Austin | 6G | 874 Feet | 65 Floors | Complete

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Apologies since this has probably been asked before, but what's the story with that house or building in the NE corner of the lot?

It’s historic. I don’t know why specifically, but it’s def immovable.

If you go back and look at some of the renderings you’ll see they’ve built completely around it. It looks honestly a little ridiculous, IMO.

[StoOgE]

Hopefully that house becomes a super awesome restaurant or similar.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Apologies since this has probably been asked before, but what's the story with that house or building in the NE corner of the lot?

1858 JAMES T. BROWN HOUSE. An extension of the Bremond block. 2nd oldest home. Built 21 years after Austin (1839) is founded and 13 years after Texas gains statehood ( 1845) There are only 12ish buildings older in Austin. This area was on Nat historical register long before thought of a high rise in this area were considered. This was more typical of first low profile homes built. Think French Legation (1841)
I love that this tower has to make space for the history of the City it is profiting from. ! It will be a very interesting urban frame! it will also provide some relief
and grace for the larger historical homes that Looked south from the Bremond
block area.
I suggest you walk the area now and see the significance of the location of
the Bremond block now and how it views the south before the tower
comes out of the ground. Walk down from the old library to the north and you will get a good glimpse into the past with the future as a backdrop.
It is/was my favorite view into downtown.
I love the visual tension that happens when old and new collide.

[g-man435]

The depth of the hole is insane:

https://i.ibb.co/BnfRwTb/046667-A7-A...8-CA1-F0-C.jpg

[Armybrat]

Originally Posted by We vs us

It’s historic. I don’t know why specifically, but it’s def immovable.

If you go back and look at some of the renderings you’ll see they’ve built completely around it. It looks honestly a little ridiculous, IMO.

I read somewhere that Governor Sam Houston used to attend dinner parties there.

[Armybrat]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

1858 JAMES T. BROWN HOUSE. An extension of the Bremond block. 2nd oldest home. Built 21 years after Austin (1839) is founded and 13 years after Texas gains statehood ( 1845) There are only 12ish buildings older in Austin. This area was on Nat historical register long before thought of a high rise in this area were considered. This was more typical of first low profile homes built. Think French Legation (1841)
I love that this tower has to make space for the history of the City it is profiting from. ! It will be a very interesting urban frame! it will also provide some relief
and grace for the larger historical homes that Looked south from the Bremond
block area.
I suggest you walk the area now and see the significance of the location of
the Bremond block now and how it views the south before the tower
comes out of the ground. Walk down from the old library to the north and you will get a good glimpse into the past with the future as a backdrop.
It is/was my favorite view into downtown.
I love the visual tension that happens when old and new collide.

Ever since 6x was proposed, I have wondered what the original residents of the Bremond Block (particularly John Bremond) would think if they could walk out their front doors and behold the 850’ edifice across the street.

[Echostatic]

Originally Posted by AusTex

Are they now digging in Blackland Clay or some type of Tar Sands? Does anyone know what the black earth is?

Pretty sure it's just rock, a few other recent projects have had a similar look when underground parking was being dug out.

[H2O]

Originally Posted by g-man435

The depth of the hole is insane:

https://i.ibb.co/BnfRwTb/046667-A7-A...8-CA1-F0-C.jpg

You should have seen Block 185 before they started filling it up with garage.

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm still most impressed with the underground Capitol extension they built in 1991/93. It's 4 levels down and 65 feet deep. I credit that project with being one of the ones that got me interested in the subject. Seeing the tower cranes over the huge construction site and the giant bulldozers they had in an even bigger hole was pretty awesome when I was a kid.

[The ATX]

The FAA permit for the 925' tower crane #2 had been hung up in the approval process for months. But it was finally approved today.

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...0642180&row=76

[DavidVistaChino]

Originally Posted by The ATX

The FAA permit for the 925' tower crane #2 had been hung up in the approval process for months. But it was finally approved today.

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...0642180&row=76

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Ever since 6x was proposed, I have wondered what the original residents of the Bremond Block (particularly John Bremond) would think if they could walk out their front doors and behold the 850’ edifice across the street.

I think they might be horrified, especially since what they'd see looking straight ahead is the backside of a massive parking podium that blocks their light and their view.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by austlar1

I think they might be horrified, especially since what they'd see looking straight ahead is the backside of a massive parking podium that blocks their light and their view.

I bet some of them would be calling the developer to solicit an offer from them. Not everyone wants to preserve.....some people want that CASH.....man!

I know I would. Sure they are cool houses....er offices (I closed on my current house at one in '17-too cool), but if you could sell it at 10-20X.....some people would knock it down themselves. Who knows...just thinking out loud.

But that makes me think of another thing. I've run into a few properties over the years that were moved from other parts of Austin, one from Waco, no less. Why doesn't the HLC just say..."yeah, you have to preserve that house...but you don't have to keep it in that specific spot, if you don't want to" People have done this on their own for decades.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by urbancore

Why doesn't the HLC just say..."yeah, you have to preserve that house...but you don't have to keep it in that specific spot, if you don't want to" People have done this on their own for decades.

They have approved of moves in the past. The original Lustre Pearl for example. It wasn't torn down, it was moved to the east side.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by austlar1

I think they might be horrified, especially since what they'd see looking straight ahead is the backside of a massive parking podium that blocks their light and their view.

Those Live Oaks are gonna have to adjust to the decrease in light especially during the winter months.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by urbancore

I bet some of them would be calling the developer to solicit an offer from them. Not everyone wants to preserve.....some people want that CASH.....man!

I know I would. Sure they are cool houses....er offices (I closed on my current house at one in '17-too cool), but if you could sell it at 10-20X.....some people would knock it down themselves. Who knows...just thinking out loud.

But that makes me think of another thing. I've run into a few properties over the years that were moved from other parts of Austin, one from Waco, no less. Why doesn't the HLC just say..."yeah, you have to preserve that house...but you don't have to keep it in that specific spot, if you don't want to" People have done this on their own for decades.

What a concept! Let's just move three giant historic homes (er, offices) from the most scenic block in the entire city of Austin and move them someplace less desirable so that owners can cash in, and we can throw up a few more ugly towers on that same pricey real estate.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by austlar1

What a concept! Let's just move three giant historic homes (er, offices) from the most scenic block in the entire city of Austin and move them someplace less desirable so that owners can cash in, and we can throw up a few more ugly towers on that same pricey real estate.

At the end of the day, I’m a property rights proponent. It’s not my business. I don’t begrudge someone for cashing in their asset.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by austlar1

What a concept! Let's just move three giant historic homes (er, offices) from the most scenic block in the entire city of Austin and move them someplace less desirable so that owners can cash in, and we can throw up a few more ugly towers on that same pricey real estate.

[AusTex]

Better leave them to see the hind end of the exposed parking podium of this tower. Lets not try to be sensitive to the existing historical block. Just go cheap on the city,... the investors will love the short term gain.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by AusTex

the investors will love the short term gain.

and what about the owner's "long gain"? Do they not deserve to get what their property is worth on the open market after possibly decades of ownership?


Old houses are not "historic" because they are old. There is another side to the "historic" argument. I argue that the final decision should lean towards the land owner, with limited exception.