Austin Eyesores

[We vs us]

Aw yeah, Hilton Garden Inn. That thing is the worst.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I like the Palm School Building. I think what makes it an eyesore, along with other buildings in its situation, is that we've undervalued them. They look lost and forgotten, and with no logical use in sight, because we've chosen to make it that way, we've sort of come to think of them as useless.

I'd put forward that we've chosen to make it that way for a reason; i.e. we don't really like it that much.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I agree with everything you just said. Every point. Let's not forget the SRV video featuring the newly constructed Towers of Town Lake.
There were other misques along I35 that are embarrassing to this day because of their visibility to thousands of people passing through on the interstate....Hilton Garden Inn and that incredibly horrific apartment or condo building directly south of it. Who designed that piece of shit?! Those two will stand out for all the wrong reasons forever with little chance of being covered up by something nicer. On my old 'What If' thread, I photoshopped how they could be upgraded somewhat similar to the Dobie Center upgrade.

Clifford Antone owned a condo at Towers of Town Lake, and he was very instrumental in SRV's career, so it's probably no accident the building was in the video.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by Syndic

I'd put forward that we've chosen to make it that way for a reason; i.e. we don't really like it that much.

IMO the tough thing with Palm is that it’s historically significant but not architecturally significant. It’s really not very pretty, even though it’s important for the community. It makes the argument to save it thornier… especially if it’s going to somehow end up as the centerpiece of the Palm Park redo.

[H2O]

I can't believe nobody has nominated this yet. What, are y'all mailing it in or something? https://goo.gl/maps/ECFBCxwzmjSjf1dH6

[ATxponent]

[chundercracker]

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by chundercracker

Third and Shoal? Yes, very ugly

[the Genral]

Haha, despite the intent of the substation being the eyesore, I was also noticing 3rd and Shoal as being the culprit. Points for the ugly fence around the substation and the giant turd sculpture.

[Syndic]

I still have an irrational hope that that Austin Energy substation will develop into a plaza where the city can come together and hold events, etc. Not a building, but a goddamn plaza like you see in other parts of the world. Maybe with a statue or fountain or obelisk or something.



I'd settle for a world-class museum of course.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by Syndic

I still have an irrational hope that that Austin Energy substation will develop into a plaza where the city can come together and hold events, etc. Not a building, but a goddamn plaza like you see in other parts of the world. Maybe with a statue or fountain or obelisk or something.

Agreed! The mesh screen garages surrounding the plaza can be covered in big TV screens ala times square or something. It could be a really cool space.

[urbancore]

Goodall Wooten

http://www.goodallwooten.com/

I’m always reminded of the Munich Olympic Massacre.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh...21-p52jei.html

[dilliam]

Originally Posted by urbancore

Goodall Wooten

http://www.goodallwooten.com/

I’m always reminded of the Munich Olympic Massacre.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh...21-p52jei.html

You're so right

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Austinshrink

Exhibit A- Holiday Inn Lady Bird Lake

Such a prominent location and such a dilapidated, outdated mess. Can holiday inn be compelled to remodel or sell?

Round Holiday Inns were a thing in the 1980s. Several were built around the country (LA at Sunset and San Diego Freeway, Long Beach near airport, New Orleans near the Causeway, Raleigh, NC, and probably elsewhere), and most are still functioning hotels. My point is that there is some slight architectural significance to our ugly little round Holiday Inn, and I am happy enough to see it still survives.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by urbancore

Goodall Wooten

http://www.goodallwooten.com/

I’m always reminded of the Munich Olympic Massacre.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh...21-p52jei.html

My god that website is almost as old as the building itself

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by austlar1

Round Holiday Inns were a thing in the 1980s. Several were built around the country (LA at Sunset and San Diego Freeway, Long Beach near airport, New Orleans near the Causeway, Raleigh, NC, and probably elsewhere), and most are still functioning hotels. My point is that there is some slight architectural significance to our ugly little round Holiday Inn, and I am happy enough to see it still survives.

https://www.roadarch.com/modarch/chain4.html

Scroll down about 2/3 of the page for a listing of all the "corncob" hotels from the 1970s. Austin's is on there.

The one in Cincinnati (Covington, KY) has been refreshed as a Raddisson hotel and still has it's original revolving restaurant up top operating.
I doubt Austin's is tall enough for something like that, but would be a cool kitschy throwback if/when they ever renovate the place.

[Global]

Originally Posted by H2O

I can't believe nobody has nominated this yet. What, are y'all mailing it in or something? https://goo.gl/maps/ECFBCxwzmjSjf1dH6

Do we know why it's taking so long to build something on this block?

[Syndic]

[OfficialPBreton]

Originally Posted by urbancore

Goodall Wooten

http://www.goodallwooten.com/

Agreed. Have to walk past it every day. Pretty sure they ended contracts in 2018 (they were very affordable, though), and so far there's only the Wooten Barbershop that runs out of it. I'm wondering as to why. Probably had a long lease period to fulfill?

Either way, I kinda wish we had more of that form of development along Guad. Mixed-use midrises that serve students, and have good street interaction. Especially considering that student housing may subsidize some of the rent prices for the businesses that would inhabit street level, I think that that would help keep businesses from being displaced by rising rents.

[DougRockstead]

I believe that is a recognized landmark so it is here to stay.

Originally Posted by Syndic

I'd also like to nominate the Palm School. Just not impressive or interesting at all. It needs to go.