Homes and Newmark Homes will build the 450 single-family houses at Crestview Station, where housing, offices and stores will be built on 73 acres once occupied by a Huntsman Corp. research facility.

Developers Stratus Properties Inc. and Trammell Crow Co. are expected to submit a site plan application to the city within the week.
"It will be a catalyst for redevelopment of the area," Stratus CEO Beau Armstrong said Monday.

The project, which is bordered on one side by the future Capital Metro commuter rail line, is designed as a community where people will be able to live, work and shop without having to drive.

A commuter rail station is planned for Lamar and Airport boulevards.
"Crestview Station is probably one of the most exciting projects coming together in Austin right now," said Eric DeJernett, senior vice president and a Crestview project coordinator for Trammell Crow. "People in this area really will be able to live in an environment where they don't have to have a car or at least not have to rely on a car all the time."

The homes will be on narrow lots, 25 to 30 feet wide, and prices will start in the $250,000s, Armstrong said.
High Street Residential, a Trammell Crow subsidiary, will build the multifamily component.

The mix will include live-work units and loft-style apartments.
The project will have about 150,000 square feet of retail and office space.
Developers recently completed a $3 million soil environmental cleanup of the site, bordered by North Lamar Boulevard, Morrow Street and the rail line, and are awaiting a closure letter from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The first phase, which might break ground this summer, will include 300 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail.
The retail will include restaurants, stores and probably a small grocery market.

The housing is expected to be completed by fall 2008, coinciding with the opening of the rail line.

Other multifamily units will follow market demand and probably will not be built until the first phase is complete.

Crestview "really represents the best practices nationally in urban redevelopment next to a rail station," said City Council Member Brewster McCracken, who is also a Capital Metro board member. "It's important to promote development next to the rail stop. More people will ride the rail if it's done that way."

Developers also will renovate the North Austin Optimist ball fields at the northwest corner of the site, DeJernett said.

Area residents are excited about the transformation of an industrial site into a development that fits into the neighborhood's character.
"It's going to look like a part of town that is in town versus industrial edge of town," said Katrina Daniel, president of the Highland Neighborhood Association, which represents a neighborhood across Lamar from Crestview. "We're excited about all the prospects. . . . Right now, we don't have much to walk to eat or shop. This will afford us those kinds of opportunities."

[tildahat]

Crestview Station moves forward with the anouncement of homebuilders. See today's statesman article below...
....

Crestview "really represents the best practices nationally in urban redevelopment next to a rail station," said City Council Member Brewster McCracken, who is also a Capital Metro board member. "It's important to promote development next to the rail stop. More people will ride the rail if it's done that way."



I'll save M1KE the trouble of asking: "Where are Crestview Station residents going to ride the train to?" If you work downtown, UT, the Capital, state offices at 51st, etc. the #1, #101, and rapid bus if it ever happens are your best transit options.

Having said that, I think it's a pretty good development. If they had stuck to their original "starting around $175k" estimate, I'd be interested. Don't have a quarter mil to throw around though...

[crewer]

I'll save M1KE the trouble of asking: "Where are Crestview Station residents going to ride the train to?" If you work downtown, UT, the Capital, state offices at 51st, etc. the #1, #101, and rapid bus if it ever happens are your best transit options.

Having said that, I think it's a pretty good development. If they had stuck to their original "starting around $175k" estimate, I'd be interested. Don't have a quarter mil to throw around though...

As is the case with any new rail system, you have to start someplace. Crestview Village isn't going away after a year or two. It'll be there for decades. A lot of rail will be coming beyond this first line that will better connect it to the rest of the city.

I'm not surprised with the pricing. You might have noticed that the only housing in the Mueller project in the low to mid 100's were their "affordable" units which require special qualification. The rest of the housing is in line with Crestview.

Now that the subprime is tanking and people are a lot more apprehensive about all the "creative financing" previously used to get people into unaffordable homes, it will be interesting to see if fewer people will qualify for Crestview and Mueller, and if there will be a slowdown in "closings".

[M1EK]

As is the case with any new rail system, you have to start someplace. Crestview Village isn't going away after a year or two. It'll be there for decades. A lot of rail will be coming beyond this first line that will better connect it to the rest of the city.

What rail, exactly? This commuter rail line precludes running light rail as in the 2000 proposal, so we can't run reserved-guideway rail down Lamar and Guadalupe. What other rail do you mean? Shitty stuck-in-traffic streetcars?

Do you mean they'll ride up to the "second downtown"? When it requires a circulator transfer too? Unfrigginlikely (http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog/archives/000401.html). (the rail line actually running next to this project is the UP rail line, not the CM one, and there's no point to transfer between the two other than Seaholm, which is not planned to happen without a third transfer to streetcar in between).

I covered Crestview Station this morning in this crackplog (http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog/archives/000405.html).

The "have to start somewhere" line depends on the thing you're doing actually being a start to something rather than an END to it, which is what this will end up being. Remember "let's ride and then decide"? What do you think's gonna happen with the fence-sitters when they see how few people are riding this thing when it opens?

[GoldenBoot]

Notice the 412', 36-story Altavida tower in this rendering (which is currently under construction)...


From Zeigler Cooper's website:
http://www.zieglercooper.com/live/graphics/congress%20condos/web_THE%20AUSTONIAN-NIGHT-2.jpg



P.S.
The Austonian's site plan is currently under review and should be approved by the City of Austin within the next month or two...

[KevinFromTexas]

I noticed a new sign go up at 13th and San Antonio St. for an 8 (i think) story office building. Looks like they will take up parking lot and an existing office/home to build this building. The render on the sign looks like a decent design. Who knows when it will go up. TheDupontGroup.com is the web site but I did not see any info on the web Site.

I stopped by there yesterday to take a look. I took a couple of pics of the sign, too.

Capitol Commons: There's 5 levels of what looks to be occupied floors, and 3 levels of parking, and then maybe two extras for mechanical purposes? The rendering also shows what looks to be a small spire of some sort. Not sure on the height, but the three other buildings across the street are 120 and 122 feet tall, so this one will probably be about that height.

The site is at the northeast corner of West 13th Street & San Antonio Street, directly across the street, (north) of the Executive Office Building.
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8395/austincapitolcommons2aj6.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4107/austincapitolcommonsas4.jpg

[Strayone]

GoldenBoot posted this statement - Notice the 412', 36-story Altavida tower in this rendering (which is currently under construction)..
Yeah you have to think for The Austonian to show Altavida in their rendering it represents the fact that Altavida isn't a competitor, since they will be a for rent high end project. But it is interesting. Most of the renderings for other projects wont show the other buildings, even those under construction in their renderings. That segment of DT will really have a nice affect on the skyline.

[LiveattheOasis]

What's going to be nice is how dense this area of downtown will be. Does anyone have any news on Tom Stacy's building? It seems like he's waiting out construction of the Austonian, to make sure his building is at least 1 foot taller;)

[GoldenBoot]

What's going to be nice is how dense this area of downtown will be. Does anyone have any news on Tom Stacy's building? It seems like he's waiting out construction of the Austonian, to make sure his building is at least 1 foot taller;)

My bet is that Tom is in the process of incorporating office space into the mix of offerings at Fifth & Congress. By doing so, it may take some time to formulate the amount of space for each component (retail, office, hotel and/or condo) to fit within the confines of his zoning and FAR limits. Additionally, I believe he is also keeping his eye on the condo market before moving any further with that part of the mix. Tom's already put several hundred-thousand dollars (if not already over $1M) into the project. And therefore, I do not think he's going to give up on the idea very easily.

I will assume this; there will be a building at this location in the future. When, I do not know. And the mix, size and design of the structure may very well be altered.

[ivanwolf]

Thanks Kevin, i did not spend enough time looking to figure out that those other levels are parking. I guess retail on bottom, and the 4 stories on top for offices. Wonder if the balconies are for offices or if they have a few condos in mind for the project facing the Capitol. Seems like they will have to get rid of the 2 houses/offices on the property along with the small parking lot to build it.

[MichaelB]

My bet is that Tom is in the process of incorporating office space into the mix of offerings at Fifth & Congress. By doing so, it may take some time to formulate the amount of space for each component (retail, office, hotel and/or condo) to fit within the confines of his zoning and FAR limits. Additionally, I believe he is also keeping his eye on the condo market before moving any further with that part of the mix. Tom's already put several hundred-thousand dollars (if not already over $1M) into the project. And therefore, I do not think he's going to give up on the idea very easily.

I will assume this; there will be a building at this location in the future. When, I do not know. And the mix, size and design of the structure may very well be altered.

While mine is sheer conjecture.... my speculation tends to agree with you. Something will happen.... it is the mix that is in question. With the rise in downtown housing and the low availability of office space.... seems like time to go heavy with office space.... yes/no?

[LiveattheOasis]

I hope so, I read an article a while back about Vancouver and how they're entire downtown has become condos and hardly anyone works there anymore. They actually have traffic out to the suburbs. As much I am loving all the development downtown, we need to keep a mix.

[crewer]

While mine is sheer conjecture.... my speculation tends to agree with you. Something will happen.... it is the mix that is in question. With the rise in downtown housing and the low availability of office space.... seems like time to go heavy with office space.... yes/no?

I would agree with that. Was just reading in the business journal how office space is scarce and expensive right now. I actually think his building will be quite successful as a multi-use tower. Downtown housing will hit a saturation point very quickly, and I'm sure he knows that. So I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he was adding more square footage to the office portion.

[crewer]

I hope so, I read an article a while back about Vancouver and how they're entire downtown has become condos and hardly anyone works there anymore. They actually have traffic out to the suburbs. As much I am loving all the development downtown, we need to keep a mix.

Yep! I mentioned that sometime ago when there was all the talk of the second round of Novare building with several new condo towers where the current post office is. I said I would sure feel more comfortable if at least one of those towers was office space. Reverse commutes would be hell after awhile.

[Jdawgboy]

I agree, I think that 5th and Congress would be a great location for more office space and I also am speculating that is what Tom Stacy thinking about as well. Time will tell I guess...

[KevinFromTexas]

I got a height for 1108 Lavaca/Texas Automobile Dealer's Association Building. This is going up at 11th & Lavaca, across the street from the Westgate Tower.

First of all, he said the crane will be completed by the 14th or 15th. He said the building is planned for completion on April 9, 2008. The official name of the building is 1108 Lavaca.

The heights:

126 feet 4 inches to the parapet on the mechanical penthouse.
119 feet 8 inches to the roof of the mechanical penthouse.
88 feet to the the mainroof.

The building will have 9 floors. The building will have 20,000 square foot floorplates up to the 7th floor, then the two penthouse levels, 8 and 9, will have about 5,000 square feet each.

Rendering: (This is the current design). By the way, this officially makes it a highrise.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9083/austintexasautomobiledeca3.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintexasautomobiledeca3.jpg)


I also got a revised height for the Capitol Tower which is being renovated and may possibly have another floor added to it, which would be a residential level. The old height I had for the building was 242 feet. I got that height from the Austin History Center, but it isn't an exact height since it came from GIS Maps, which measure the ground elevation from satellites, then measures building heights. I've found the heights to be off by as much as 5 to 10 feet. I recently sent an email to the property managers of the building, and he came back with a height of 246 feet for the building. This is the height to the mechanical penthouse, measuring it from 9th Street. He said with the decorative crown they're planning to add, that it will increase the building's height to 259 feet. That won't really raise the building up in the height rankings, although it'll save it from being shorter than The Shore, which is 257 feet tall.
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1127/austincapitoltowerrom0.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austincapitoltowerrom0.jpg)

[Strayone]

I agree, I think that 5th and Congress would be a great location for more office space and I also am speculating that is what Tom Stacy thinking about as well. Time will tell I guess...

If it were to be more of a mixed use building or even more commercial as a whole, ie. more hotel/office, I'd like to see the design change some and for sure make it bigger and taller. It would have to be a premier building. And the flying hatchet design won't cut it. I like the design for the most part, but it is mostly designed for condos on the mid/ upper levels and it is bulky one way and narrow the other. It would need more balance and sq footage per floor. Just don't make it sqwaut like so many Austin buildings. Anyone know if Stacey is set on this design.

[ivanwolf]

I was looking around and noticed the Aquaterra's web site has a slide show in the residenses section, it has what looks like pics of the model they must have. Not sure how to capture them, maybe some one can and post them. Very interesting what they are doing with the pool. I like the building above the garage but the lower half is ugly. Seems like the 20 some story building is really only 10 stories of condos though.

I also drove by Red River Flats, sorry no camera with me but they have a hole in the ground and they are starting the supports for the garage structures under the building. I have not see any post about the one so thought I would mention it.

[KevinFromTexas]

^ I'm kind of not liking it actually. The base is too slabby/bulky and bland. And the building is just too long! Geez. I do like the design of the upper portions of the tower above the garage levels, and I do like the landscaping, but the base is dull, and it's so long. I actually wouldn't mind if they made the building taller and even cut it in half and put it into two towers of about about 250 feet. That thing is going to look strange there being that long. Height doesn't ever bother me, but the size of a building's footprint definitely does. And the building will be arranged in a north/south axis, so that length is going to block some views of the hills.

Last we heard, the building was supposed to be 199 feet with 19 floors.

[crewer]

I was looking around and noticed the Aquaterra's web site has a slide show in the residenses section, it has what looks like pics of the model they must have. Not sure how to capture them, maybe some one can and post them. Very interesting what they are doing with the pool. I like the building above the garage but the lower half is ugly. Seems like the 20 some story building is really only 10 stories of condos though.

I agree about the lower half. The ground level floors are ridiculous! 7 to 8 floors of practically solid wall? This is one high rise that needs a redesign before construction begins, if that's possible.


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7494/aquaterrajp0.jpg

[OfCourse]

I agree about the lower half. The ground level floors are ridiculous! 7 to 8 floors of practically solid wall? This is one high rise that needs a redesign before construction begins, if that's possible.


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7494/aquaterrajp0.jpg

OMG, what the duece! The bottom half looks terrible! Agreed on the redesign!

[MichaelB]

Re: Aquaterra. Does anyone know much about the site plan. I was wondering if thr part of the building in queston would be next to another building? It seems extremely unadorned given the rest of the design. I wonder if it will be seen? (cause it sho' is ugly!)

[Jdawgboy]

That is one ugly lower section to say the least. They need to change that design and I agree with Kevin, its way too long it should have a smaller footprint and alittle more vertical.

[ivanwolf]

Ok guys, gals, and those inbetween i took a look at the images for Aquaterra once again and figured out how to capture them. The pic that we started with is the side that should be facing the Chamber of Commerace (southwest), so that explains it blandness. The other side (norh west facing to downtown) is a little bit more appealing. I captured the images but image shack has yet to set up my account so i will try when i can get them up for you all. I do agree the top half is interesting and at least is not just a box, but the bottom could use some more style, front or back.

[MichaelB]

Ok guys, gals, and those inbetween i took a look at the images for Aquaterra once again and figured out how to capture them. The pic that we started with is the side that should be facing the Chamber of Commerace (southwest), so that explains it blandness. The other side (norh west facing to downtown) is a little bit more appealing. I captured the images but image shack has yet to set up my account so i will try when i can get them up for you all. I do agree the top half is interesting and at least is not just a box, but the bottom could use some more style, front or back.

Ah, ha..... that's what I was wondering. I went on the site today but could not find a plan for the property..... thanks.

[Mopacs]

Ok guys, gals, and those inbetween i took a look at the images for Aquaterra once again and figured out how to capture them. The pic that we started with is the side that should be facing the Chamber of Commerace (southwest), so that explains it blandness. The other side (norh west facing to downtown) is a little bit more appealing. I captured the images but image shack has yet to set up my account so i will try when i can get them up for you all. I do agree the top half is interesting and at least is not just a box, but the bottom could use some more style, front or back.

I agree, the design is a bit more appealing than what is indicated in the above rendering(s)...especially the cantilevered pool deck. Here are a few captures from the flash slideshow.. There are several more though:

http://images22.fotki.com/v757/photos/5/54967/2949615/Aqua5-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v758/photos/5/54967/2949615/Aqua6-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/5/54967/2949615/Aqua8-vi.jpg

[crewer]

I agree, the design is a bit more appealing than what is indicated in the above rendering(s)...especially the cantilevered pool deck. Here are a few captures from the flash slideshow..

The cantilever pool is irrelevant, as far as I'm concerned. It's nice if you live there, but no one on the ground level will ever see it. And in terms of good architecture, this building is awash. It has some redeeming style to the upper levels, but the fact that they would slap that down on a bland parking garage is inexcusable. It's cheap design! I don't care if the worst side faces the back. No side should look like crap, since every side will be in the line of someone's view.

Is the front view better? I don't think so. The very least they could have done was the first floor or two in retail for at least some street appeal.

[pyropius]

Isn't this going to tucked between existing buildings? Maybe the impact of all the OVERWHELMING UGLINESS will be lessened. Seriously, if out in the open, this would go a long way to ruin the hike and bike path.

[JACKinNYC]

POS not worthy of Austin.

[Mopacs]

The cantilever pool is irrelevant, as far as I'm concerned. It's nice if you live there, but no one on the ground level will ever see it. And in terms of good architecture, this building is awash. It has some redeeming style to the upper levels, but the fact that they would slap that down on a bland parking garage is inexcusable. It's cheap design! I don't care if the worst side faces the back. No side should look like crap, since every side will be in the line of someone's view.

Is the front view better? I don't think so. The very least they could have done was the first floor or two in retail for at least some street appeal.

You make a very good point, regarding the pool deck. It looks 'neat' from the renderings' birds-eye views, but wont look like much more than a protruding concrete slab from below. The only hope at this point is if the lower half renderings are preliminary and design changes are forthcoming. Street-level retail would be great.

[DTAustin]

You make a very good point, regarding the pool deck. It looks 'neat' from the renderings' birds-eye views, but wont look like much more than a protruding concrete slab from below. The only hope at this point is if the lower half renderings are preliminary and design changes are forthcoming. Street-level retail would be great.

Something has to change because street-level retail is required by the city for all new buildings downtown.

[pyropius]

Is it "downtown" even though it's across the river?

[HiRyzr]

Does anyone know the status of ground breakings for Hotel Van Zandt (other than lot is cleared), Legacy @ Town Lake (scheduled to break ground in March), and Spring (rescheduled for April)?

[360]

Anybody bought units from Spring?
Were they able to sell well?
What is current sales figure?
I heard 360 passed 85% from salesman two weeks back.

360

[sc1264]

Let me be yet another to complain about the abomination that is Aquaterra. Hell, I didn't realize Soviet-style architecture was coming back in ...

Seriously, how can any self-respecting architect come up with something like that? I'm sure it's driven by the developers "specficiations" but it wouldn't take a genius to make something that is at least SOMEWHAT appealing.

[crewer]

Let me be yet another to complain about the abomination that is Aquaterra. Hell, I didn't realize Soviet-style architecture was coming back in ...

Seriously, how can any self-respecting architect come up with something like that? I'm sure it's driven by the developers "specficiations" but it wouldn't take a genius to make something that is at least SOMEWHAT appealing.

Well, maybe if they made the cantilevered swimming pool a waterfall, then planted all sorts of tropical vegetation at the base....

What puzzles me is why in the hell there's that much parking garage for that size building. What are they doing? Reserving 12 spaces per unit?

[KevinFromTexas]

The City of Austin's Central Austin Emerging Projects list on PDF file has been updated. It lists The Austonian as being 780 feet tall! It says they plan to break ground in the summer of '07.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/default.htm

[Saddle Man]

Neato!

[LiveattheOasis]

They're hoping Stacy won't foot the bill past 750.

[KevinFromTexas]

They've been listing T. Stacy's tower at 675 feet for a while now. So it may not even crest 700 feet, unless they change their use, or unless they're holding out and trying to seem short and insignificant. Who knows? The start time for T. Stacy's tower is listed as being 2nd quarter of 2007.

[crewer]

Was just doing a little checking on the Milago. Currently there are 27 units for sale in the building. That's roughly 11%, and probably not so unusual. However, of the 27, 17 have been reduced in price, and the time the units have been on the market range from 32 to 210 days. The most expensive one on the market is a 2/2 priced at $749,000 which has been on the market for 173 days and was reduced from the original asking price of $849,000.

5 Fifty Five currently has 15 of the 99 units on the market, days ranging from 26 to 345 days. 11 have been reduced in price, some modest reductions while others dropping over 100K.

[Saddle Man]

/\/\/\/\ I can see why. I live in that area of downtown, and it's just not as good as the west side of downtown. In ten years or so, with waller creek it will be different. But now, not as good.

[StoOgE]

675 is probably not the actual height of Staceys building.. but at 780 feet, that may be substantially higher than T Stacey was planning on going.. he may have been shooting for 720-750 thinking the Austonian would be right at 700..

[Dale]

QUESTION: Between the two competitors, is there a feeling that one project is more viable than the other ? The Austonian or Stacey ?

[DTAustin]

Is it "downtown" even though it's across the river?

Good point. South of the river is not considered downtown by the city. I don't know what rules apply in that case.

[GoldenBoot]

They've been listing T. Stacy's tower at 675 feet for a while now. So it may not even crest 700 feet, unless they change their use, or unless they're holding out and trying to seem short and insignificant. Who knows? The start time for T. Stacy's tower is listed as being 2nd quarter of 2007.

I would seriously recommend that you, and everyone else, take the information "they" (the City of Austin's Economic Growth & Redevelopment Office) report with the proverbial grain of salt. It is not their job to report the exact specifics of each project, just the summaries provided by the developers and/or information taken from filed city documents. There are a number of errors and some misinformation in their listings.

For example:
--Is the Austonian 700' or 780'?
--Is 360 going to be 580' (as dictated in the City's listing) or 563' (as decreed by Andrews Urban's website?
--Is Spring 36 stories tall or, as the developers declare, a 41-story tower?
--Will the new ACL venue accommodate 1,000 spectators or will it be able to seat 2,000, as it was recently reported.
--Will Constellation’s Red River project comprise two, 30-story towers or just one, 27-story tower – referencing a recent quote in the AAS by Constellation’s president, Eugene Marchese.

…and the list of expamples go on-and-on…Nonetheless, it is a great source for keeping tabs on new developments in Austin, but not necessarily for precise specs...

Tom’s (Tom Stacy) Fifth & Congress tower, if built, will easily top 700’. The 675’ listed in the City’s Emerging Projects descriptions was taken from his (and Richard Suttle’s) presentations to the city. They both recognized that the tower “may be” 675’ tall. Also, remember the several articles in the statesman (and elsewhere) in which the tower was identified as being “at least 705’ in height?”

If a brief analysis were conducted using the structure’s renderings, one may discover that Fifth & Congress “should” tower 725’-750’ above Congress Avenue.

However, considering the fact that a site plan has yet to be filed with the city, a number of new condo and/or hotel developments have been announced in the past several months, as well as the need for more Class-A office space in the central core; I would expect the tower’s mixed-usage allocations to change – possibly altering the scale of the final product.

[Kropotkin]

I rode by the Spring site yesterday and there's no sign of anything about to happen there. The current structure has all its utilities connected, including the A/C units. There's stuff inside. Such things are usually taken care of many weeks before demolition.

I thought Spring was suppose to break ground a couple months ago?

[KevinFromTexas]

Thanks, Goldenboot. I thought of asking you first before bringing this to everyone's attention. Still it does show some idea of where this project could end up. Who knows.

[GoldenBoot]

No worries. I would LOVE to see a 780' tower in downtown Austin!! Hopefully, the rumors are true. Nevertheless, increasing the height of the building 80' could add $15-25 million to its overall price tag...

[Mopacs]

Here's a few random construction update pics from last night (4/12)...

Looking west down 4th Street, into the late afternoon sun (360 left, monarch right)

http://images21.fotki.com/v755/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270411-vi.jpg

Post Office and 360 beyond

http://images23.fotki.com/v766/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270414-vi.jpg

AMLI2 Exterior coming along

http://images24.fotki.com/v768/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270421-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v767/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270422-vi.jpg

Monarch, rising above W 6th

http://images21.fotki.com/v760/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270424-vi.jpg

More 360

http://images23.fotki.com/v766/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270432-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v767/photos/5/54967/4687436/P1270444-vi.jpg

Thats all for now...

[tildahat]

I'm not surprised with the pricing. You might have noticed that the only housing in the Mueller project in the low to mid 100's were their "affordable" units which require special qualification. The rest of the housing is in line with Crestview.


I'm not surprised, just disappointed. I think at the time they first said 175k, that was in line with Crestview. Crestview is just the latest of the quasi-central neighborhoods to leap beyond the reach of middle class families, or at least middle class families without a chunk of appreciation from their last house to use to offset the price...

[JAM]

Was just doing a little checking on the Milago. Currently there are 27 units for sale in the building. That's roughly 11%, and probably not so unusual. However, of the 27, 17 have been reduced in price, and the time the units have been on the market range from 32 to 210 days. The most expensive one on the market is a 2/2 priced at $749,000 which has been on the market for 173 days and was reduced from the original asking price of $849,000.

5 Fifty Five currently has 15 of the 99 units on the market, days ranging from 26 to 345 days. 11 have been reduced in price, some modest reductions while others dropping over 100K.

I think 10% is pretty average. Sounds like both units are at 11% for sale. Milago was a success in the Austin market -sold out before it was finished. The 11% currently for sale at Milago are investor owned units hoping to flip them for a profit. Not quite sure what Kirby is talking about, 555 is also on east side. Each condo has a distinct feel to it. 555 is very urban, while Milago is in a park setting.

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice pictures, Mopacs.

[Mopacs]

This is an intriguing and incredibly ambitious development...creating a "mini Hollywood", amid a dense, mixed-use neighborhood in the far eastern reaches of Austin. I wonder how much infrastructure is in place to support the development? Whether this comes to pass as originally intended is of course up the air, but this sure is innovative in concept. See article from this morning's Austin American-Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/04/16/16studio.html

'Creative talent' will anchor $1.5 billion neighborhood

By Shonda Novak, M.B. Taboada
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, April 16, 2007


http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/00/40/01/image_5301400.jpg

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/01/40/01/image_5301401.jpg




It sounds like a Hollywood fantasy: A big-time movie studio, capable of producing special-effects blockbusters. A 50,000-square-foot soundstage and recording studios. An outdoor amphitheater with seating for more than 70,000. Moviemakers and musicians rubbing shoulders at the same colossal production facility.

Villa Muse, a $1.5 billion mixed-use project to be announced today, would have it all, developers say. But will it really happen, especially when so many other plans for a big studio have cropped up in the past and come to naught? This time, developers promise, it's the real deal.
And if all goes as planned, Villa Muse would transform 681 acres in eastern Travis County, near the Texas 130 toll road about 10 miles south of Manor, into a small city 15 minutes from downtown Austin.

Developers said the completed project would provide jobs for 8,000 people and have about 8,500 residents. The residential neighborhoods would have several distinct styles, such as brownstones or Craftsman bungalows. And potential buyers would be told that their home could end up as part of a movie set, developers said.

The anchor would be the $125 million, 200-acre Villa Muse Studios, with facilities for film, television, advertising, music and video game makers, said JayPodolnick, a 25-year Austin music producer and engineer.
The studios would "address the needs of our thriving creative industries in Texas while attracting business that has been out of reach and forced to go elsewhere," Podolnick said.

The master-planned community would give Texas a "centralized location where creative talent can come together to cross-pollinate," Podolnick said.

Podolnick has a contract to buy the land from Carpenter & Associates, an Austin-based real estate development and investment firm whose president, Jim Carpenter, is a project partner. Carpenter's company also will oversee construction of roads, streets, utilities and drainage services for the development.

Villa Muse has an option on an adjoining 330 acres, which could bring the project to more than 1,000 acres, Carpenter said.
"You're literally creating a village, a city," he said.

Bob Hudgins, director of the Texas Film Commission, acknowledged that his office has a "very high" stack of plans to build big studios in Austin. But he and Carpenter said this project is different.
Previous plans lacked "the correct team of people and talent, and they didn't have the financial resources," Carpenter said. "Villa Muse has all of those, and they have the credibility I had not seen in other parties . . . to pull this whole thing off."

Some say it won't be easy.

Pete Dwyer, a developer in the Manor area, said that while he thinks Villa Muse is a great idea for Central Texas, "I wouldn't want to have to foot the bill."

Such endeavors "inevitably involve large sums of money," so much that "they end up needing to be talked about in the same breath with major public investment," Dwyer said.

But financing for the first phase of Villa Muse has been secured from unnamed private equity investors, Carpenter said. He declined to disclose the price of the land or discuss financing for subsequent phases.
Construction on the project's amphitheater could start in two months, Carpenter said, and be done by the end of 2008. A venue that size could have accommodated the Rolling Stones, who played at Zilker Park in October.

Currently, summer tours, such as Ozzfest and the Warped Tour, and stadium-filling concerts come no closer to Austin than the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Selma, outside San Antonio, partly because of the lack of a venue.

Charles Attal, a principal in C3, the new booking concern associated with his own Charles Attal Productions, thinks such venues can be pricey.
"I think we could get tours such as Ozzfest, but the whole amphitheater model is not really where the industry is headed right now," he said. "Something that large really needs to be a multiuse facility, with something like a sports team attached, to sustain the revenue to support the note."

Today's announcement follows Thursday's vote in the Texas House to provide state incentives for film and television production. Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, wrote the legislation, and a similar bill is pending in the Senate.

The aim is to help Texas compete with such moviemaking hot spots as Toronto, as well as with neighboring states. But the Villa Muse developers said their project does not hinge on possible Senate approval, and Villa Muse will not receive any of those possible funds.
However, the developers supported the bill, said Elizabeth Christian, Villa Muse's public relations consultant.

Texas has long lost money because of the lack of filming and producing facilities, Hudgins said. Austin Studios, the city's primary filmmaking site, is geared largely toward small, independent movies rather than the big-budget flicks that would be filmed at Villa Muse, he said.
"It's really going to make it easier to draw in the big projects," Hudgins said. "Right now, we can't handle the big shows. . . . We can't even chase after that work."

People will be living in the community within the next three years, and the project is expected to be completed in five to seven years, said Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, vice president of strategic development for Villa Muse.
Water will come from the Manville Water Supply Corp., Carpenter said, and Hornsby Bend Utility Co. will provide wastewater services.
As for the logistics of living in a place that doubles as a movie set, "anyone buying at Villa Muse would know what the deal was before ever purchasing a house," Christian said.

"After living in Los Angeles for many years in a neighborhood that was used frequently for movies, it is not a problem and, in fact, is fun," she said.

Dwyer, however, questioned whether people would want to live next to a "loud and noisy concert venue unless they're employed there, and then they could do the pub crawl home."
Christian said that the studio complex would buffer the amphitheater from the housing.

"The Hollywood Bowl is smack in the middle of Hollywood, and it is the coolest place to live, ever," she said. "Everybody wants to live near there."

snovak@statesman.com; 445-3856
mtaboada@statesman.com

Additional material from staff writer Joe Gross.

[tildahat]

This is an intriguing and incredibly ambitious development...creating a "mini Hollywood", amid a dense, mixed-use neighborhood in the far eastern reaches of Austin. I wonder how much infrastructure is in place to support the development? Whether this comes to pass as originally intended is of course up the air, but this sure is innovative in concept. See article from this morning's Austin

Looks interesting. I do find this idea that we are going to be able to build dense walkable communities along sh130 to be odd, though. I like the idea of building transit villages, but replacing transit with a toll road? Obviously better than more sprawlville, but are there plans to add transit? I really don't understand a city that spends as much time patting itself on its back for being "green" and "progressive" having such an allergy to rail.

Sorry off-topic. The mini-Hollywood aspect looks cool.

[sakyle04]

"The Hollywood Bowl is smack in the middle of Hollywood, and it is the coolest place to live, ever," she said. "Everybody wants to live near there."


Umm, ya. :uhh: It is in the middle of Hollywood.

This is in the middle of a pasture. :koko:

I hope they go forward, simply because the "studio" portion will likely be very successful (and very cool). Trying to get residents out there, though... Well, maybe eventually.

[Jdawgboy]

What I like about this project is the the amphitheater with capacity of 70,000. For years I have always thought Austin has been missing out on so many major concerts because we do not have a venue large enough. Austin has some small venues but nothing in that range even with the Frank Ewin Center. It would give Austin a chance to compete with Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio to attract huge concert events that usually pass Austin up. I hope this really happens.:slob:

[KevinFromTexas]

Interesting. With all the buzz Austin has with Hollywood and actors living here, I can't believe we don't have something bigger already. It's about time we get something like this, I really hope it happens. That looks more like Univeral Studio's backlot than anything to me.

Coincidently one of my brother and sister-in-law's friends actually had a scene in Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse which was shot at the Texas Chilli Parlour in downtown Austin. She had a scene with Kurt Russell and of course met Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. My brother and his wife know the coolest people. They also have a friend who's interning in Minneapolis right now in theatre and is actually working with none other than Ian McKellan. So with that kind of talent floating around Austin we need something like this.

[Strayone]

I have been following the 360 Novare's camera almost daily. They are on the 16th floor from what I can tell. The building grows about 1 floor every week at this point. The 17th floor is the terrace level and from that level the structure is significantly narrower, 1/2 the width of the lower 17 floors. My question is, will this impact how fast the upper levels will rise? Or will it take more time than it has due to difficulties that occur the higher a building rises.

The 360 site shows all the floorplans in an array of levels, if you scroll over the floorplans on any level it shows if the units are sold out. It looks like many of the corner units are no longer available, but alot of the smaller middle units are available. Recently someone posted that the building was 85% sold out. It sure looks like more than 15% are available from what their site would indicate. Is there something that I'm missing in the equation? I would be surprised if they allready sold 85% of the units at this time since it won't even be ready until late next year. Just wondering.

[Jdawgboy]

They had a report on KVUE mentioning that the soundstage would be the largest in North America wich will be part of the first phase and that is expected to be complete by the end of next year so it looks like a pretty sure thing.