[KevinFromTexas]

Updated: 10/17/08

Recent updates:

Revised height for W Hotel/Block 21
Moved 360 Condominiums, The Monarch and The Shore to 'Completed' list.
Added Texas Monthly Office Building
Moved W Hotel to under construction.
Lowered 800 West's height from 250 feet to 120 feet tall.
Moved The Terrace III and IV to highrise list.
Added T. Stacy Project
Added Emporis links for Westin Hotel and the Museum Tower.
Added Westin Hotel Downtown Austin
Added Hines Office Tower
Added heights for Palisades West I
Updated height for 21Rio - 236 feet.
Revised the mainroof height for The Austonian


Since the last thread has now hit 2,000 posts, we've started a new one. 2007 looks to be an interesting year for Austin with many exciting highrise projects in the works.

The old thread has been sent to the Thread Archive (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/forumdisplay.php?f=95) - Click here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=70078) to see it.

Austin's Skyscraper Boom:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes:

Buildings that are listed here as highrises are known to be atleast 115 feet tall from information obtained through construction documents at the construction site, developer's presentations and newspaper articles.

The heights and information for these projects will likely change as these projects progress.

TO = Topped out.

color code:


red = over 1,000 ft <-- ? :banana:
darkblue = 900 - 999 ft
olive = 800 - 899 ft
magenta = 700 - 799 ft
green = 600 - 699 ft
blue = 500 - 599 ft
brown = 400 - 499 ft
chocolate = 300 - 399 ft
purple = 200 - 299 ft
Black = under 200 ft

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Highrises:
Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Under construction:

The Austonian (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=265207) Residential 683 ft 622 ft 56 2009 Website (http://www.theaustonian.com/) Downtown 2nd Street District
W Austin Hotel & Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=236077) Hotel/Res. 476 ft ??? ft 36 2010 Website (http://www.bokapowell.com/swf/index2.html) Downtown 2nd Street District
Spring (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=240834) Residential 432 ft 405 .. 43 2009 Website (http://www.springaustin.com/) Downtown West End
The Ashton (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=202408) Residential 412 ft ??? .. 36 2008 Website (http://www.altavidaaustin.com/) Downtown 2nd Street District
Four Seasons Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=130997) Residential 394 ft ??? .. 32 2009 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Legacy @ Town Lake (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=273769) Residential 339 ft 322 ft 31 2009 Website (http://www.legacypartners.com/Legacy.asp?loc=r_dev5&div=R) Downtown Waterfront District
21 Rio (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=254591) Residential 236 ft ??? .. 21 2009 Website (http://21rio.com/) Cen.Aus. West Campus
AMLI on 2nd (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=102286) Residential 225 ft 203 ft 18 2008 Website (http://www.amli.com/Community/RegionMap.aspx?RegionTag=austin) Downtown 2nd Street District
1108 Lavaca (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=250659) Office 126 ft 88 ft 9 2008 Website (http://1108lavaca.com/) Downtown Financial District
La Vista on Lavaca (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=169324) Residential 119 ft ??? .. 8 2008 Website (http://www.lavistaonlavaca.com/) Downtown Uptown
Palisades West I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=palisadesi-austin-tx-usa) Office 117 ft 102 ft 7 2008 ....... W.Austin
Texas Monthly Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texasmonthlyofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 8 2009 ....... Cen.Aus Hancock



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Site prep/Demolition:


Hotel Van Zandt (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=265429) Hotel/Res. ??? .. ??? .. 16 2008 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
The Park (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=801+Barton+Springs+Road&button=Search) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 14 2009 ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
St. David's Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=271442) Office 120 ft ??? .. 8 2008 ....... Cen.Aus. Hancock
The Orsay (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Neches+Oak+Tower&button=Search) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 8 ???? ....... Downtown Financial District


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes:

* ~ The Capitol Tower is an existing office building built in 1986. The building is 246 feet tall with 20 floors and will be renovated. A new rooftop crescent shaped crown will be added that will increase the building's height to 259 feet.

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Approved:


7Rio (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=282914) Residential 400 ft ??? .. 33 2008 Website (http://www.7thandriogrande.com/) Downtown
Capitol Tower* (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=123182) Office 246 ft ??? .. 20 1986 ....... Downtown Financial District
Gables Park Plaza (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=222356) Residential 195 ft ??? .. 15 2008 ....... Downtown
Federal Courthouse (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=227267) Courthouse 135 ft ??? .. 7 2009 ....... Downtown Warehouse District
Red River Residential Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=269424) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 27 2009 ....... Downtown
St. David's North Austin Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetdavidsnorthaustinmedicalcenter-austin-tx-usa) Hospital ??? .. ??? .. 8 2009 ....... N.Austin


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Proposed:


T. Stacy & Associates Hotel & Condo Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=tstacyassociateshotelcondotower-austin-tx-usa) Hotel/Res. 830 ft ??? .. 70 ???? ....... Downtown Financial District
21C Austin (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=21caustin-austin-tx-usa) Hotel/Res. 580 ft ??? .. 44 2010 Website (http://www.21cmuseumhotel.com/austin/) Downtown
401-499 West 6th Street (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=401-499+West+6th+Street&id=101341&button=Search) Hotel/Res. 550 ft ??? .. 40 2010 ....... Downtown
Ovation (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=%09501-599+West+6th+Street&button=Search) Residential 450 ft ??? .. 35 2009 ....... Downtown
T. Stacy & Associates Office Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=tstacyassociatesofficetower-austin-tx-usa) Office 420 ft ??? .. 30 2011 ....... Downtown Financial District
Museum Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hinesofficetower-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 30 2011 ....... Downtown Warehouse District
The Terrace III (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetterraceiii-austin-tx-usa) Office 212 ft ??? ft 16 ???? ....... SW.Austin
The Terrace IV (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetterracevi-austin-tx-usa) Office 205 ft ??? ft 16 ???? ....... SW.Austin
East Avenue Andaz Hotel & Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=eastavenuenuehyatthotelresidences-austin-tx-usa) Hotel/Res. 182 ft ??? ft 17 2010 ....... Cent.Aus. Hancock
800 West (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=fortisdevelopmenttower-austin-tx-usa) Residential 120 ft ??? ft ?? ???? ....... Downtown
Marriott Convention Center Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=271436) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 34 2009 ....... Downtown Financial District
TWELVE Domain (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Twelve+Domain&button=Search) Hotel/Res. ??? .. ??? .. 28 ???? Website (http://www.novaregroup.com/portfolio_twelve_domain.html)/2 (http://twelvedomain.com/) N.Austin The Domain
Seaholm Plaza Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=254538) Hotel/Res. ??? .. ??? .. 22 2009 ....... Downtown West End
220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=220300eastriversidedrive-austin-tx-usa671) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 18 2009 ....... S.Austin
220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=220300eastriversidedrivetowerii-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 18 2009 ....... S.Austin
220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower III (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=220300eastriversidedrive-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 18 2009 ....... S.Austin
Westin Hotel Downtown Austin (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=westinhoteldowntownaustin-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 18 ???? ....... Downtown Warehouse District
The Park at Aspen Lake Building C (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetparkataspenlakebuildingc-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 15 ???? ....... NW.Austin Jollyville
The Park at Aspen Lake Building D (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetparkataspenlake-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 15 ???? ....... NW.Austin Jollyville
Capitol Commons (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Capitol+Commons&button=Search) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 ???? ....... Downtown Uptown
The Domain Apartments (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetdomainapartments-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 8 2008 ....... N.Austin The Domain
The Domain Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetdomainhotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 8 ???? ....... N.Austin The Domain

[KevinFromTexas]

Updated: 9/7/08

Recent updates:

Removed renderings for 360 Condominiums, The Monarch and The Shore
Removed old renderings for 21C and added new rendering.
Added rendering for Museum Tower.
Update 2/26/08 - Removed the renderings for 501 Congress & AquaTerra

Highrise Renderings:

Notes:


- Click on the thumbnails to view the full sized image in a new window.

- Asterisk indicates that building is under renovation


Under Construction:

The Austonian (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=265207) - 683 feet - 56 floors - 2009
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7331/austintheaustonianbasejz5.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheaustonianbasejz5.jpg)http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1830/austintheaustonianrendexa3.th.jpg (http://img250.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheaustonianrendexa3.jpg)http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/1994/austintheaustonianrendeok4.th.jpghttp://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7631/austintheaustonianandalvm8.th.jpg (http://img456.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheaustonianrendeok4.jpg)http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3784/austintheaustonianrendeyn8.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheaustonianrendeyn8.jpg)Computer generated aerial flyover video (http://theaustonian.com/AustonianFly08.wmv)

W Austin Hotel & Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=236077) - 476 feet - 36 floors - 2010
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6699/austinblock21towerrendeiu7.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinblock21towerrendeiu7.jpg)http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/310/austinblock21towerrendepl9.th.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinblock21towerrendepl9.jpg)http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5960/austinblock21towerrendenr0.th.jpg (http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinblock21towerrendenr0.jpg)

Spring (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=240834) - 432 feet - 43 floors - 2009
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2301/austinspringsouthelevatti2.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringsouthelevatti2.jpg)http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6053/austinspringeastelevatice4.th.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringeastelevatice4.jpg)http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5007/austinspring6rs4.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspring6rs4.jpg)http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8067/austinspring5ly9.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspring5ly9.jpg)http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7112/austinspringatnightfx7.th.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringatnightfx7.jpg)http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4307/austinspring4lu6.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspring4lu6.jpg)http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3854/austinspring3ky1.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspring3ky1.jpg)
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8428/austinspringintheskylinct9.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringintheskylinct9.jpg)http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/7992/austinspringinskyline4ln6.th.jpg (http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringinskyline4ln6.jpg)http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1096/austinspringinskyline3nz4.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringinskyline3nz4.jpg)http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8102/austinspringaerial2cp3.th.jpg (http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinspringaerial2cp3.jpg)

The Ashton (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=202408) - 412 feet - 36 floors - 2008
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3098/austinaltavidarenderingpd2.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinaltavidarenderingpd2.jpg)http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6264/austinaltavidarenderingwr7.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinaltavidarenderingwr7.jpg)http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2261/austinaltavidabaseqv5.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinaltavidabaseqv5.jpg)

Four Seasons Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=130997) - 394 feet - 32 floors - 2010
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3361/austinfourseasonsresidepm0.th.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinfourseasonsresidepm0.jpg)http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/9222/austinfourseasonsresideot4.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinfourseasonsresideot4.jpg)http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8578/austinfourseasonsresideyz1.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinfourseasonsresideyz1.jpg)http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2556/austinfourseasonsresideno3.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinfourseasonsresideno3.jpg)

Legacy on Town Lake (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=273769) - 339 feet - 31 floors - ????
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/3770/austinlegacytownlake2ul0.th.jpg (http://img479.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinlegacytownlake2ul0.jpg)http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/5189/austinlegacytownlake3rj1.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinlegacytownlake3rj1.jpg)http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/9850/austinlegacytownlake4gu8.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinlegacytownlake4gu8.jpg)

21 Rio (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=21rio-austin-tx-usa) - 236 feet - 21 floors - ????
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7527/austin21rio2lx9.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austin21rio2lx9.jpg)

AMLI on 2nd (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=102286) - 225 feet - 18 floors - 2008
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6931/austinamliiipic2ju8.th.png (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinamliiipic2ju8.png)

1108 Lavaca (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=250659) - 126 feet - 9 floors
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9083/austintexasautomobiledeca3.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintexasautomobiledeca3.jpg)

La Vista on Lavaca (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=169324) - 119 feet - 8 floors - 2008
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/2182/austinlavistaonlavacadh3.th.jpg (http://img479.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinlavistaonlavacadh3.jpg)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Approved:

7Rio (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=601-699+West+7th+Street&button=Search) - 400 feet - 33 floors - 2008
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/4082/austinclb7thriogradetowfs0.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinclb7thriogradetowfs0.jpg)http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5052/austinclb7thriograndetowt2.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinclb7thriograndetowt2.jpg)http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8651/austinclb7thriograndetodc9.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinclb7thriograndetodc9.jpg)

Capitol Tower* (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=123182) - 246 feet - 20 floors - 1986 - Rooftop structure will increase the height to 259 feet.
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1127/austincapitoltowerrom0.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austincapitoltowerrom0.jpg)

Gables Park Plaza I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=222356) - 195 feet - 15 floors - 2008
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5408/austingablesparkplazags2.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austingablesparkplazags2.jpg)

Federal Courthouse (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=227267) - 135 feet - 7 floors - 2009
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/8199/austinfederalcourthousena0.th.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinfederalcourthousena0.jpg)

St. David's Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=271442) - 120 feet - 8 floors
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5595/austinstdavidsmedicalcekk8.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinstdavidsmedicalcekk8.jpg)

The Orsay (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=The+Orsay&button=Search) - 8 floors
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/931/austintheorsayformerlynue3.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheorsayformerlynue3.jpg)

The Domain Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=The+Domain+Hotel+&button=Search) - 8 floors
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6233/austinthedomainhoteljr8.th.jpg (http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinthedomainhoteljr8.jpg)
Photo by Mopacs

The Domain Apartments (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=The+Domain+Apartments&button=Search) - 8 floors - 2008
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7458/austinthedomainapartmenhj5.th.gif (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinthedomainapartmenhj5.gif)

St. David's North Austin Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetdavidsnorthaustinmedicalcenter-austin-tx-usa)
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2795/austinstdavidsnorthaustdq4.th.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinstdavidsnorthaustdq4.jpg)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Proposed:

21C Austin (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=21cmuseumresidences-austin-tx-usa) - 49 floors - 2010
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5162/austin21crendering3ri6.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austin21crendering3ri6.jpg)

Marriott Convention Center Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=271436) - 31 floors
http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/4299/austinmarriottconventioew8.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinmarriottconventioew8.jpg)

Museum Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hinesofficetower-austin-tx-usa) - 30 floors - 2011
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5280/austinaustinmuseumofartar9.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinaustinmuseumofartar9.jpg)

Seaholm Plaza Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=254538) - 22 floors - 2009
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/4416/austinseaholmplazahotelka2.th.jpg (http://img384.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinseaholmplazahotelka2.jpg)

East Avenue Andaz Hotel & Residences (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=eastavenuenuehyatthotelresidences-austin-tx-usa) - 182 feet - 17 floors - 2010
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8884/austinandazhotelrenderinc9.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austinandazhotelrenderinc9.jpg)

The Park at Aspen Lake (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=119834) - 15 floors
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6031/austintheparkataspenlaktl1.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austintheparkataspenlaktl1.jpg)

The Park (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=801+Barton+Springs+Road&button=Search) - 14 floors - 2009
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7031/austin14storytoweratfilrm9.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austin14storytoweratfilrm9.jpg)

Capitol Commons (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Capitol+Commons&button=Search) - 10 floors
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8395/austincapitolcommons2aj6.th.jpg (http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=austincapitolcommons2aj6.jpg)
Photo by KevinFromTexas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Articles:


How high is too high?
Soaring project could pave way for denser downtown
Article here with 2 beautiful aerials of downtown. This was in the paper. It asks the question, "What is too high for downtown Austin?"
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

Downtown apartments on track to ascend
An article on this page about 101 Colorado, a 28-story condo tower which will rise directly to the west of 100 Congress. And also 805 West 5th Street, a 24-story condo tower which is slated for the West End at West 5th and West Avenue. The article also has prices for many of the projects.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=3

3 residential projects set for downtown Austin
Article on 3 residential projects set for the west and east sides of downtown. 2 of them will be 8 floors, probably around 120 feet tall or so. 4 replies below that is an article about new hotels planned for downtown. One of them is the hotel portion in the new 680 footer. The other would be an upscale hotel, either a Ritz, or W-Hotel planned for West 3rd and Colorado. That hotel could have 300 to 400 rooms. It's been in the planning stages since 2000 but was put on hold. No renderings yet. The developers say they're moving ahead with development soon.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=4

40-story condo tower planned for downtown
This is the Novare Group Tower, planned for 300 West Nueces, at West 3rd and Nueces Street. The building will be 520 feet tall with 40 floors. We're expecting a rendering of this tower any day now.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=6

New downtown condo tower will rise 36 stories
The project's name is "Spring", it is planned to be 400 feet tall with 36 floors, residential. The architect, (Foad Raffi), is from Vancouver, and this is the first building in the United States that he has designed. The tower, which will be quite narrow and tall, is planned for West 3rd and Bowie Street.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=5

New "Austin City Limits" home will have 1,000 seats, year-round performances
Article on block party and design of project.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=117690

World-renowned architects designing Austin high-rise
Tower at Fifth and Congress could be city's tallest.
Article talks about Cesar Pelli designing the tower at 501 Congress Avenue.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104192&page=2



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Related threads at SkyscraperPage:

Compilation threads:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Austin update (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104192)

Austin Metro Transportation Updates (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129930)

The Domain and North Burnet Gateway Updates (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=127754)

GoogleEarth models by priller (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=130723)

Individual building construction threads:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Austonian (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=124186)
360 condominiums (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=106535)
Spring (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=139543)
W Austin Hotel & Residences (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=139425)
Altavida (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140005)
Legacy @ Town Lake (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140007)
The Monarch (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=132358)
The Shore (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=109499)

Individual building proposal threads:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUSTIN | The Austonian | 683 FT / 208 M | 56 FLOORS (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=124186)

AUSTIN | T. Stacy Towers 2 bldgs| 830 feet/253 meters | 70 FLOORS | 30 FLOORS (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131529)

AUSTIN | Novare/Andrews Urban Towers | 550 & 450 feet | 40 & 35 FLOORS (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=125062)

AUSTIN | 21C Austin | 580 feet | 44 FLOORS (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2891174&posted=1#post2891174)

AUSTIN - 36 story W hotel, residences, and ACL venue (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131005)

AUSTIN | Museum Tower | 30 FLOORS (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=146216)

Spring & Legacy updates (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129698)

AUSTIN ~ Twelve Domain - 28 floors ~320 feet (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131080)

Marriott Downtown Complex (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131142)

Hotel Van Zandt updates (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131417)

Austin - Seaholm Plaza Hotel - 22 floors (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2604380#post2604380)

Archived threads:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Austin Projects & Construction I (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=70078)

[KevinFromTexas]

Updated: 9/7/08

Recent updates:

Added 360 Condominiums, The Monarch and The Shore to list.
Added main roof heights to the University Towers I, II, & III. - 120 feet.
Update 6/26/07 - Moved the Dell Children's Medical Center to the completed highrises list.
Update 6/22/07 - added building height for J.J. Pickle Federal Building - 148 feet tall.

Austin's Completed Highrises:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes:



Buildings listed here are atleast 115 feet tall. Buildings that don't have heights listed are estimated to be atleast that tall.


color code:


red = over 1,000 ft <-- ? :banana:
darkblue = 900 - 999 ft
olive = 800 - 899 ft
magenta = 700 - 799 ft
green = 600 - 699 ft
blue = 500 - 599 ft
brown = 400 - 499 ft
chocolate = 300 - 399 ft
purple = 200 - 299 ft
Black = under 200 ft

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Austin's completed highrises:


360 Condominiums (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=241697) Residential 563 ft 462 ft 44 2008 Website (http://www.lifesurroundsyou.com/)/2 (http://novare.oxblue.com/austin360/index.html) Downtown
Frost Bank Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101593) Office 515 ft 424 ft 33 2004 Website (http://www.equityoffice.com/properties_space/building.aspx?BuildingId=2973) Downtown Financial District
One American Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=One+American+Center&button=Search) Office 395 ft ??? ft 32 1984 Website (http://www.equityoffice.com/properties_space/building.aspx?BuildingId=1859) Downtown Financial District
One Congress Plaza (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=1congressplaza-austin-tx-usa) Office 391 ft ??? ft 30 1987 Website (http://www.equityoffice.com/properties_space/building.aspx?BuildingId=2159) Downtown Financial District
Austin Hilton Convention Center Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100794) Hotel/Res. 377 ft 354 ft 31 2004 Website (http://www.5fiftyfive.com/) Downtown Convention Center
Dobie Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=Dobie+Center&id=101341&button=Search) Dormitory 367 ft ??? .. 29 1972 Website (http://dobiecenter.com/) Cen.Aus. The Drag
Bank of America Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bankofamericacenter-austin-tx-usa) Office 329 ft 318 ft 25 1975 Website (http://www.tstacy.com/portfolio_detail.php?building_id=56) Downtown Financial District
300 West Sixth Street (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100793) Office 325 ft ??? .. 23 2002 Website (http://www.equityoffice.com/properties_space/building.aspx?BuildingId=2951) Downtown Financial District
Chase Bank Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=chasebanktower-austin-tx-usa534) Office 325 ft ??? .. 21 1974 Website (http://www.endeavor-re.com/office/ChaseTower/ChaseTower.html) Downtown Financial District
The Monarch (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=221439) Residential 323 ft 300 ft 29 2008 Website (http://www.zomusa.com/)/2 (http://www.monarchaustin.com/) Downtown West End
100 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=100+Congress&id=101341&button=Search) Office 320 ft ??? .. 22 1987 Website (http://www.100congress.net/) Downtown Financial District
Texas State Capitol (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texasstatecapitol-austin-tx-usa) Capitol 311 ft 295 ft 4 1888 Website (http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/capitol/texcap.htm) Downtown Capitol Complex
San Jacinto Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=sanjacintocenter-austin-tx-usa) Office 310 ft ??? .. 21 1987 Website (http://www.equityoffice.com/properties_space/building.aspx?BuildingId=1819) Downtown Financial District
University of Texas Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=University+of+Texas+Tower&button=Search) Univ.Office 307 ft ??? .. 29 1937 Website (http://www.utexas.edu/tours/mainbuilding/) Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
301 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=301+Congress&button=Search) Office 306 ft 287 ft 22 1986 Website (http://www.crescent.com/portfolio/props/301congress.asp) Downtown Financial District
Westgate Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=Westgate+Tower&id=101341&button=Search) Residential 261 ft 236 ft 25 1967 ....... Downtown Uptown
The Shore (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=241699) Residential 257 ft 237 ft 22 2008 Website (http://www.theshorecondos.com/en/index.html) Downtown Waterfront District
Capitol Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitoltower-austin-tx-usa) Office 246 ft ??? .. 20 1986 ....... Downtown Financial District
The Castilian (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=The+Castilian&button=Search) Dormitory 237 ft ??? .. 23 1969 Website (http://www.thecastilian.com/) Cen.Aus The Drag
816 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=816+Congress&button=Search) Office 236 ft ??? .. 20 1984 Website (http://www.crescent.com/portfolio/props/816congress.asp) Downtown Financial District
Austin Centre/Omni Hotel Downtown Austin (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=austincentreomnihotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel/Office 231 ft ??? .. 16 1986 Website (http://www.crescent.com/portfolio/props/austincentre.asp) Downtown Financial District
823 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=823congress-austin-tx-usa) Office 229 ft 203 ft 16 1971 Website (http://www.tstacy.com/portfolio_detail.php?building_id=12) Downtown Financial District
Robert Lee Moore Hall (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=robertleemoorehall-austin-tx-usa) University 225 ft 202 ft 17 1974 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Wells Fargo Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=wellsfargotower-austin-tx-usa) Office 224 ft ??? .. 17 1981 ....... Downtown Uptown
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitolplacehotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 219 ft ??? .. 15 1984 ....... Downtown East 6th Street Entertainment Dist.
Capitol Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitolcenter-austin-tx-usa) Office 213 ft ??? .. 15 1984 ....... Downtown Financial District
Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=123224) Jail 204 ft ??? .. 11 2000 ....... Downtown Uptown
Chase Bank Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=chasebanktower-austin-tx-usa) Office 202 ft ??? .. 15 1980 ....... Downtown Financial District
Doubletree Austin Guest Suites (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=doubletreeaustinguestsuites-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 192 ft ??? .. 15 1987 ....... Downtown Uptown
Southwest Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=southwesttower-austin-tx-usa) Office 183 ft ??? .. 13 1973 ....... Downtown Financial District
Hyatt Regency Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hyattregencyhotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 182 ft ??? .. 17 1981 ....... S.Austin
Norwood Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=norwoodtower-austin-tx-usa) Office 180 ft ??? .. 15 1929 Website (http://www.norwoodtower.com/) Downtown Financial District
One Texas Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=1texascenter-austin-tx-usa) Office 180 ft ??? .. 13 1983 ....... S.Austin
William P. Hobby Building I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williamjhobbybuildingi-austin-tx-usa) Office 177 ft ??? .. 14 1985 ....... Downtown Warehouse District
Austin City Lofts (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=102283) Residential 176 ft 168 ft 14 2004 Website (http://www.austincitylofts.com/) Downtown West End
Stephen F. Austin State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=stephenfaustinstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 175 ft ??? .. 11 ???? ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
The Plaza on Republic Square (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100796) Residential 174 ft 136 ft 12 2001 Website (http://www.plazalofts.com/) Downtown Warehouse District
Sheraton Austin Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=marriottatstreetcapitol-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 172 ft ??? .. 16 1986 ....... Downtown Waterloo Park
Stephen F. Austin Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=stephenfaustinhotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 172 ft ??? .. 15 1924 Website (http://www.austin.intercontinental.com/?gclid=CKmOi6-H_YoCFRpcSgodUHk7FQ) Downtown Financial District
Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Downtown (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100795) Hotel 162 ft ??? .. 16 2002 Website (http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=4XZPO4FI3FT3QCSGBIVMVCQKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=AUSDTHX&ctyhocn=AUSDTHX) Downtown Convention Center
Cambridge Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=cambridgetower-austin-tx-usa) Residential 160 ft ??? .. 15 1960 ....... Downtown Uptown
Perry Brooks Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=perrybrooksbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 157 ft ??? .. 12 1952 ....... Downtown Financial District
J.J. Pickle Federal Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jjpicklefederalbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 148 ft ??? .. 10 1965 ....... Downtown Financial District
Lakeside Apartments (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lakesideapartments-austin-tx-usa) Residential 147 ft 129 ft 12 1967 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Southpark One (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=southpark1-austin-tx-usa) Office 145 ft 135 ft 10 1984 Website (http://www.southparkone.com/) SE.Austin Southpark
ACC Pinnacle Campus (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=pinnaclecampus-austin-tx-usa) University 145 ft ??? .. 10 1984 ....... FarSW.Aus. Oak Hill
Milago Condominiums (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=197984) Residential 142 ft 130 ft 13 2006 Website (http://www.milagocondos.com/) Downtown Waterfront District
Driskill Hotel Annex (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=driskillhotelannex-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 142 ft 130 ft 12 1930 ....... Downtown Financial District
Marriott Downtown Austin Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=187478) Hotel 141 ft 132 ft 12 2006 Website (http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/ausrd-residence-inn-austin-downtown-convention-center/) Downtown Convention Center
Four Seasons Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=4seasonshotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 140 ft 107 ft 10 1987 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Brazos Place (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=One+Commodore+Plaza+&button=Search) Residential 139 ft ??? .. 14 1948 ....... Downtown Financial District
Holiday Inn Capitol Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=holidayinncapitoltower-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 138 ft 119 ft 14 1967 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Holiday Inn Lake Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=holidayinnlaketower-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 138 ft 119 ft 11 1985 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Ernest O. Thompson Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ernestothompsonbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 136 ft 125 ft 11 1940 ....... Downtown Financial District
Littlefield Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=littlefieldbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 136 ft ??? .. 9 1912 ....... Downtown Financial District
Dewitt C. Greer State Highway Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=dewittcgreerstatehighwaybuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 135 ft ??? .. 10 1933 ....... Downtown Financial District
Embassy Suites Hotel Austin North (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=embassysuiteshotelaustinnorth-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 135 ft ??? .. 10 ???? ....... N.Austin Highland District
Saint Edward's University Main Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=saintedwardsuniversitymainbuilding-austin-tx-usa) University 133 ft ??? .. 4 1889 ....... S.Austin Travis Heights
Sabine on Fifth (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Sabine+on+Fifth&button=Search) Residential 130 ft ??? .. 10 1984 ....... Downtown East 6th Street Entertainment District
Whole Foods Market Headquarters (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=176931) Office 130 ft 119 ft 7 2005 ....... Downtown Market District
Radisson Hotel & Suites (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=radissonhotelsuites-austin-tx-usa) Hotel 129 ft ??? .. 12 1965 ....... Downtown Financial District
The Nokonah (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100797) Residential 126 ft ??? .. 11 2002 Website (http://www.nokonah.com/) Downtown West End
Penthouse Condominiums (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=penthousecondominiums-austin-tx-usa) Residential 122 ft ??? .. 11 1964 ....... Downtown Uptown
Executive Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=executiveofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 122 ft ??? .. 8 1973 ....... Downtown Uptown
811 Barton Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=811bartonbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 121 ft ??? .. 9 1987 ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
Brown Heatly Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=executiveofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office 121 ft ??? .. 7 1989 ....... Cen.Aus. Midtown/Brentwood
Stonebridge Plaza I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=123204) Office 120 ft ??? .. 9 1999 ....... NW.Austin Balcones
Stonebridge Plaza II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=123154) Office 120 ft ??? .. 9 2001 ....... NW.Austin Balcones
Texas Assocation of Counties Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=137081) Office 120 ft ??? .. 8 2003 ....... Downtown Uptown
Dell Children's Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=256040) Hospital 120 ft ??? .. 4 2007 Website (http://future.childrenshospital.com/) E.Austin Mueller Airport
University Towers I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=universitytowersi-austin-tx-usa) Dormitory ??? .. 120 ft 10 1968 ....... Cen.Aus. West Campus
University Towers II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=universitytowersii-austin-tx-usa) Dormitory ??? .. 120 ft 10 1968 ....... Cen.Aus. West Campus
University Towers III (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=universitytowersiii-austin-tx-usa) Dormitory ??? .. 120 ft 10 1968 ....... Cen.Aus. West Campus
William P. Clements State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williampclementsstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 15 1986 ....... Downtown Uptown
Rebekah Baines Johnson Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=rebekahbainesjohnsontower-austin-tx-usa) Assisted Living ??? .. ??? .. 15 1971 ....... E.Austin Tenth Ward
Jester Center West Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jestercenterdormitorycomplexwesttower-austin-tx-usa) Dormitory ??? .. ??? .. 14 1970 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Towers of Town Lake (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=towersoftownlake-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 13 1983 ....... Downtown Waterfront District
Omni Hotel Southpark (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=omnihotelsouthpark-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 13 1983 ....... SE.Austin Southpark
Lyndon Baines Johnson State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lyndonbainesjohnsonstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 12 1968 ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
William B. Travis State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williambtravisstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 12 ???? ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Lavaca Plaza (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lavacaplaza-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 11 1983 ....... Downtown Financial District
815 Brazos Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=815brazosbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 11 1982 ....... Downtown Financial District
Ernest Cockrell Jr. Hall (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ernestcockrelljcoronelhall-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 11 1973 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Engineering Teaching Center II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=engineeringteachingcenterii-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 11 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Texas Medical Association (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texasmedicalassociation-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1991 ....... Downtown Uptown
Tower of the Hills (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=towerofstreethills-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1987 ....... FarNW.Aus. Jollyville
Barton Creek Resort (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bartoncreekresort-austin-tx-usa) Hotel/Resort ??? .. ??? .. 10 1987 ....... W.Austin Barton Creek
Renaissance Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=renaissanceaustinhotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 10 1986 ....... NW.Austin The Arboretum
Waller Creek Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=wallercreekcenter-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1986 ....... Downtown Waterloo Park
1005 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=1005congressavenuenue-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1982 ....... Downtown Financial District
Ashbel Smith Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ashbelsmithbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Univ.Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1975 ....... Downtown Financial District
Lyndon Baines Johnson Pres. Library & Museum (https://extranet.emporis.com/wm/bu/?lng=3&id=242714) Museum ??? .. ??? .. 10 1974 Website (http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/) Cen.Austin University of Texas Campus
Jester Center East Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jestercenterdormitorycomplexeasttower-austin-tx-usa) Dormitory ??? .. ??? .. 10 1973 ....... Cen.Austin University of Texas Campus
Vaughan Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=vaughanbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 1965 ....... Downtown Financial District
Brown Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=brownbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 10 1938 Website (http://brownbuildinghoa.com/) Downtown Financial District
Arboretum Plaza D (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=arboretumplazad-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 10 ???? ....... NW.Austin The Arboretum
L. Theo Bellmont Hall (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lstreetobellmonthall-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 10 1972 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Arboretum Plaza A (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=arboretumplazaa-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 9 1986 ....... NW.Austin The Arboretum
Southfield Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=southfieldbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 9 1986 ....... S.Austin Ben White Boulevard Corridor
Daniel Price Sr. State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=danielpricescoronelstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 9 1986 ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Univ. Med. Center at Brackenridge Hospital (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=brackenridgehospital-austin-tx-usa) Hospital ??? .. ??? .. 9 1974 ....... Downtown Waterloo Park
Sam Houston State Office Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=samhoustonstateofficebuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 9 ???? ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Embassy Suites Hotel (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=embassysuiteshotel-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 9 ???? ....... S.Austin
Marriott Courtyard Central (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=marriottcourtyardcentral-austin-tx-usa) Hotel ??? .. ??? .. 9 ???? ....... N.Austin Highland District
William P. Hobby Building II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williamjhobbybuildingii-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 9 1985 ....... Downtown Warehouse District
Jesse H. Jones Communication Center Bldg. B (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jessehj1scommunicationcenterbuildingb-austin-tx-usa) Univ.Studio ??? .. ??? .. 9 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
National Instruments Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=188862) Office ??? .. ??? .. 8 2002 ....... NW.Austin Balcones
Texas Supreme Court (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texassupremecourt-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 8 1956 ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Scarbrough Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=scarbroughbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 8 1911 ....... Downtown Financial District
1616 Guadalupe (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=attsouthwesternbell-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 8 1963 ....... Downtown Uptown
The Goodall Wooten (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetgoodallwooten-austin-tx-usa) Residential ??? .. ??? .. 8 ???? Website (http://www.goodallwooten.com/) Cen.Aus. The Drag
Engineering Science Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=engineeringsciencecenter-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 8 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Texas Department of Health (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=176986) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 2001 ....... Cen.Aus. Midtown
Braker Point III (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=188861) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 2002 ....... NW.Austin Balcones
Seton Medical Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=midtownmedicaltowerannex-austin-tx-usa) Hospital ??? .. ??? .. 7 1975 ....... Cen.Aus. Midtown Medical Complex
Travis Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=travisbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 1946 ....... Downtown Financial District
Texas Department of Health Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texasdepartmentofhealthbuilding-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. Midtown/Brentwood
Texas Department of Health Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=texasdepartmentofhealthbuilding-austin-tx-usa174) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. Midtown/Brentwood
IBM Austin Exec. Briefing Center Bldg. 901 (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ibmaustinexecutivebriefingcenterbuilding901-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 ???? ....... N.Austin North Burnet/Gateway
IBM Austin Exec. Briefing Center Bldg. 903 (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ibmaustinexecutivebriefingcenterbuilding903-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 ???? ....... N.Austin North Burnet/Gateway
IBM Austin Exec. Briefing Center Bldg. 905 (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ibmaustinexecutivebriefingcenterbuilding905-austin-tx-usa) Office ??? .. ??? .. 7 ???? ....... N.Austin North Burnet/Gateway
Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=traviscountycourthouse-austin-tx-usa) Courthouse ??? .. ??? .. 6 1930 ....... Downtown Uptown
Almetris Duren Hall (https://community.emporis.com/wm/bu/?lng=3&id=275069) Dormitory ??? .. ??? .. 6 2007 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
J.T. Patterson Laboratories Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jtpattersonlaboratoriesbuilding-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 6 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Neural Molecular Science Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=neuralmolecularsciencebuilding-austin-tx-usa) University ??? .. ??? .. 6 ???? ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus
Harry Ransom Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=harryransomcenter-austin-tx-usa) Museum ??? .. ??? .. 3 1972 ....... Cen.Aus. University of Texas Campus

[KevinFromTexas]

Updated: 3/09/08

Recent updates:

Moved The Terrace III and IV to highrises.
Update 2/06/08 - Added Palisades West II with height.
Update 6/17/07 - Added building Thornberry Federal Building, with height.

Austin's Lowrises:

Notes:

Buildings listed here are between 60 feet and 114 feet tall. Some heights lower than 60 feet are also listed when available.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Austin's completed lowrises:


Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Bob+Bullock+&button=Search) Museum 110 ft ??? .. 3 2001 ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Radisson Hotel Austin North (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Park+Plaza+Hotel+Austin+North&button=Search) Hotel 110 ft ??? .. 9 ???? ....... N.Austin Highland District
The Terrace VII (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetterracevii-austin-tx-usa) Office 100 ft 87 ft 6 2002 ....... SW.Austin
Thomas Rusk State Treasury Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Thomas+Rusk+State+Treasury+Building+&button=Search) Office 101 ft ?? .. 6 1975 ....... Downtown Financial District
AMLI Downtown (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=AMLI+Downtown&button=Search) Residential 100 ft ?? .. 7 2004 ....... Downtown 2nd Street District
Employees Retirement System of Texas (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Employees+Retirement+System+of+Texas&button=Search) Office 97 ft ?? .. 4 ???? ....... Downtown Capitol Complex
Computer Sciences Corporation HQ I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=computersciencecorporationheadquartersi-austin-tx-usa) Office 90 ft ?? .. 6 2001 ....... Downtown 2nd Street District
Computer Sciences Corporation HQ II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=computersciencecorporationheadquartersii-austin-tx-usa) Office 90 ft ?? .. 6 2001 ....... Downtown 2nd Street District
The Terrace V (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=cirruslogiccorporateheadquarters-austin-tx-usa) Office 87 ft 74 ft 6 2002 ....... SW.Austin
Hilton Hotel-Austin-Bergstrom Int'l Airport (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Hilton+Hotel-Austin-Bergstrom+International+Airport&button=Search) Hotel 84 ft ?? .. 5 1968 ....... SE.Austin Austin-Bergstrom Int'l Airport
Lakeshore Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Lakeshore+Tower&button=Search) Office 84 ft ?? .. 5 ???? ....... S.Austin
Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=Barbara+Jordan+Passenger+Terminal&button=Search) Pass.Terminal 80 ft ?? .. 4 1998 ....... SE.Austin Austin-Bergstrom Int'l Airport
Piazza Navona (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=Piazza+Navona&id=101341&button=Search) Residential 75 ft ?? .. 7 2005 ....... Cen.Aus. West Campus
ABC Bank Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=ABC+Bank+Building&id=101341&button=Search) Office 74 ft ?? .. 6 2006 ....... Downtown
3301 Northland Drive (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=3301+Northland+Drive&id=101341&button=Search) Office 65 ft ?? .. 5 1975 ....... NW.Austin Balcones
Austin City Hall (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=austincityhall-austin-tx-usa) City Hall 65 ft ?? .. 4 2004 ....... Downtown 2nd Street District
The '04 Residential 64 ft ?? .. 5 2006 ....... S.Austin SoCo
721 Barton Springs Road Office 64 ft ?? .. 5 ???? ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
ACC South Austin Campus University 62 ft ?? .. 4 2006 ....... S.Austin
Bridges on the Park Residential 61 ft ?? .. 6 2007 Website (http://www.bridgesonthepark.com/) S.Austin SoLa
Thornberry Federal Building Office 52 ft 52 ft 3 1965 ....... Downtown Financial District
Bel Air Residential 32 ft ?? .. 3 2006 Website (http://www.thebelair.com/) S.Austin SoCo




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Under construction:

Palisades West II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=palisadesii-austin-tx-usa) Office 83 ft 68 ft 5 2008 ....... W.Austin
Goodwill Redevelopment Residential 59 ft ?? .. 5 2007 ....... Cen.Aus. West End


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Site prep/Demolition:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Approved:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name Use Struct. Ht. Mainroof Flrs. Year Website Borough Neighborhood
Proposed:


721 Congress (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=721+Congress&button=Search) Residential 104 ft 93 ft 6 ???? ....... Downtown Financial District
1155 Barton Springs (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=101341&txt=1155+Barton+Springs&button=Search) Residential 92 ft ?? .. 5 2009 ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
BartonPlace Condos I (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bartonplacecondosi-austin-tx-usa) Residential 75 ft ?? .. 7 ???? ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
BartonPlace Condos II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bartonplacecondosii-austin-tx-usa) Residential 75 ft ?? .. 7 ???? ....... S.Austin Restaurant Row
South Urban Lofts (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=southurbanlofts-austin-tx-usa) Residential 75 ft ?? .. 5 ???? ....... S.Austin SoCo

[Mopacs]

As posted by GoldenBoot in the Texas-South Central forum... Austin is about to get a new tallest (by a landslide).. Something tells me the Austin construction forum will be headed toward Part II very soon... :D

See article in tomorrow morning's Austin American-Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/01/24//24downtown.html
http://www.theaustonian.com/

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

Austonian to tower over downtown

Proposed 55-story luxury condo tower will be Austin's tallest building when completed in 2009.

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/04/44/58/image_5058444.jpg

By Shonda Novak (snovak@statesman.com)
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Austin's skyline is about to undergo its biggest change in history.

Soaring 22 stories higher than downtown's tallest existing building, a $200 million luxury condominium tower planned for Congress Avenue and Second Street will set a new bar for height and unit prices amid downtown's residential building boom.

Although the design isn't final, the Austonian could rise up to 700 feet, dwarfing the 33-story, 515-foot Frost Bank Tower at Congress and Fourth Street once it's finished in 2009. Construction is set to start late this year at 200 Congress Ave., which is now a parking lot.
The 55-story Austonian would eclipse the tallest residential tower under construction downtown, a 563-foot condominium tower with 44 stories that Atlanta-based Novare Group Holdings LLC and its local partner, Andrews Urban LLC, are building at Third and Nueces streets.
The developer of the Austonian, Second Congress Ltd., an affiliate of Austin-based Benchmark Development, launched its Web site to begin marketing the project Tuesday.

The Austonian's upscale units could set a new benchmark for luxury living in the city's urban core. Though prices haven't been set for the 195 units, they are expected to start at about $500,000 for the smallest units with about 1,200 square feet, said David Mahn, vice president of Benchmark. Prices for the penthouse units would top $1 million.

Mahn said the Austonian's prices would be "very competitive" on a per-square-foot basis with other new downtown condominium projects. Prices also are expected to start at about $500,000 in a mixed-use condominium tower that local developer Tom Stacy plans for Fifth Street and Congress Avenue. Stacy's building, which has no timetable for breaking ground, is expected to rival Benchmark's in height.
Stacy also plans to build a striking glass tower that could rise up to 700 feet.
Mahn said the Austonian developers only recently settled on a 55-story building, which he said worked best from an economic standpoint, although a range of stories was considered during the design process.

The Austonian will have 500,000 square feet of space, roughly half the amount of a regional shopping center. A variance from the city will allow the developer to build a project with about double the square feet that existing zoning would have allowed.
Designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects of Houston, the building will be an elliptical glass and masonry tower atop a lush garden deck, with a pool area overlooking Congress Avenue. The high-rise will be topped with an illuminated architectural feature, which is still in the design stage.

In addition to a concierge and valet service, the building will offer residents workout facilities and a private area for meetings or parties on the top two floors.

With units in most of the downtown condo projects priced high, some developers have been shooting for more moderate starting prices. Prices for Novare's condo project, for example, will range from $190,000 for a 785-square-foot unit to $550,000 for a 1,638-square-foot unit.

Mahn said he expects the Austonian to appeal to a broad range of buyers, including many who work downtown.
"We think this is the perfect live/work/play/shop location," Mahn said.
The Austonian is one of at least four residential high-rises that developers plan to break ground on this year in downtown Austin as they seek to meet what they say is continued robust demand for urban living.
Several other condo and apartment projects are under construction downtown, and scores more are planned or under way near downtown as the condo craze spreads south and east.

That has led some to question whether the downtown condo market might be at risk of getting overbuilt, a phenomenon that has hit other cities, including Miami and Boston.

But Charles Heimsath, a local real estate expert who consulted on the Austonian project, said demand for downtown condos in Austin remains strong, "with each new project selling out in record time."
"Demand for the most expensive units in the existing projects has been slower, but none of them have been a 'super luxury' project on Congress Avenue," said Heimsath, president of Capitol Market Research. "I feel confident that the Austonian will be well-received by the market due to its extensive amenities, views and very high level of finish."

If all the planned units were to start at the same time, "then I think we might be facing an overbuilt high-end market," Heimsath said. "However, every project has its own unique attributes, pricing and market appeal, and that differentiation, along with the fact that the time between project completions is staggered, should keep the market strong."
Developers report healthy sales at their projects. At the Shore, a 23-story condo project under construction at Red River and Davis streets, only 10 of the 192 units are left, with prices ranging from $350,000 to $765,000, said Ian Stonington, the project's sales manager.

Seven-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong is an investor in the $55 million project, which is being developed by High Street Residential, a subsidiary of Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. Armstrong has reserved a unit on an upper floor.
At Bridges on the Park, a condo project CLB Partners is building at South Lamar Boulevard and West Riverside Drive, 47 of the 104 units are under contract with non-refundable earnest money representing 5 percent of the purchase price, said Bobby Nail, the Austin partner for CLB Partners.

Another luxury condo project, the 20-story AquaTerra next to the Hyatt Regency on Town Lake, will break ground once buyers are lined up for half of the 173 units. The developers have said they expect to reach that goal early this year. The units are priced from $350,000 to $1.2 million.

Spring, a condominium tower at Third and Bowie streets, has 780 reservation holders for its 240 units, said Larry Warshaw, a partner in the 41-story project.

With downtown housing largely out of reach for middle-income buyers, some city leaders have voiced concerns about the area becoming an enclave of the well-heeled.

"It becomes a challenge to justify significant taxpayer investment in downtown if it becomes an urban Aspen or Vail," said Council Member Brewster McCracken. "It is in everyone's interest, including downtown property owners, that downtown developments include a broader range of housing prices than we're seeing currently."

Mahn concedes that the Austonian's starting prices will cut out some prospective buyers.
But he said Benchmark has and continues to build much more moderately priced housing elsewhere in Central Texas, including condominium projects in East and South Austin with partner Terry Mitchell. Those will have prices starting in the low $100,000s.
snovak@statesman.com (snovak@statesman.com); 445-3856

EDIT: Larger photo

http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/09/55/59/image_5059559.jpg

[Mopacs]

Will this happen? Discuss...

[KevinFromTexas]

I just got off the phone with Shonda Novak. She says there will be a 2nd larger part to this article on Statesman.com tomorrow. Yipee, I helped with the rankings! :banana:

[JACKinNYC]

Wow, that's a great rendering. Looks like a real photo.

[MichaelB]

Will this happen? Discuss...

Dunno.... but glad to see the desgin looks a lot more focused than the previous effort!!!!! Wonder if that is the real height or a point from which to negotiate? Very exciting!!!!!!!!

[KevinFromTexas]

Here is the extended version of the article from yesterday. Shonda Novak had contacted me for information about how this building would rank across the country among other residential towers. Although they didn't list any rankings in the article, I was still happy to assist.
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/01/24/24downtown.html

She seemed to be enthusiastic about the tower. She noted over the phone that "This thing will be beautiful."

Here's a closer view of it. I LOVE this design. I liked this tower from the beginning. Considering what they've done in the Houston area, I knew Zielger Cooper Architects wouldn't let us down. Very nice design here. Note the overhanging crown just below the very top floor. That is going to be such a nice feature on our skyline.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20renderings%20highrises/AustinAustonianrendering2.jpg
BENCHMARK DEVELOPMENT; ZIEGLER COOPER ARCHITECTS

[crewer]

Will this happen? Discuss...

For starters, it's a really nice building...probably the nicest one yet to be proposed. I think the street level floors look great, and the tower is stylish. It's modern, yet tasteful, and it's defintely something I would expect to see in Chicago where developers are constantly competing against other great developments in an effort to try and outdo each other.

My concern is that it's a mother lode of a building catering only to the big buck buyers. Couple this one with the huge San Jacinto development ($$$), and the other smaller ones for the upper crust, and I'd say we're teetering on the line of overbuilding.

Shonda Novak has done the same thing that other reporters have done all over the country. She used a real estate agent, in this case, Charles Heimsath, to be the spokesperson and "expert" on the need for downtown housing. That's like asking Proctor & Gamble to report on the need for laundry detergent. Come on! I would really like to hear from non-biased economists who specialize in housing demands that can give us a clearer perspective as to what's going on here and what risks we're facing. Heimsath's lines about demand for high end housing mirrors EXACTLY what realtors in DC were saying 15 months ago. What are they saying now? "We all knew the market was overbuilding and reaching unsustainable levels. Prices have to come down now for all these units to move."

I'm curious about something. Are there enough jobs in downtown to warrant all this housing? I recently read an article about downtown Vancouver's dwellers facing a reverse commute to the burbs for work since there's not enough downtown jobs for all those living there. Is Austin heading in that same direction?

[Mopacs]

Totally agree about the lower floors/street level... The base looks to be around the same height as the neighoring AMLI I apartment tower, which will blend in VERY well with the emerging 2nd St District they are located along. I'm sure they will contribute to the retail district with many stores/restaurants of their own.

I also agree about the real estate source for the article...very much a biased individual. Time will tell... I sure hope its built.

Kevin... have you seen any other renderings? I'm curious as to the N-S orientation, and whether it is wider than the E-W elevations. It definitely appears to be.

[Mopacs]

Here are some crude photoshopping that I put together about a year ago, integrating the original rendering released last year. As it turns out, the scale of my little photoshop endeavor was fairly consistent with the renderings posted in today's statesman... perhaps a bit shorter though.

http://images16.fotki.com/v300/photos/5/54967/2949615/Tower_FromBenWhite-vi.jpg

And here's the original rendering, as posted on this forum last year, alongside the updated. You can see the base has changed, and the tower itself integrates much more glass than before (which gives it a much sleeker, modern look).

http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/5/54967/2949615/renderingwtower02-vi.jpghttp://images19.fotki.com/v381/photos/5/54967/2949615/Austonian1-vi.jpg

[LiveattheOasis]

So they are planning on breaking ground this year then? Did I miss in the article whether they had a certain number of units that had to be sold or pre-leased like Aquaterra before building would begin?

By the way, what an awesome building.

[JACKinNYC]

What a rare case of the redesign being better than the original. Go Austin!

[Mopacs]

The website is up and there are additional renderings! Check this out

http://www.theaustonian.com

http://www.theaustonian.com/pic01.jpg

http://www.theaustonian.com/pic02.jpg

http://www.theaustonian.com/pic03.jpg

Press Release:

http://www.theaustonian.com/PressRelease.pdf

The Austonian

Focus on Luxury Urban Living, Environmental Features and Panoramic Views

Austin, Texas (January 23, 2007) –
Second Congress Ltd. today announced its newest residential

development, located in Austin at the Northwest corner of Congress Avenue and 2nd Street. The Austonian, a projected $200 million mixed-use, luxury high-rise condominium development, is scheduled to break ground the Summer of 2007 with an opening date of 2009. This project will be a welcome addition to the dynamic revitalization plans underway for the Second Street Retail District in downtown Austin.

"Luxury living is all about convenience and vision combined with elegance,” said David Mahn, project vice president for Second Congress Ltd. “The Austonian is going to be just that. It will offer a complete package of unmatched features and amenities in terms of its address and convenient location, important environmental green aspects, views that will be afforded to every resident, revitalization of the Second Street District of Austin, and an extraordinary architectural design and ‘wow-factor.’ We believe the
Austonian has it all.”

Designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects of Houston, The Austonian will be an elegant, 55-story, elliptical high-rise tower designed with a glass, stone and masonry window wall system atop an urban garden deck on Congress Avenue. At the top of the building, an illuminated architectural roof element will complement the Austin skyline.
“We are privileged to offer to Austin a downtown housing experience that we believe improves people’s lives. With over 28 restaurants, substantial retail, cultural activities and 5 million square feet of office space within a five-minute walk, one can live, work and play without ever getting in a car,” said Terry Mitchell, strategic marketing director for the project. “While the views are extraordinary, we are most excited about the City of Austin becoming a leader in redefining how we can live in a compact city environment with much less of an impact to our beautiful hill country,” he declared.

Construction plans for The Austonian will include important green building innovations, such as a rainwater capture and recycling system, in addition to reduced building emissions. Currently, there are 195 luxury residences with distinctive floor plans, plus compelling interior design selections on the drawing board. The property is being exclusively represented and sold through Austin-based Gottesman Residential Real Estate. Additional features will include a resort-style outdoor pool located in an urban garden area above street level with a conservatory encompassing an outdoor promenade sundeck and cabanas. The top of The Austonian will feature a first-class workout facility and a breathtaking, scenic gathering place that is exclusive to residents. Here, residents can conduct meetings or entertain guests while enjoying
breathtaking panoramic views. Project plans for The Austonian also include a private screening room, conference center, guest suites, and game room. There will be a secure dog park and a host of other personal services and amenities as well.

About Benchmark Development and Second Congress Ltd.

Benchmark Development


(Benchmark) located in Austin, Texas, is the principal of Second Congress

Ltd. Benchmark is a full-service development company, creating award-winning, single-family, condo, office, retail, and mixed-use projects in both the suburban and urban in-fill markets. Projects include “Plum Creek,” a 2200-acre traditional neighborhood design mixed-use community in Kyle, Texas.

Benchmark, a subsidiary of Grupo Villar Mir in Spain, specializes in reviving the great American neighborhood and fostering community interaction between citizens and local businesses.
# # #

For more information on The Austonian, please visit


www.theaustonian.com. For media inquires and

additional high resolution renderings and images contact:


Judy Schmidt
Levenson & Brinker Public Relations
214-932-6066 or 972-261-8004, judy.schmidt@levensonbrinkerpr.com

[greenbelt]

awesome. interestly enough it hasn't changed much from the original post. still obviously not the finally rendering, but probably real close.

curious how the t-stacy building will respond in regard to floor count. any guesses on the height they might top out at, now that the austonian is more or less set. 700 and some change? :cool:

[JRCool]

WOW, so this is pretty much a sure thing huh? That's amazing, it's beautiful! It definatley looks weird to me right now, being that its so dramatically taller than everything else, but none the less I love it!! Can't wait to see it rise.

[crewer]

What a rare case of the redesign being better than the original. Go Austin!

Agreed. I liked the original design when I first saw it, but I think it looks much better wrapping the glass around the sides rather than that solid siding shooting up 40 floors. Mopacs used the original in his PhotoShopped image. I did not like that solid vertical wall at all, particularly with the odd squared whatever the hell that is at the top of it. This new design is a major improvement.

[Mopacs]

awesome. interestly enough it hasn't changed much from the original post. still obviously not the finally rendering, but probably real close.

curious how the t-stacy building will respond in regard to floor count. any guesses on the height they might top out at, now that the austonian is more or less set. 700 and some change? :cool:

I think its time for you to update your "Future Skyline" graphic! :tup:

[OfCourse]

Wow, the Austonian looks great! And it's a good thing it is going to take up that ugly parking lot. Icky!

[messerproperties]

so how much per SF do yall think this "Austonian" character is going to cost?

obviously, this will be the premium residential high-rise in Austin. dam i wish i win the lotto!

[Strayone]

It's stunning, reminds me of something you would see in Chicago, the name says it all" The Austonian". People who live in it will have to learn how to say it with a bit of pompasity, with a bit of an accent like the guy in The Continental. Yeah "The Austinite" just does'nt quite sound right. So they seem to have the drop on T Stacey at this point. Wonder if it will push Staceys back some.

[KevinFromTexas]

I am in love with this building. Oh man, I hope it happens. I can't wait.

[greenbelt]

I think its time for you to update your "Future Skyline" graphic! :tup:

haha, you got it mopacs, give me a week or two and i'll post an update. :cheers:

[LookingUp]

so how much per SF do yall think this "Austonian" character is going to cost?

obviously, this will be the premium residential high-rise in Austin. dam i wish i win the lotto!

These developments don't publish their PSF (per-square-feet) prices, but you can do the math after obtaining the square footage and prices for actual units. I had a realtor contact all the developments for their "asking prices." This is the result:

Novare 360 - $325-425 PSF
Spring ------- $325-450 PSF
The Shore --- $350-500 PSF
AquaTerra --- $350-550 PSF
Austonian ---- $450-600 PSF
Stacy --------- $500-700 PSF

We'll have to see how this plays out. These PSF prices have never worked in Austin. Breaking $300 PSF really limits the number of buyers that can afford them. None of the above projects actually have any "contractual" buyers yet. A refundable deposit for a reservation is a lot different than a Purchase and Sale agreement.

[Mopacs]

LOL.. I figured the "Austonian" announcement would push this thread over the top (2000+ posts). Count this post as 1998 ;)

Can't wait to see your Part II thread Kevin.. I too agree...the Austonian posts should be copied to kick off the thread in style. Its an ongoing topic of discussion, so it will be handy as a reference.

Keep up the good work!

EDIT:

Kevin, is it possible to add small thumbnail images of each building, in your skyscraper table listing? Perhaps thats overkill, but it would be cool to have a small photographic reference, with a link perhaps to a larger image and/or the images posted below it.

[ATLtransplant]

Wow! Congrats Austin, that building looks amazing. For some reason, (maybe someone can explain) I thought there was some sort of capital view corridor ordinance that limited building's heights on or near Congress Ave. How did the Austonian get around that?

[Mopacs]

2001, a space oddity!

ATL... there are a series of 30? narrow 'cone-shapped' corridors emanating outward from selected vantage points around the city (including the University of Texas' South Mall, Mount Bonnell, etc.), within which no structure can block the view of the capitol dome. If a structure is within such a corridor, its allowed height will depend on the distance from the designated vantage point and elevation of the terrain, among other factors. Can someone post a map/graphic of the corridors?

The Austonian site has no such restrictions, and the sky is the limit. In some cases, parts of a particular block will be wthin the corridor, while the other corner is not. To acheive a certain height, such buildings must include setbacks so as not to block the view. Many of us here in Austin feel that there are several corridors that can and should be removed... in many cases they are redundant (such as the I-35 corridor views).

Hope I'm making sense here...

EDIT:

Oops, this is post 2002!

[DanE008]

Man this is great news! For a while there I was concerned about whether this project would make it. Anyways, the design changes were for the best and we still have the post office development which also does not have a view corridor so the sky is the limit for downtown Austin!

[kazpmk]

pg one looks great. lots of projects in austin.

[Trae]

This thread is going to be big, too.

[pyropius]

Woo-hoo Austin! :cheers: And thanks Kevin for putting this together.

This page one is only missing one thing - an updated Lego model of downtown including all the projects proposed and under construction. :yes:

[Mopacs]

The Spring website has an updated graphic/rendering of the skyline, with the tower superimposed (far left):

http://www.springaustin.com

http://images20.fotki.com/v384/photos/5/54967/2949615/SpringDowntownView-vi.jpg

[LiveattheOasis]

That's the most impressive website I have seen yet for any of the buildings going up in Austin. I can't wait until Spring gets off the ground!

[GoldenBoot]

...I'd say we're teetering on the line of overbuilding...

If all of the buildings being proposed for Austin came online within a year of each other, then I'd agree that we're teetering on the brink of "overbuilding." But, as of now, most of these projects are going to come online in phases between now and 2011.


...Shonda Novak has done the same thing that other reporters have done all over the country. She used a real estate agent, in this case, Charles Heimsath, to be the spokesperson and "expert" on the need for downtown housing...

Actually, Mr. Heimsath is neither a real estate salesperson (agent) nor a broker. In fact, he's the president of Capitol Market Research (http://cmraustin.com), an Austin-based firm which provides clients with real estate research, land development economics and market analysis. He's a extremely well respected in the Austin community and is an awfully nice guy - so please cut him some slack. He know's what he's talking about and has no vested interest in puffing Austin's current real estate situation. Thus, he’s usually the one Shonda calls upon for "expert" analysis!

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice rendering for Spring. :tup:

This page one is only missing one thing - an updated Lego model of downtown including all the projects proposed and under construction. :yes:

Here's the most recent pic of the model, (from around November I believe), with some of the proposed buildings labeled. Most of these don't show the actual designs, just their relative heights, sizes and locations.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/My%20Legos/ModelPano2.jpg

[AustinGuy]

Wow, this is a great forum about Austin!

As far as "The Austonian" goes, the name is awful, but the building looks great.

When perusing their website, I found something that makes it obvious who these condos are targeted to. Just click on the "Equal Housing Notice" link on the bottom right corner of the page and you get:

"EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY; WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. ..."

I guess so many Californians are going to buy in The Austonian that the state of California needs to inspect it! :)

[MichaelB]

Re: Spring. One thing (of many) that I found interesting when I visited the Spring preview center is that they included none of the other building that are in construction on either their model or rendering. No Monarch, no 360, no AMLI, no ALtavista....and not a hint of what might be coming infront of them with the potential Gabels site....much less the power plant site.... curious. I remember looking at the Austin City Lofts when they were built and the sales folks there insisting that nothing could be built to block their views. Ooooops. (Monarch) BTW, I actully had the nerve to point all this out at the sales center to my friend whom I was helping thru a decission process and to the woman who was in charge of the center. Ooooops again, it was fun to see her try to play off the impact! Actually I really think it is not an issue, just funny how they are excluding the info!

[GoldenBoot]

[QUOTE=MichaelB]Re: Spring. One thing (of many) that I found interesting when I visited the Spring preview center is that they included none of the other building that are in construction on either their model or rendering. No Monarch, no 360, no AMLI, no ALtavista....and not a hint of what might be coming infront of them with the potential Gabels site....much less the power plant site.... curious...QUOTE]

I would wager a guess that the object of focus for the Spring's preview center is...The Spring. It takes time and costs money to develop computer renderings and physical models. It is not in their interest to spend that time and money placing other people’s projects in their renderings/models. In other words, why provide free advertising to the Monarch, 360, W Hotel & Residences, Altavida, Austonian, etc. when you want people to be interested in and buy your product? Just a thought...

Nonetheless, it would be great to see an actual computer rendering/model of what Austin’s downtown may look like in 2010 (even if it’s rendering/model depicting only half of the proposals). Maybe we should ask the Austin Downtown Alliance or DANA (Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association) to put something together, if they haven’t already.

[LookingUp]

Actually, Mr. Heimsath is neither a real estate salesperson (agent) nor a broker. In fact, he's the president of Capitol Market Research (http://cmraustin.com), an Austin-based firm which provides clients with real estate research, land development economics and market analysis. He's a extremely well respected in the Austin community and is an awfully nice guy - so please cut him some slack. He know's what he's talking about and has no vested interest in puffing Austin's current real estate situation. Thus, he’s usually the one Shonda calls upon for "expert" analysis!

For $10,000 Heimseth will cast any project in positive terms. He never has a "negative" anaylsis because nobody will pay for that. He was paid by Austonian.

Austonian is horrible name, btw - sounds like a place for blue-haired ladies. But, it's a great looking building. Maybe they'll come up with a great name - they have 3 years.

[KevinFromTexas]

It's actually common for developers and architects to not render other new buildings in their renderings regardless of what type they'll be. It's silly, though, because for folks that really are researching the neighborhood, other prospects for a home, and what's going on in the area, they will find out what's up, (or rather what will be). For some projects, though, you'd expect news of more projects to be good, like in the cases of office buildings and new nearby hotels or residential buildings.

[H2O]

Nonetheless, it would be great to see an actual computer rendering/model of what Austin’s downtown may look like in 2010 (even if it’s rendering/model depicting only half of the proposals). Maybe we should ask the Austin Downtown Alliance or DANA (Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association) to put something together, if they haven’t already.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5739/downtown1jj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8849/downtown2zf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

These are getting a little out of date, but they are two versions of model that has been floating around town.

[KevinFromTexas]

Here's an article in today's paper talking about lower-cost/income housing downtown. For downtown to truly be dense, vibrant and be a real neighborhood, there needs to be people there of all income levels. Otherwise you'll still have the bank tellers and hotel staffers driving into work everyday. I read somewhere that Austin has around 20,000 millionairs, that's a nice number, but I doubt all of them have plans to move downtown. So for the city council to achieve their goal of 25,000 people living downtown, they had better think of a way for lower-income people to be able to live there, otherwise it'll never happen.


From the Austin American-Statseman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/29/29affordable.html

Incentives could spur lower-cost housing downtown
Proposal would offer extra height, density in exchange for building cheaper units.

By Sarah Coppola
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, January 29, 2007

Living in downtown Austin is a mere dream for many lower-income residents.

A task force hopes to change that by proposing incentives that the city could offer to spur more lower-cost housing downtown.

The group thinks developers should be allowed to build taller, denser downtown projects than city rules allow, in exchange for selling or renting some units at less than the market rate or giving to an affordable housing fund.

The city-appointed task force of developers and housing advocates hasn't agreed yet on how to encourage lower-cost housing in other parts of the city. It has until mid-February to write a final list of incentives, which the City Council will have to approve.

Developers say building affordable housing downtown is tough because land prices are high. When building there, developers often ask the city for extra height or density.

The task force thinks the city should grant more square footage if developers make 10 percent of rental units affordable for households earning less than $56,900 or 10 percent of for-sale units affordable for households earning less than $84,000. The units would have to remain affordable for at least 40 years through deed restrictions.

Instead of including lower-cost units on-site, developers could also pay $10 into an affordable housing fund for each extra square foot that they build. The city would have to use that money to buy or build lower-cost housing within a 2-mile radius of downtown.

Task force member Cathy Echols agreed to the fee as a compromise but would prefer that developers build lower-cost units in their projects.

"If you follow the line of reasoning that it's too expensive to build affordable housing downtown, it becomes a reason not to build it elsewhere. We need a mixture of income levels in all parts of town, even downtown. Some of the people working at the banks and restaurants and offices downtown should be able to live there," said Echols, who is on the board of the nonprofit advocacy group HousingWorks.

The incentives would not create a surge of lower-cost housing downtown, said Tim Taylor, co-chairman of the task force and a former president of the Real Estate Council of Austin.

"It will create some (affordable units), but it's not going to solve the affordable housing problem downtown. Probably the only way you'll have true affordable housing downtown is with subsidies or government help," he said.

One big hurdle to building lower-cost housing is finding cheap land, so the task force is considering recommending that housing be allowed on lots zoned for industrial use.

Task force member Charles Heimsath, who tracks the hous- ing market as president of Capitol Market Research, said freeing up more land would lower the cost of housing citywide. But some housing advocates worry that would create a ghetto effect, clustering lower-income people in undesirable areas.

Another idea is to tailor incentives to certain parts of town, based on land costs and development difficulties. Some task force members say such a scoring system would be too subjective and unpredictable, but task force co-Chairman Frank Fernandez said it could even out the value of incentives. "Incentives are going to be worth more in different areas. The city has scarce housing resources, and we don't want them to be giving money away" to projects that don't need it as much as others, said Fernandez, executive director of Community Partnership for the Homeless.

For areas outside downtown, task force members want to beef up the city's SMART Housing program, which offers fee waivers and faster project reviews to projects that include lower-cost housing.

Eugene Sepulveda, a task force member and lecturer at the University of Texas' McCombs School of Business, said the city should also offer height and density bonuses in areas outside of downtown such as the Concordia University campus at Interstate 35 and 32nd Street, where neighbors have resisted denser development.

Density bonuses alone won't spur builders to construct the housing that's needed most: for households with incomes less than $42,650 a year, said Walter Moreau, executive director of Foundation Communities, which runs lower-cost apartment complexes in Austin.

Reaching deeper affordability levels will require other solutions, such as the city building on land it owns or using the $55 million in affordable-housing bonds that voters approved in November, he said.

[Mopacs]

Here are some of my novice photoshopping efforts. I've put together some 'guesstimates' as to the scale and positioning of the Austonian within the Austin skyline, by superimposing the rendering(s) (released last week) atop some old photos of mine:

Auditorium shores:

http://images14.fotki.com/v388/photos/5/54967/2949615/AudiotriumShores1-vi.jpg

http://images14.fotki.com/v388/photos/5/54967/2949615/AudiotriumShores2-vi.jpg

From the Book People parking garage, on Lamar

http://images20.fotki.com/v384/photos/5/54967/2949615/LamarBookPeople-vi.jpg


From Longhorn Dam (Pleasant Valley Rd at Lakeshore)

http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/5/54967/2949615/Riverside4-vi.jpg

From Shepherd Mountain, NW of Downtown

http://images14.fotki.com/v388/photos/5/54967/2949615/ShepMountain1-vi.jpg

From Riverside Drive

http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/5/54967/2949615/Riverside2-vi.jpg

http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/5/54967/2949615/Riverside3-vi.jpg

From the West-End

http://images20.fotki.com/v384/photos/5/54967/2949615/WestEnd1-vi.jpg

SE of downtown

http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/5/54967/2949615/Woodland_Skyline1-vi.jpg

I-35 Frontage Road

http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/5/54967/2949615/Woodland_Skyline3-vi.jpg

Barton Creek Mall

http://images14.fotki.com/v388/photos/5/54967/2949615/bartoncreek1-vi.jpg

From the state capitol building

http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/5/54967/2949615/FromCapitol1-vi.jpg

[pyropius]

Great renders. Wherever you go, IT'S WATCHING YOU.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/lancekent/allthelivelongday.jpg

(you can't escape it, at night or early in the morn)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/lancekent/austiebitey_3.gif

[KevinFromTexas]

lol

I know what you mean. I got up to get a drink of water, and when I came back, it was still there, staring at me. I drank my water and pretended it wasn't there.

[Trae]

Is that Austin's new tallest (the Austonian)?

http://www.theaustonian.com/pic01.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

It's one of two buildings that are proposed to become our new tallest. But since this one is supposed to breakground sometime early this year, it'll be finished before the Tom Stacy Tower at 501 Congress, (around 2009), making it the tallest building in Austin for atleast a little while. Even so, 360 by beating the Frost Bank Tower, will be our new tallest sometime next year. When all is said and done we could end up with as many as 4 new tallest buildings this decade - Frost Bank Tower, 360, The Austonian, and Tom Stacy/501 Congress.

[MichaelB]

Re: Spring..... one more time. While I do understand that the Spring folks would want to focus on Spring.... it still feels like the "not whole truth" to not include other nearby projects. The cost of adding three or four small boxes to their existing white model would be minimal. I guess they figure less folks would want to buy a view of the Monarch or 360! Afterall those wonderful photos of what view you would have from their tower sure would look different! It is a questionalbe mis-represetation.

[MichaelB]

and while I'm at it..... the renderings of the "Austionian" serves the same minor injustice. The impact of that tower would be minimized as well if you included the already begun AltaVista and the AMLI tower..... and the W. I understand not including T. Stacey.... 'cause that is still speculation.... but the Alta Vista project will greatly impact many views to the south and the W and AMLI will impact many views to the west....

[LiveattheOasis]

That's all true, but if we want any more big buildings downtown, we want them to do all in their power to sell ...



Just kidding.



MichaelB, have you heard anything more on Spring? I thought it might have been you who had a friend working on the site?

[H2O]

Here's another one I came across somewhere. Apparently it was part of Benchmark's efforts to determine how high to go.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/771/2ndcongressgb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Mopacs]

Thats a cool find there H2O... Even with the current projects under construction, this city is going to look incredible in a few years.

Here's a few more renders I put together, using two vantage points (Riverside/Town Lake and South Congress). T Stacy, Altavida, Block 21, and Four Seasons were inclued...

From South Congress Avenue...With Block 21 and Altavida

http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/5/54967/2949615/Austonion_SoCo_AltavidaBlock21-vi.jpg

...and with T-Stacy's 700 footer ...

http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/5/54967/2949615/ion_SoCo_TstacyAltavidaBlock21-vi.jpg

From Riverside Drive/Town Lake...

http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/5/54967/2949615/Riverside2_AltaVidaTstacy-vi.jpg

With the Four Seasons Residences thrown in (making the most of the only rendering I could find):

http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/5/54967/2949615/de2_AltaVidaTstacyFourseasons2-vi.jpg

http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/5/54967/2949615/ide2_AltaVidaTstacyFourseasons-vi.jpg

[MichaelB]

That's all true, but if we want any more big buildings downtown, we want them to do all in their power to sell ...



Just kidding.



MichaelB, have you heard anything more on Spring? I thought it might have been you who had a friend working on the site?

Nope.... wish I coudl help on that end. I was helping a friend who is thinking of buying there figure out if the GP's would work for him.

[KevinFromTexas]

Great job on those skyline renderings, Mopacs.

[LoneStarMike]

I was kind of surprised to see 21 Rio still listed on page 1 as a possibility. Has anyone heard anything at all about this project?

The last I ever read anything about 21 Rio was this post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2180995&postcount=1383) back in July on the archived thread. The poster said the building permit had expired and it was assumed the project had been canned.

If that's not the case, and you want a rendering, here's the one that was circulating back when it was in the news.

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/9416/21rio0in.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

I haven't actually. I fear it to be dead, too. Maybe I should update it? Goldenboot, I believe that was you who posted about that, correct?

Also, I've done some work on the first page of this thread to tone down the colors a bit. I also added a new height category, (900 to 999 feet), and shuffled a few of the colors around so there's not a wall of bright colors. This way once there's more proposals of varying heights the colors won't be so blinding, (I hope)! Let me know what ya think.

[GoldenBoot]

I haven't actually. I fear it to be dead, too. Maybe I should update it? Goldenboot, I believe that was you who posted about that, correct?

I don't remember breaking the news on this project. However, as far as I know, the site plan is still working its way through city hall and the project is slated to be complete sometime in 2008. I'm assuming that would mean the developers would break ground within the coming months.

[MichaelB]

Hey GoldenBoot......question.... was it you that had the info on all the property around "Dog and Duck"..... as in the sale of the land.... if so, where did you get that info? If it wasn't you..... can anyone tell me where you find such things?
Thanks...M

[GoldenBoot]

Hey GoldenBoot......question.... was it you that had the info on all the property around "Dog and Duck"..... as in the sale of the land.... if so, where did you get that info? If it wasn't you..... can anyone tell me where you find such things?
Thanks...M


No, sorry, it wasn't me. But, I'm interested in what may be going on over there!

You might be able to ascertain information as to the owners of the property from Travis County Appraisal District's (http://www.traviscad.org) website or the Travis County Tax Office (http://68.89.17.26/showSearchMain.do).

[MichaelB]

No, sorry, it wasn't me. But, I'm interested in what may be going on over there!

You might be able to ascertain information as to the owners of the property from Travis County Appraisal District's (http://www.traviscad.org) website or the Travis County Tax Office (http://68.89.17.26/showSearchMain.do).

Thanks for the info. Basically the Travis building @ Guadalupe and 18th has been in the hands of a company that intends to build a hotel. They have also purchased the apartment building to the west. (last tenents out by March). Rumor has it they were after the "Dog and Duck" property as well. Someone on the forum said they were able to find out that property was sold in the past year.... but to a different owner..... just tryin' to figure out what's going on in the 'hood. Happy to see the develoment in the area... sad to think D and D might have a limited shelf life! I'll keep folks posted.

[GoldenBoot]

http://www.seaholm.info/graphics/aerialnew.jpg

Austin nearer to transforming Seaholm

City to get look at plans for $100 million redevelopment while negotiating final public-private deal.


By Shonda Novak
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Thursday, February 01, 2007

Developers are expected to roll out today their vision for a mixed-use project that would transform the former Seaholm Power Plant into shops, offices, a hotel and condominiums by 2009.

The Austin City Council will get its first look at a new rendering of the project, which features a modern design while retaining the distinctive Art Deco building and its five signature smokestacks.

The decommissioned 1940s plant sits on about 8 acres along West Cesar Chavez Street overlooking Town Lake.

An adjacent 22-story residential/hotel tower and two-story office building also would have a modern design but with an Art Deco flavor.

The project is a joint venture between the City of Austin and Seaholm Power LLC, which the city in 2005 tapped as its partner to oversee redevelopment of the landmark site.

Construction, which would cost more than $100 million, is expected to begin this fall. The first parts of the project are expected to open in mid-2009.

The rendering illustrates just how dramatic the transformation of the iconic plant and surrounding land would be.

The 136,000-square-foot building that housed the power plant would have 99,000 square feet of rentable retail space, with a mix of local, regional and national tenants plus restaurants and cafes.

The residential/hotel tower would loom over the original Seaholm structure, featuring 60 condo units on the top seven floors of a 160-room boutique hotel. The condo owners would have concierge and valet services and other amenities of the hotel.

The project also would include a two-story office building with 62,000 square feet. Two terraces will be used by residents of the hotel and condos, as well as the public.

More than 3 acres of the site would be preserved as as green space. Seaholm also would be a transportation hub, with future commercial rail connections, including a line between Austin and San Antonio.

Southwest Strategies Group, an Austin-based commercial real estate company, is leading the redevelopment team. Seaholm Power LLC is in the final stages of negotiating a development agreement with the City of Austin for the project.

"This is an historic event and an opportunity for saving a slice of Austin's history," said John Rosato, managing partner of Seaholm Power LLC. "It's the first time that the city has entered into a public-private venture for the sole purpose of saving an iconic building in Austin."

Assistant City Manager Laura Huffman said, "We view this as a pivotal opportunity for revitalizing downtown" and realizing a longtime goal for a transit hub at Seaholm.

Huffman said the city will make "significant investments in the project," although details are still being worked out.

Huffman said increased property and sales taxes generated from the development would be used to fund the city's portion of the project, which will be spelled out in the development agreement.

Once those investments are paid off, the city would devote 40 percent of the incremental property taxes to affordable housing, Huffman said.

Rosato said other community benefits of the redevelopment include the planned extension of West Second Street to Seaholm.

Two other Austin-based companies, Centro Partners and La Corsha Hospitality Group, round out the redevelopment team.

Centro would develop the condos. Units could cost from about $450,000 for about 1,200 square feet to more than $1 million for the largest 3,000-square-foot units, Rosato said.

Jeff Trigger, former managing director of the historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin, would oversee the construction, management and operations of the Seaholm Plaza Hotel, to be built just north of the former power plant, through La Corsha, his newly formed hotel management and consulting company.

snovak@statesman.com; 445-3856


*CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE RENDERINGS... (http://www.seaholm.info/html/renderings.html)*

[crewer]

...The decommissioned 1940s plant sits on about 8 acres along West Cesar Chavez Street overlooking Town Lake.

I thought Seaholm was built in 1950. In fact the website said it was built between 1950 and 58. Was there a pre-existing power generator there by chance in the 40's?

[crewer]

.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5739/downtown1jj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

By the way, I meant to ask when this image was posted a few days ago what that building is that's located just west of Seaholm on the north side of the Lamar Bridge. I'm assuming it was that apartment or condo complex that was to be developed on that property. What I find interesting is that the shape of it looks pretty specific, yet I don't recall any renderings. Is there anything out on that?

[bradford]

Didn't the original design of the Seaholm plant have the office in a tower on the back of the property? I thought there was going to be a plaza between the office tower/hotel tower and the Seaholm plant.

[KevinFromTexas]

By the way, I meant to ask when this image was posted a few days ago what that building is that's located just west of Seaholm on the north side of the Lamar Bridge. I'm assuming it was that apartment or condo complex that was to be developed on that property. What I find interesting is that the shape of it looks pretty specific, yet I don't recall any renderings. Is there anything out on that?

Yes, those two buildings to the west of the Seaholm site are an apartment and condo project. The apartment part would be 10 floors while the condo tower would be 195 feet with 15 floors. The name is Gables Park Plaza. It would also build a new street add an addition to the Lamar pedestrian bridge.

So far, the below image is the only rendering we've seen of the project. This was posted in the paper early last year. Check the first page of this thread for renderings of Austin's projects. There's a bunch.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KevinFromTexas/Austin%20renderings%20highrises/AustinGablesParkPlazarendering.jpg

[StoOgE]

Those two projects plus the water treatment plan are huge. Not just because they bring more people downtown, but they really will open up the West end South of 5th street and connect it with the rest of downtown. Right now its kinda cut off from the rest of the CBD.

Getting around downtown will become much easier and projects like 360 and Spring will no longer be on the outskirts of the beaten path... this will also serve to connect the West end much more efficiently with the hike and bike trail, auditorium shores, zilker and the retail on that side of the river... which is huge considering how many condos are supposed to go in that part of downtown.

[StoOgE]

KVUE seems to be running a story on the 630 news about downtown growth..

they seem to be using someone on this sites photoshops (or they made their own).. their tag line was "See why Austin is going to be more like Houston".. usual BS comparing dense development to being a "big dirty city" when denser development helps curbe urban sprawl.

I'll update with the actual story once they run it.

Edit: No story.. maybe it was a tease for their late news.

[KevinFromTexas]

In case anyone's wondering, Photobucket sucks sometimes. :yes:

[Strayone]

In case anyone's wondering, Photobucket sucks sometimes. :yes:

Really LOL

[KevinFromTexas]

^ Yep.

This was kind of funny. I sort of sympathize with what he's saying.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/02/2kelso.html

COMMENTARY: JOHN KELSO
Look: Up in the sky: it's a bunch of yuppie Austonians

Friday, February 02, 2007

Second Congress Ltd. is laying a large egg by planning to put a new high-dollar 55-story condo tower at Second Street and Congress Avenue.

Don't these people realize that Perrier goes flat above 44 stories?

It's not just the height of this building — 22 stories higher than the Frost Bank Tower, the tallest building in town — that bothers me. Nor is it the price: units running from $500,000 to more than $1 million. Nor is it the tony amenities: resort-style pool, promenade sundeck, concierge service.

It's the name: The Austonian. Isn't that a bit too close to Bostonian? Since when did people who live in Austin become Austonians? Last I heard we were Austinites.

The Austonian. Noses are rising as we speak. Why would someone come up with such a pretentious tag?

"We felt like it portrayed what the building is going to stand for, and we thought that was a very strong name that sets off the stage that it is a very strong building with all the amenities and the array of people that it will hopefully entice," said Shannon Windham, of Gottesman Residential, the company selling the condos.

Oh.

In other words, a bunch of yuppies sat around a big table to come up with this name while Starbucks shot out their noses.

The Austonian disturbs me because it could change the term we use to define Austin residents. On the other hand, it may be time for our city's inhabitants to get a new tag. With all the monied snoots moving in to fill up all these condos going up downtown, we have a brand-new class of people here.

So how do you tell an Austinite from an Austonian?

If you have Lone Star, you're an Austinite. If you have OnStar, you're an Austonian.

If you think it's OK to take your dog to a bar, you're an Austinite. If you think it's OK to take your dog to a bar in your purse, you're an Austonian.

If the Valle in your life is preceded by Del, you're an Austinite. If the valet in your life is parking your Acura and you own a piece of Dell, you're an Austonian.

If you call it I-35, you're an Austinite. If you call it THE I-35, you're an Austonian.

If you've got a beer koozie, you're an Austinite. If you've got a Jacuzzi, you're an Austonian.

If it bothered you when the 'Dillo closed, you're an Austinite. If it bothered you when that silly-looking Warehouse District bar called Oslo closed, you're an Austonian.

If you think it's acceptable to pay $3.25 for an order of tortilla chips and salsa, you're an Austonian. If you think the owner should be caned for charging anything at all for chips and salsa, you're an Austinite.

[sakyle04]

You know, calling a building in Austin the Austonian is like calling a San Antonio building the San Antinian. It's just a little bizarre. :koko:

[meljoe]

I just received the anticipated pricing for the Spring project. (I have been on their reservation list for over 18 months). I must say I am very depressed. I guess I was planning for expensive, just not ridiculous!

Below is a summary table.

Unit Size Price Range Price/sq.ft
A 576 $235,000 $310,000 $408-$538
B 699 $315,000 $385,000 $451-$551
C 995 $445,000 $540,000 $447-$543
D 1039 $465,000 $540,000 $448-$520
E 1616 $790,000 $920,000 $489-$569
F 1720 $825,000 $950,000 $480-$552

Is the market really going to support $500/sf condos in Austin?

[LookingUp]

I just received the anticipated pricing for the Spring project. (I have been on their reservation list for over 18 months). I must say I am very depressed. I guess I was planning for expensive, just not ridiculous!

Below is a summary table.

Unit Size Price Range Price/sq.ft
A 576 $235,000 $310,000 $408-$538
B 699 $315,000 $385,000 $451-$551
C 995 $445,000 $540,000 $447-$543
D 1039 $465,000 $540,000 $448-$520
E 1616 $790,000 $920,000 $489-$569
F 1720 $825,000 $950,000 $480-$552

Is the market really going to support $500/sf condos in Austin?

Spring was promoted as "Affordable Luxury," with reasonable prices. These prices are insane. Two "Springs" ago Perry Lorenz and his band of fools said prices would be $300-350 PSF. Expect the same bait-and-switch from Novare 360.

[cuban]

I just received the anticipated pricing for the Spring project. (I have been on their reservation list for over 18 months). I must say I am very depressed. I guess I was planning for expensive, just not ridiculous!
...


I am also on the reservation list, but only for about 6 months. (My reservation agreement hints at #690, currently out of 780 as the Austonian article mentions.)

I thought there was a interesting twist to the packet Spring reservation holders received in the mail yesterday. In addition to the pricing list, there is a postage-paid card addressed to Spring. On it, there is a list of Residences A-F with a checkbox next to each, and a request to check off the Residence you are most interested in. Curiously enough, your name & place in line is coded on the postcard, and it goes on to say that it MUST be returned by 2/14, less than two weeks from now.

What is this? In an accompanying letter, Spring doesn't mention this being a requirement -- it uses the word "please" but nothing more concrete. A postcard doesn't exactly sound binding, which leaves me to think it's purely information only.

Or is it? To give Spring a little credit, it's not only a smart move to poll the base to see which units are most in demand, but also it's a brilliant tactic to generate demand through pressure of time. Remember, this is the first time reservation holders have seen even ballpark prices, and now they are being asked to signal intent to commit to a residence, with less than 2 weeks' time to think about it. Even being nonbinding, the postcard serves as a driver for folks to take action. Honey, they're asking us to pick a unit...we need to make up our minds. Furthermore, limiting the time to commit (even unofficially) has been scientifically shown to lower cognitive capacity. With less than 2 weeks, people will not deliberate for very long before the postcard's deadline, and the emotional lure of living downtown may play right into the seller's hands. All in all, I found this to be an extremely clever sales tactic on the part of Spring.

(BTW, first post. I only stumbled on this page last week, but I'm thrilled to dicover a forum where people are discussing Austin's downtown projects. Some of the rendering are simply amazing guys. Keep up the great work)

[KevinFromTexas]

All along they have called the below project an "8-story" building, but I don't see any 8 floors. I count 6 tops. I believe they're saying it's 80 feet tall. By that logic The Austonian would be 70 stories!

Anyways...click the below link to see the rendering and map.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/02/03//3downtown.html

REAL ESTATE
Condos likely to sprout near Capitol
Developer of 8-story project is planning underground parking and street-level stores.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Saturday, February 03, 2007

A mid-rise luxury condominium project is headed downtown, two blocks from the Capitol.

Developers plan to break ground on the $50 million project, the Metropolitan, in late March. The site at 311 E. 11th St. is a parking lot behind the VFW office building at East 11th Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.

The developer, the Mote Group, plans a chic, eight-story building with units priced from the mid-$300,000s for about 900 square feet to more than $1 million for the larger penthouses, two-story glass lofts with private roof gardens. The project is expected to take two years to build, opening in 2009.

The Metropolitan is one of a dozen or so residential projects planned or under construction downtown, a building boom spurred by continued demand for urban living.

Most units will have balconies, and residents will have concierge and valet services, along with amenities that include a private club, the Fountainhead.

Parking will be on six levels underground, and the building will have street-level retail.

Thomas Mote, president of the Mote Group, said he expects buyers to include lobbyists and Capitol workers.

Austin-based Noack-Little Architects Inc. is designing the building. Clay Little, a principal with the firm, said the design aims to create an "architectural landmark suitable for the vibrant and exciting culture that is Austin."

Several other projects are under way nearby, including the Red River Flats, a luxury apartment project under construction on Red River Street, and Brazos Place, an office building that is being converted to condo- miniums.

Density "is necessary amid ever-increasing demand for a lifestyle in Austin's urban core," said Gregg Bell, chief financial officer of Pauly Presley Realty Corp., the marketing firm for the project. "There's only so much land."

[AustinGuy]

I just received the anticipated pricing for the Spring project. (I have been on their reservation list for over 18 months). I must say I am very depressed. I guess I was planning for expensive, just not ridiculous!

Below is a summary table.

Unit Size Price Range Price/sq.ft
A 576 $235,000 $310,000 $408-$538
B 699 $315,000 $385,000 $451-$551
C 995 $445,000 $540,000 $447-$543
D 1039 $465,000 $540,000 $448-$520
E 1616 $790,000 $920,000 $489-$569
F 1720 $825,000 $950,000 $480-$552

Is the market really going to support $500/sf condos in Austin?

Any word in the packet about how much the monthly fees will be? Are we looking at $500/month in condo fees on top of these prices?

Personally, I don't think the market supports these prices if all of the projects in the pipeline get built. Condo sellers aren't stupid though. By pricing the units this high, they are taking away the profits from any potential flippers in the reservation queue.

[crewer]

Any word in the packet about how much the monthly fees will be? Are we looking at $500/month in condo fees on top of these prices?

Personally, I don't think the market supports these prices if all of the projects in the pipeline get built. Condo sellers aren't stupid though. By pricing the units this high, they are taking away the profits from any potential flippers in the reservation queue.

Very interesting. Condos in the hottest DC neighborhoods are coming in at $527 a sf. In Chicago you could easily grab a condo in a swank high rise for at least $100 sf. less.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Spring was first proposed, weren't they saying things about how this affordable building would give people like teachers and policemen the opportunity to own a downtown condo?

[LookingUp]

Very interesting. Condos in the hottest DC neighborhoods are coming in at $527 a sf. In Chicago you could easily grab a condo in a swank high rise for at least $100 sf. less.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Spring was first proposed, weren't they saying things about how this affordable building would give people like teachers and policemen the opportunity to own a downtown condo?

That's what they said - "affordable luxury." Same tactic at 360. Hopefully, potential buyers will see that the units at Spring and 360 are way overpriced and not very "luxurious." Unfortunately, it seems the condo industry still relies heavily on "ignorance." I'm not sure realtors even understand condo pricing.

Real high-rise "Luxury" condos in Dallas average about $450 PSF. At these prices the market absorbs about 1,000 units a year. For many reasons Austin is certainly no Dallas (thankfully), but for Spring and 360 to be priced higher than the W in Dallas is insane. (Come on, we're smarter than that Perry and Taylor. Rethink your pricing - you don't have enough buyers in Austin).

[MichaelB]

[QUOTE Come on, we're smarter than that Perry and Taylor. Rethink your pricing - you don't have enough buyers in Austin.[/QUOTE]

I'm curious, what makes you think, as business men first, these developers aren't just testing the waters to see how much profit they can make? These are not commnunity/government projects. They are for profit. I am personally dissapointed these are not lower priced.... but I simply figure that when they are not selling, the price will fall. What on earth is the big deal?

[DrT]

Any word in the packet about how much the monthly fees will be? Are we looking at $500/month in condo fees on top of these prices?

Personally, I don't think the market supports these prices if all of the projects in the pipeline get built. Condo sellers aren't stupid though. By pricing the units this high, they are taking away the profits from any potential flippers in the reservation queue.

They are affordable, to the rich. The $500/month condo fee is the least of your worries. Wait until you get the property tax bill. At least the condo fees are spent on your building. The property tax is an open invitation for anyone who "needs" the money to use your condo as an ATM machine. Without some kind of cap on the property taxes, I will not be buying.

[LookingUp]

I'm curious, what makes you think, as business men first, these developers aren't just testing the waters to see how much profit they can make? These are not commnunity/government projects. They are for profit. I am personally dissapointed these are not lower priced.... but I simply figure that when they are not selling, the price will fall. What on earth is the big deal?

They should get as much as the market will accept. But, there is very little market at $500 PSF (especially in Austin). The question is more to the viablity of Spring/360 - if you can't sell it, why build it? If these projects reduce their pricing closer to $300 PSF there are plenty of buyers. Less profit to the developer = bigger market.

Maybe Perry Lorenz (Spring) and Taylor Andrews (360) will lower prices - perhaps closer to what they've said during the last 18 months "$300-$400 PSF," not +$500 PSF. That 25%-60% higher than they told us. Remember "starting at $200,000?" What? Three units? 500 square foot units?

They're on this Forum all the time - let them share their rational for these prices. Even Austin doesn't have enough fools to pay $500 PSF for less-than-luxury high-rise condos. This is way beyond "weird."

Even the recently announced Metropolitan (11th and San Jacinto - lovely area) is expecting to sell for $400-500 PSF .... to who?

Downtown Austin needs housing priced from the equivalent transition from urban luxury apartments to home ownership and higher (not all higher). AMLI, 404 Rio Grande and the junk on the East side of 35 all rent for $2.00 PSF or a monthly payment of $2,000 for a decent one-bedroom. The prices for Spring, 360 and many of the others start at $3,500 per month for their cheapest condo (near the dumpster). Their average monthly cost for a condo is more than $5,000 per month! These monthly amounts include mortgage (30-yr fixed), association fees and taxes. How many buyers can afford those payments?

Others will hopefully add to this discussion - especially those trying to find a place to "own" downtown. Recently the Statesman had an article talking about subsidizing downtown living. How long will it be before Spring and 360 begin looking for government assistance? I can hear it now "so our teachers and police and firemen can live downtown." I expect this will come out in the next few months. It will be interesting to watch.

[KevinFromTexas]

Big news in today's paper. Click on the link below to see the map. I'm a bit surprised they didn't go higher, though, considering there's no height restriction for the post office site. Anyway, this is great news since it'll likely mean atleast another 500 footer and another 400 footer. This will help soften the blow from The Austonian and T. Stacy Tower.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/business/stories/realestate/02/06/6novare.html

REAL ESTATE
Plans revealed for new postal service tower, condominiums
Another high rise is scheduled for current post office site.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, February 05, 2007

Two more high-rise residential towers with more than 900 condominiums are slated to be built downtown, including a 35-story tower at Sixth and Nueces streets that will provide a new home for the existing downtown post office.

Atlanta-based Novare Group Holdings and its Austin-based partner, Andrews Urban LLC, plan to break ground on the first building this fall. It will have about about 400 condominiums in a tower that will adjoin a new two-story postal facility at the corner of Fifth and San Antonio.

The post office would open in 2008 and the residential tower in fall 2009.

Once the post office moves into its new building, the developers plan to start construction on a second high-rise at the existing postal site. It would be a 40-story tower with more than 500 condos as well as more than 100 hotel rooms and and more than 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Both projects are expected to cost a total of $300 million.

The hotel operator has not been determined. However, Novare has a hotel subsidiary called Twelve Hotels that operates an existing 101-room hotel in Atlanta. Two more Twelve hotels are under construction, one at Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta and another in Charlotte, N.C.

The development will include a seven-story parking garage; one level will be for shared parking for post office and retail customers.

The U.S. Postal Service selected Novare/Andrews Urban in August through a competitive selection process to redevelop its existing downtown location, at Fifth and Guadalupe streets. Mayor Will Wynn and many local developers have long said the site is under-used, with a one-and-a-half-story post office occupying 76,000 square feet of a prime downtown block.

The 35-story tower will occupy three-quarters of a city block adjacent to the existing Miller Blueprint Co. that Novare/Andrews Urban purchased in December. The site originally was slated for a second office tower that Intel Corp. planned, along with a chip-design factory that it halted work on amid the tech bust of 2001.

Both new towers will need city zoning variances to build higher-density projects. The developers plan to incorporate city guidelines for wider streets, with tree-lined sidewalks and benches and bicycle racks.

The condo units in both towers are expected to be priced comparably to 360, a 44-story condo project Novare/Andrews Urban is building at Third and Nueces streets.

Prices there start at under $200,000 for a one-bedroom home and under $300,000 for a two-bedroom unit. The most expensive units are in the mid-$500,000s.

With more than a dozen residential projects being built or planned downtown, developers say demand is especially keen for units with more moderately priced units, which Novare/Andrews Urban says its projects will provide.

Taylor Andrews, president of Andrews Urban, declined to say how many people are on 360's list of prospective buyers, but said demand has "far exceeded expectations."

"We have enough interest that we eagerly would like to get more than 900 units in downtown Austin," Andrews said. "We believe that the demand for attainably priced housing in downtown Austin far exceeds the planned condominium pipeline," Andrews said.

The 360 sales center will open in late February. The tower is expected to open in spring 2008. It will have 430 condominiums and about 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, including restaurant space.

[Jdawgboy]

wow I am a bit dissapointed in the fact that they are not taller. Honestly with the hype about that site I thought we were going to see some monster size buildings. Though its ironic but just a few years ago a 35 story buildnig and a 40 story building would be very exciting LOL but now its like um okay well damn its not taller??? I would hope that between now and groundbreaking that they may tweek there plans up a bit more...

[ATLtransplant]

Crescent Explores Austin Exit
http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/02/05/story4.html?page=2&b=1170651600^1412293

And Novare's Annual Report (Developer of 360)
http://novaregroup.com/resources/Novare_07_Winter.pdf

[AustinGuy]

Judging by condo pre-sales activities in other cities over the last few years, we can be fairly certain that a large # of people in the reservation queue on these projects are purchasing with the intention of flipping as soon as the project is completed.

Now it will be interesting to see if the increased price per square foot on these projects scares some of these flippers off. The flippers just lost out on $200/ft profit that they "might" have made if the project had been completed at the original price.

I predict that Spring & 360 will have a difficult time selling out at the new prices even if their reservation queue is currently overflowing. If they can't sell at the new prices, some of the other projects may get delayed.

This is definitely an exciting time for downtown Austin. Personally, I hope all of these projects get built so that we have that many more housing options downtown in the future.

[WestAustinite]

FYI, Spring just announced pricing on most units of $400-$550/SF. Ouch.

[StoOgE]

hopefully these towers will be good designed, because alot of Novarres stuff is kinda bland. Not that 360 is bad.. but its not great either. Plus its a copycat building.

[mSeattle]

Austin is blowing up.

[LookingUp]

FYI, Spring just announced pricing on most units of $400-$550/SF. Ouch.

Their goal is to average $525 PSF for Spring. There are very few units at less than $450 PSF.

Remember, Milago did well with a good product (not great) in a great location and with prices of $250-$300 PSF. Spring and 360 are similar products (non-luxury) in good locations - and they want TWICE as much $-PSF?

We all want to see these buildings completed, but who's going to buy them. Their banks are not allowing any investor participation (read: no flipping). Where are the buyers?

[AustinGuy]

Their banks are not allowing any investor participation (read: no flipping). Where are the buyers?

How exactly will the banks prevent this? I've seen some buildings which require the purchaser to hold for a year before selling, but that doesn't mean no flippers. I do think the new price increases will drive the flippers away.

[ivanwolf]

i know my friends who had a $500 deposit down on Spring just pulled it, they are now looking at 360 but i think that it too will raise the price in time even though they are starting there sales kick off soon, prices not announced, how convenient. I would love to get into one of these but even if i had the money i think i would wait to see how the sales are like once they are built. There are like 10 units or more at Milago for sale now. and they are all at good prices, $250 and up, i would rather be there i think.

[LookingUp]

How exactly will the banks prevent this? I've seen some buildings which require the purchaser to hold for a year before selling, but that doesn't mean no flippers. I do think the new price increases will drive the flippers away.

Spring and 360 lied to us, they can't lie to the bank - they agreed not to. It is contained in their loan documentation for project financing. Banks have become much more concerned about the "quaility" of the buyers (perhaps, too many of the developer's relatives). Banks are now requiring 70% pre-sales with "qualified buyers."

By the way, Novare's other projects are selling for $250-$350 PSF in Tampa and Nashville. Why so much more in Austin?

[KevinFromTexas]

Here's the extended version of the article. It doesn't include a rendering, though. Maybe the paper does? Click on the link below for the map which shows the footprints of the buildings.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/02/06/6postoffice.html

[b]REAL ESTATE
2 condo high-rises included in downtown post office redevelopment
Downtown residential building boom continues, but some begin to wonder about a glut.

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

More high-rise living is planned for downtown.

Two mixed-use towers with more than 900 condominiums are scheduled to be built, including a 35-story complex that will provide a new home for the downtown post office.

The projects come amid a residential building boom downtown. And although some people have raised concerns about potential overbuilding, developers say demand continues to outpace supply.

Atlanta-based Novare Group Holdings and its Austin-based partner, Andrews Urban LLC, plan to break ground on the first high-rise this fall. It will have about 400 condominiums in a tower at Sixth and Nueces streets connected to a new two-story postal facility at Fifth and San Antonio streets. The post office will have about 25,000 square feet, with about 13,000 on the ground floor.

The post office would open in 2008. The residential tower, which would include ground-floor retail space, would open in the fall of 2009. The site is now a parking lot adjacent to Miller Blueprint Co.

After the post office moves into the new building, the developers plan to start construction on a second high-rise at the former postal site across San Antonio Street. It would be a tower with about 40 stories and more than 500 condos. It would have more than 100 hotel rooms and and more than 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. That tower is expected to open in the fall of 2010.

The new high-rises, along with a 44-story condo tower that Novare/Andrews Urban is building, would make the company downtown's largest residential developer.

The two post office-related projects combined are expected to add about $300 million to the city's tax base. Retail customers in both projects will be charged for parking. Developers have not decided whether there will be public parking as well.

The new post office site will include a seven-story parking garage, with one level of shared parking for post office and retail customers, and the rest for the condo residents. Post office parking would be free.

The U.S. Postal Service chose Novare/Andrews Urban in August through a competition to redevelop its downtown site at Fifth and Guadalupe streets. Mayor Will Wynn and many local developers have long said the site is underused, with a 1 1/2-story post office occupying 76,000 square feet of a prime downtown block.

"I'm really pleased that Novare Group and Andrews Urban are delivering on the vision of a far more vibrant and urban environment in this part of downtown," Wynn said in a statement.

Mike Wolfe of the U.S. Postal Service said the government is pleased with the initial designs.

The post office and 35-story condo tower will occupy three-quarters of a city block that Novare/Andrews Urban bought in December. The site originally was to have an office tower that Intel Corp. planned as the second phase of a chip-design facility it started but left unfinished during the tech bust of 2001.

Both new towers will need city zoning variances for higher-density projects. The developers plan to incorporate city guidelines for wider streets, with tree-lined sidewalks, benches and bicycle racks.

The condo units in both towers are expected to be priced comparably to Novare/Andrew Urban's other project, called 360, being built at Third and Nueces. That tower, with 430 condominiums, is scheduled to open in May 2008. Prices are expected to range from $190,000 to $550,000, with unit sizes from 785 to 1,638 square feet. Sizes in the new towers are expected to be similar.

With at least 16 residential projects being built or planned downtown, developers say demand is especially keen for buildings with more moderately priced units. And Novare/Andrews Urban says it will provide them.

Taylor Andrews, president of Andrews Urban, declined to say how many people are on 360's list of prospective buyers but said demand has "far exceeded expectations."

But developers of another downtown residential high-rise, who planned to keep prices at levels similar to Novare's, are finding out how challenging that is.

The historically high cost of land downtown and sharply rising costs of construction materials and labor are pushing up prices at the 41-story Spring condominium tower, set for groundbreaking soon at Third and Bowie streets.

Spring's developers, Robert Barnstone, Diana Zuniga and Perry Lorenz, had hoped to price units from $200,000 to $400,000. Now, those prices have jumped to about $235,000 for a one-bedroom condo with about 600 square feet and to the mid-$450,000s for a two-bedroom unit with about 1,100 square feet, Barnstone said.

The developers have added some larger three-bedroom penthouse units, which initially will be priced in the mid-$700,000s, he said.

Barnstone says plumbing, electrical and other subcontractors are in short supply in Austin. So, the contractor is having to recruit electricians from Florida. Also, the building's extensive windows are costing twice as much as originally budgeted, he said.

Houston-based Metrostudy, which tracks the housing market, said developers started 728 downtown condo units in 2006.

Three condo high-rises — the 360, Spring and the Shore condominiums — are under construction downtown.

"This will be a telling year in the downtown condo market as those three projects begin to convert their unit reservations into actual contracts to purchase," said Eldon Rude, director of the Austin office of Metrostudy.

Local real estate consultant Charles Heimsath said demand for residential units downtown "is very strong, and many people will be interested in purchasing units at the Novare projects due to their lower prices and central location near office towers and the Warehouse District."

Barnstone said he isn't worried about a downtown condo glut. Spring's marketing center, which opened in mid-December, is taking, on average, two reservations a day for its 240-unit project and has about 780 potential buyers interested in reserving a unit, he said.

"While some may think we are building too much too soon, I suggest the opposite is true," Barnstone said. "We are in the first inning of a very exciting ballgame. When the reality of Austin's new downtown takes shape, people that never thought they would want to live downtown will reconsider. In fact, I predict that downtown development will be the new engine of growth for Austin."

[LiveattheOasis]

Spring is under downtown construction? I havent seen it. Am I missing something?

[KevinFromTexas]

Spring is under downtown construction? I havent seen it. Am I missing something?

I don't believe it's started yet.

The historically high cost of land downtown and sharply rising costs of construction materials and labor are pushing up prices at the 41-story Spring condominium tower, set for groundbreaking soon at Third and Bowie streets.

Wasn't it supposed to start in March?

[GoldenBoot]

Spring is under downtown construction? I havent seen it. Am I missing something?

Yes. It's being constructed six blocks north of its originally proposed location.










:haha: Just kidding. It is slated to break ground in March.

[Kropotkin]

Does anyone have an update on Spring? I rode by the site a couple of days ago and the current buildings are still intact and still seem to be full of their occupants.

Last I heard suggested was a February groundbreaking... that seems unlikely now.

[GoldenBoot]

Does anyone have an update on Spring? I rode by the site a couple of days ago and the current buildings are still intact and still seem to be full of their occupants.

Last I heard suggested was a February groundbreaking... that seems unlikely now.


Groundbreaking = March 2007