AUSTIN | 5th + Colorado | 242 FEET | 18 FLOORS | Complete - Page 8

the Genral · #**141** Posted **Aug 27, 2015, 7:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Matt

That's *it*?

9 levels parking...9 levels office space. Man I hate this ratio. At least the exterior will disguise the parking levels, I hope...

The ATX · #**142** Posted **Aug 28, 2015, 4:30 AM**

This "tower" should have been built at the Domain or possible in Round Rock as a starter "skyscraper".

AustinGoesVertical · #**143** Posted **Aug 28, 2015, 5:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

This "tower" should have been built at the Domain or possible in Round Rock as a starter "skyscraper".

Yeah, I don't really get the purpose. 9 floors of office space... With that much parking. They should have made this one 25 floors minimum. Based on Google Tower and the Austin Music Hall site, the demand was obviously there. I just want an office building that's not a 400 ft cube. I don't care if it's shorter, I just want a point tower design to add some diversity.

Mopacs · #**144** Posted **Aug 31, 2015, 12:17 AM**

A few shots from yesterday, 8/29.

Mopacs · #**145** Posted **Sep 14, 2015, 10:40 PM**

Shots from last weekend, 9/6

Mopacs · #**146** Posted **Sep 14, 2015, 10:44 PM**

This weekend (9/12)

SkyPie · #**147** Posted **Sep 15, 2015, 12:15 AM**

Great photos!

KevinFromTexas · #**148** Posted **Sep 15, 2015, 5:28 AM**

So it looks like they're about half finished with the last floor, then the mechanical penthouse.

priller · #**149** Posted **Oct 4, 2015, 3:16 AM**

From today:

Syndic · #**150** Posted **Oct 4, 2015, 12:45 PM**

Looks like we're going to get another big ugly blank wall.

Syndic · #**151** Posted **Oct 4, 2015, 2:28 PM**

Here's my view of the construction from my desk in my new office on the 17th floor of the One American Center

The ATX · #**152** Posted **Oct 4, 2015, 2:49 PM**

At least your view of the W won't be blocked by this project.

pscajunguy · #**153** Posted **Oct 4, 2015, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

Looks like we're going to get another big ugly blank wall.

Well, without that ugly blank wall, it would be just the epitome of 100% generic. Now it is 100% generic spashed with ugly flourishes. They must be catering to boring, indescript tenants who desire to do nothing but blend into the wallwork.

_Matt · #**154** Posted **Oct 6, 2015, 2:25 PM**

Not every building can be signature. Not all tenants can pay top dollar. This type of infill goes a long way in making CBD more active and livable which will eventually roll into a large signature tower someday on the Post Office block.

futures · #**155** Posted **Oct 6, 2015, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pscajunguy

Well, without that ugly blank wall, it would be just the epitome of 100% generic. Now it is 100% generic spashed with ugly flourishes. They must be catering to boring, indescript tenants who desire to do nothing but blend into the wallwork.

Blank walls are just an opportunity to get creative. Would love to see a larger mural like the ones below on a building like this.

http://i.imgur.com/0JMAdHM.jpg
http://imgick.nola.com/home/nola-med...fa1080daa2.jpg

drummer · #**156** Posted **Oct 6, 2015, 11:09 PM**

^^ Yeah, I'd love to see more massive murals in Austin. We have some truly great small ones, but nothing on that scale that I can think of. Same can happen on the big cooling tank connected to the medical school.

NYC2ATX · #**157** Posted **Oct 7, 2015, 6:00 PM**

I definitely take some issue with the supremely underwhelming height here, but the blank walls are unfortunately a zoning anomaly. As long as there remains the possibility of building on the remaining neighboring lots, if they build to the lot line, it has to be blank. No developer wants to deal with windows they just put in being literally bricked over should another building rise next door. The same issue existed with the Westin, as it does with numerous buildings in New York that I've seen as well.

The Austin city planning department could (if they don't already have such an protocol) potentially provide the option of letting a developer sidestep that if there was a guarantee that the neighboring buildings would stay as they are. However, the only way to really do that is if those other buildings are zoned for no more height or density, or are historic structures or within a CVC, etc. Perhaps it's something they should look into examining...until then *best Oprah voice* YOU GET A MURAL, YOU GET A MURAL, EVERYONE GETS A MURAL!!!

AustinGoesVertical · #**158** Posted **Oct 14, 2015, 7:55 PM**

So I'm kind of confused about this one. It certainly appears that the 9 levels of parking are being covered by windows, which disguises it, but it seems somewhat unconventional to me. I mean that's strange to park your car on a level that is basically an indoor office floor just without the finishes. Will look pretty interesting from inside I guess, driving your car right up to floor-to-ceiling windows.

Other buildings leave space for air on their parking podiums, and use a unique facade (plated metal on the Bowie, Seven, glass partitions at the Monarch. I can't think of any other building in Austin that is like this. 3rd and Colorado, IBC Bank do a better job of disgusting parking but they still have vented walls and screens, not just all glass...

My other question is in regards to the blank wall. Why wasn't it possible to put windows here as well?

KevinFromTexas · #**159** Posted **Oct 14, 2015, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

So I'm kind of confused about this one. It certainly appears that the 9 levels of parking are being covered by windows, which disguises it, but it seems somewhat unconventional to me. I mean that's strange to park your car on a level that is basically an indoor office floor just without the finishes. Will look pretty interesting from inside I guess, driving your car right up to floor-to-ceiling windows.

Other buildings leave space for air on their parking podiums, and use a unique facade (plated metal on the Bowie, Seven, glass partitions at the Monarch. I can't think of any other building in Austin that is like this. 3rd and Colorado, IBC Bank do a better job of disgusting parking but they still have vented walls and screens, not just all glass...

My other question is in regards to the blank wall. Why wasn't it possible to put windows here as well?

The parking levels will of course have forced ventilation. This building won't be completely unique in that regard. The Colorado Tower has a glass facade over the parking levels, and so does the Bank of America Center. And there are others. The Frost Bank Tower's podium on the east side is parking, and it's enclosed. There's also the Co-Op Garage in West Campus that is a completely enclosed (concrete with glass windows). It also uses forced air ventilation.

My guess is the blank wall side is where the stair/elevator wells are and the ventilation system is.

corvairkeith · #**160** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 1:54 AM**

10/18