AUSTIN | Aloft Austin & Element Hotel Downtown | 328 FEET | 31 FLOORS | Complete - Page 8

KevinFromTexas · #**141** Posted **Jun 4, 2014, 12:02 AM**

Thanks for posting that, Mike. It shows it having 34 hotel floors plus one more mechanical floor above those.

MichaelB · #**142** Posted **Jun 7, 2014, 8:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

gosh, I wanna see this break grounddddd

agreed. They've really done their homework. Nice design. Blended brands can be a great way to get a lesser brand into a downtown market and not have an under-invested building . ( i.e., Hampton Inn and Hyatt place on San Jacinto)

Jdawgboy · #**143** Posted **Jun 7, 2014, 9:11 PM**

Much better! It's a big improvement with the south facing wall. It gets my stamp of approval.

ahealy · #**144** Posted **Jun 25, 2014, 6:09 AM**

any news? thoughts?

Jdawgboy · #**145** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 12:14 AM**

First thought is how utterly dull it has been. Nothing is happening as far as new projects getting going. We had so much excitement at the beginning of the month an other than the groundbreaking for that hotel on Red River, there really hasn't been anything else.

The ATX · #**146** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 12:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

First thought is how utterly dull it has been. Nothing is happening as far as new projects getting going. We had so much excitement at the beginning of the month an other than the groundbreaking for that hotel on Red River, there really hasn't been anything else.

I agree. No big projects have broken ground since Green Tower #1 in February.

ahealy · #**147** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 12:51 AM**

I agree with someone else who said 99 trinity should be next. I am really pulling for aloft. So rather see this than wonky fairmont.

The ATX · #**148** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 1:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

I agree with someone else who said 99 trinity should be next. I am really pulling for aloft. So rather see this than wonky fairmont.

That was me (and maybe someone else) who said 99 Trinity would be next. That's the one big project that seems to be progressing. The Waller project is also looking good with McCourt Global on board as financial partner and the eminent closing of the Chain saw/drive whatever place. (Sorry, I was too lazy to look up the actual name.)

ahealy · #**149** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 1:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

That was me (and maybe someone else) who said 99 Trinity would be next. That's the one big project that seems to be progressing. The Waller project is also looking good with McCourt Global on board as financial partner and the eminent closing of the Chain saw/drive whatever place. (Sorry, I was too lazy to look up the actual name.)

CHAIN DRIVE!

It is a legend and the original rainey st bar.

I'm not all broken up about it. They have another spot from what I heard. It will be interesting to see what happens with the giant trees on the property? Both patios have beautiful oaks all around.

LoneStarMike · #**150** Posted **Jun 26, 2014, 3:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

any news?

From a meeting of the Design Commission held on June 23, 2014.

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=211995

(see pages 4 and 5)

Quote:

Discussion and possible action on the 7th & Congress Hotel design development submittal located at 619 & 621 Congress Ave. seeking support for the project and review for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin in accordance with the Gatekeeper requirements of the Downtown Density Bonus Ordinance. (Richard Suttle Jr., Armburst & Brown, PLLC.)

Mr. Richard Suttle and Mr. Michael Stromer gave a presentation on the project focusing on ground floor and interface with street. A detailed presentation on the design was given.

• Mr. Jeff Howard spoke in opposition to the project–submitted a list of issues to the commission.
• Ms. Anne Wheat spoke in opposition to the project.
• Ms. Jill Rowe spoke in opposition to the project.
• Mr. Karim Badr spoke in opposition to the project.

Commissioner Whatley presented recommendations from the Planning and Urban Design Working group.

The motion to find the project in substantial compliance with Urban Design Guidelines and accept work group letter of recommendation made by J. Shieh; Second by J. Cotera was approved on a vote of [6
-0]. [J. Wiginton not present]

The second motion to direct applicant to minimize impact on adjacent property all owners; Work with adjacent stakeholder to reach an equitable arrangement to maintain urban and economic viability; Address vertical party wall concerns made by D. Almy; Second by B. Whatley was approved on a vote of [5-0]. [J. Wiginton not present] [J. Cotera off Dias]

ahealy · #**151** Posted **Jul 15, 2014, 3:59 PM**

Apparently they're moving forward with zoning. Anyone else else heard about this?

Could Aloft be the fall-tall groundbreaker?!?

SkyPie · #**152** Posted **Jul 15, 2014, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

Apparently they're moving forward with zoning. Anyone else else heard about this?

Could Aloft be the fall-tall groundbreaker?!?

Could be. White Lodging has a good history of following through and building what they announce. It seemed like the Westin was under construction almost immediately after it was announced.

lzppjb · #**153** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 2:19 AM**

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/261...with-new-hotel

The ATX · #**154** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 2:41 AM**

I thought the Aloft was a done deal, but the city council still needs to approve it. And that would be why the Chronicle this week (before MyFox 7) brought attention to the concerns of their neighbors.

LoneStarMike · #**155** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 3:01 AM**

^^^ Yeah, I just read that article yesterday.

Another Hotel Checks In on Congress Avenue
The Hideout has seen the future and it's a 32-story hotel
By Amy Smith
Fri., Aug. 1, 2014

KevinFromTexas · #**156** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 3:56 AM**

I would think those nimbys would be thrilled to have such a neighbor. Many more opportunities for penny ($1.00) postcard sales.

The only thing I can half agree with is the lack of any parking. That's pretty ballsy for any project. Still, being that it's a rather upscale hotel it's not entirely necessary for the guests to have a car. By the way, where do the hotel guests who stay at the Stephen F. Austin and Driskill hotels park?

Austinite101 · #**157** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 3:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzppjb

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/261...with-new-hotel

Hey, they used my Google Earth mock ups of Austin's future skyline!

Chiveman · #**158** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 4:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinite101

Hey, they used my Google Earth mock ups of Austin's future skyline!

Oh hey, those were awesome renderings!! Have you updated them recently?

Austinite101 · #**159** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 5:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiveman

Oh hey, those were awesome renderings!! Have you updated them recently?

Thanks! But unfortunately I haven't and those renderings are about 2 years old now. I need to sit down and update everything since there have been so many more developments/buildings start and finish construction.

verybadgnome · #**160** Posted **Aug 2, 2014, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I would think those nimbys would be thrilled to have such a neighbor. Many more opportunities for penny ($1.00) postcard sales.

The only thing I can half agree with is the lack of any parking. That's pretty ballsy for any project. Still, being that it's a rather upscale hotel it's not entirely necessary for the guests to have a car. By the way, where do the hotel guests who stay at the Stephen F. Austin and Driskill hotels park?

Good question. Maybe unaffiliated private sector lots fill in that need.

I rarely rent cars on my trips. All my recent trips to Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego were without a vehicle and I did fine. Austin doesn't have as good a transit system as most of those, but it does have car2go and b-cycle.