Austin | South Austin Projects - Page 11

The ATX · #**201** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 12:56 AM**

There used to be a St. Elmo motel on the site of the new motel. Here's a 2009 Streetview when only the sign remained.

The ATX · #**202** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 1:13 AM**

The St. Elmo project has been years in the making and appears that it may be years from finishing. I just noticed that the plans shown on this site map have changed. There is new construction at the site of the hotel and music venue on the map and the Streeview pic I posted, but it's for St. Elmo's Public Lofts (condos).

http://groundfloordev.com/mixed-use/st-elmo/

The ATX · #**203** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 1:41 AM**

I am momentarily amused with the old St. Elmo-tel. Here it is in the 1940s when it was new and located on the outskirts of Austin. It was apparently "Austin's finest motel." It was also "fireproof" and had both "hot and cold water."

https://www.austinpostcard.com/view....d=24011&back=Y

Here it is in 2006 when when it was demolished.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/H...id=l16OD5HsxGI

We vs us · #**204** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 2:55 AM**

That’s some quality neon. I wonder if that’s not mothballed in a warehouse somewhere waiting for the new St Elmo hotel to launch.

How old is HBO? Obv old enough to be part of the main neon sign.

The ATX · #**205** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

That’s some quality neon. I wonder if that’s not mothballed in a warehouse somewhere waiting for the new St Elmo hotel to launch.

How old is HBO? Obv old enough to be part of the main neon sign.

It appears the original sign is being incorporated into the courtyard of the condos based on this rendering.

http://publiclofts.com/loft-availability/

...and HBO was founded in 1972.

austlar1 · #**206** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 5:21 AM**

If only that St. Elmo sign could talk! I am told that all sorts of disreputable things took place at this motel over the past few decades. It was definitely a no tell motel, a place where a person could go into a nod that might last a week or forever. Progress is at hand. Just ask those hip young things gathered around the new outdoor fireplace, not a junkie or crackhead to be found among them. I wonder if the grounds are haunted.

KevinFromTexas · #**207** Posted **Feb 12, 2018, 6:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

If only that St. Elmo sign could talk! I am told that all sorts of disreputable things took place at this motel over the past few decades. It was definitely a no tell motel, a place where a person could go into a nod that might last a week or forever. Progress is at hand. Just ask those hip young things gathered around the new outdoor fireplace, not a junkie or crackhead to be found among them. I wonder if the grounds are haunted.

That area is still a hotbed for shopping cart pushers. I see them walking down St. Elmo with their can collections headed for the recycling yard down the street. And yes, someone on a bicycle was killed near there. There's a ghost bike at the corner of St. Elmo and Congress.

The market is interesting to me. I'm eager/curious to check it out. That place is 5 minutes from me.

I wish they had kept more of the sign. I was always amused by the "color tv" part of it. Ooh la la.

KevinFromTexas · #**208** Posted **Apr 13, 2018, 6:49 PM**

https://www.statesman.com/business/a...JV8f1EA4R8dAO/

Quote:

Anticipated St. Elmo project reveals initial slate of tenants

Gary Dinges American-Statesman Staff
12:58 p.m Friday, April 13, 2018

It doesn’t look like much right now, but by this time next year a long-empty South Austin warehouse will be transformed into a bustling marketplace populated with more than 20 local merchants

Armybrat · #**209** Posted **Apr 13, 2018, 10:03 PM**

Some of my St. Edward's University (and High School) classmates patronized a number of hookers who worked out of that joint in the early to mid-1960s.

Or so I was told.

The ATX · #**210** Posted **Apr 14, 2018, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Some of my St. Edward's University (and High School) classmates patronized a number of hookers who worked out of that joint in the early to mid-1960s.

Or so I was told.

Wow. That place was sleazy for at least 40 years. Maybe I should change my avatar.

JoninATX · #**211** Posted **Apr 17, 2018, 4:39 AM**

Plans move ahead for mixed-use project at Garza Ranch site

Quote:

By Shonda Novak
April 16 2018

A development firm says it is moving ahead with plans for a mixed-use development on a 34-acre tract of raw land in Southwest Austin that for years stirred battles over what could be built there.

Brandywine Realty Trust said Monday that it has signed on development partners for the project on the Garza Ranch site, which is at MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) and Ben Garza Lane.

SHI International, Trammell Crow Residential and Pathfinder Development will bring high-end office, residential and hotel uses to the project, Brandywine said. The development will consist of two office buildings totaling 400,000 square feet; 370 apartments; a 140-room boutique Aloft hotel; and a 2-acre park called Garza Commons, Brandywine said.

Brandywine did not say when it plans to break ground on the project or its various components. The company, a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Radnor, Penn., did not provide a figure on the overall cost of the proposed project.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mys...KjADO/amp.html

The ATX · #**212** Posted **Apr 24, 2018, 4:12 AM**

I noticed that the State House apartment building on South Congress is about half demolished.

KevinFromTexas · #**213** Posted **Apr 24, 2018, 9:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

I noticed that the State House apartment building on South Congress is about half demolished.

Yeah, I saw that. I also was surprised to see the Cityview Apartment building being torn into. I knew that was slated to be replaced, but it was still a shock since I had just been there a month ago to take some "goodbye photos".

urbancore · #**214** Posted **Apr 24, 2018, 2:26 PM**

I noticed the vacancies at the corner of South Congress and Oltorf the new building that H-E-B purchased. Does anyone have an update of what’s going on there?

Sigaven · #**215** Posted **Apr 24, 2018, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

I noticed the vacancies at the corner of South Congress and Oltorf the new building that H-E-B purchased. Does anyone have an update of what’s going on there?

Didn't they purchase that shopping center and they're going to build their new grocery store there? (to replace the old one)

urbancore · #**216** Posted **Apr 24, 2018, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaven

Didn't they purchase that shopping center and they're going to build their new grocery store there? (to replace the old one)

that was the rumor, I also heard they like to purchase neighboring strips to keep other grocers out, and as such they are a pretty big landlord in Texas.

That strip begs for a VMU, I don't care if they relo to that spot, I just hope it abuts Congress and Oltorf, and has a residential component to it. Not sure if HEB would care to do that, I would guess they would just do what they always do.....1 story huge store with adjoining commercial lease space with an enormous parking lot in front. That should be forbidden by our zoning, it would be such a waste.

That entire intersection is everything that is wrong our town in terms of zoning, developing the old way. Imagine if all 4 corners had buildings to the street with residences and shopping. WOW....a fella can dream.

masonh2479 · #**217** Posted **Apr 25, 2018, 12:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

I noticed that the State House apartment building on South Congress is about half demolished.

I saw an article about this too, I don't know if you have seen this and this is old news but I figured I should post it.
https://www.statesman.com/business/m...1uZPbZ6Fp9XfJ/

gabetx · #**218** Posted **Apr 25, 2018, 1:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonh2479

I saw an article about this too, I don't know if you have seen this and this is old news but I figured I should post it.
https://www.statesman.com/business/m...1uZPbZ6Fp9XfJ/

Sounds like SoCo is starting to slowly urbanize.

chinchaaa · #**219** Posted **Apr 25, 2018, 4:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

I noticed the vacancies at the corner of South Congress and Oltorf the new building that H-E-B purchased. Does anyone have an update of what’s going on there?

I talked to the people at the CVS there before it closed. He said HEB bought the land and is kicking everyone out by April. He said they're planning to build a Super HEB on that land.

wwmiv · #**220** Posted **Apr 25, 2018, 5:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

I talked to the people at the CVS there before it closed. He said HEB bought the land and is kicking everyone out by April. He said they're planning to build a Super HEB on that land.

There's an HEB in San Antonio that is urban style, with parking underneath (mostly hidden from the main street view) and the store above on a second floor just south of downtown. It is a rather large store, too. That may be the model they are following at this location.