AUSTIN | Fairmont Hotel | 595 FEET SPIRE/456 FT ROOF | 37 FLRS | Complete - Page 15

KevinFromTexas · #**281** Posted **Aug 7, 2013, 2:26 AM**

The city's FTP site has a new file posted for the street utilities.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...it%20Plans.pdf

KevinFromTexas · #**282** Posted **Aug 23, 2013, 3:27 AM**

Another file has been uploaded. It has to do with the grade elevation.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...in%20Hotel.pdf

The ATX · #**283** Posted **Aug 23, 2013, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Another file has been uploaded. It has to do with the grade elevation.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...in%20Hotel.pdf

The permits are for shoring the walls for the big dig part of the project. This certainly looks to be on track for the November start date.

The ATX · #**284** Posted **Oct 1, 2013, 9:40 PM**

Six more permit requests showed up online this week for trenching/shoring and utility relocation.

GoldenBoot · #**285** Posted **Oct 7, 2013, 10:00 PM**

Kevin,

Who was your source on the height of this tower? I don't know why...but, I still think this thing may top-out at over 700'. Maybe that is wishful thinking. With the ego of the Manchester's...I would think nothing more than for them to build the tallest building in Austin - outright.

Come on Baby Doug...push through the 700' level (having said that, think about the 751' level...then Austin would have a tower taller than SA & Mobile, AL)!

The ATX · #**286** Posted **Oct 7, 2013, 10:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Kevin,

Who was your source on the height of this tower? I don't know why...but, I still think this thing may top-out at over 700'. Maybe that is wishful thinking. With the ego of the Manchester's...I would think nothing more than for them to build the tallest building in Austin - outright.

Come on Baby Doug...push through the 700' level (having said that, think about the 751' level...then Austin would have a tower taller than SA & Mobile, AL)!

The source was the site plan.

KevinFromTexas · #**287** Posted **Oct 8, 2013, 1:07 AM**

Yep, the height came from the building elevations. Also the person with Gensler who I had originally gotten the 700 foot height from, they haven't responded to my emails since the site plan came out with the different height.

And Austin already has a taller building than San Antonio. Towers aren't usually thought of as being buildings. Also the Tower of the Americas is only 622 feet to the roof. The 750 foot height is to the antenna, and actually I've seen a height of 728 feet listed for it on the FCC's antenna registration website. And also, antennas are not a permanent fixture of any structure. San Antonio should know that well since even the Tower Life Building had its antenna removed and the flagpole replaced.

Even so, I believe their tallest building is only 466 feet, which means that Austin has not only 1 building taller than their's, but 4. And two more than Fort Worth.

GoldenBoot · #**288** Posted **Oct 8, 2013, 3:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

...And also, antennas are not a permanent fixture of any structure.

Kevin, what I meant was that if the Fairmont were at least 751' tall, there would be absolutely no argument as to it being taller or not.

Also, most "antennas" could be removed should one wish. However, most are now apart of the architectural design of a structure. Whether or not they operate as a communications transponder, it really doesn't matter. Most are now apart of the overall architecture of a building. Plus, they can be revenue generating sources of a building's owner by leasing out its use as a transponder.

The Tower of Life Building's TV "antenna" was removed in 2010, as it was obsolete and too costly to upgrade. Furthermore, the "antenna" was an afterthought (not apart of the original architectural design). The building opened in 1928/29 without an "antenna."

KevinFromTexas · #**289** Posted **Oct 11, 2013, 8:32 PM**

Gables tower, Fairmont Hotel inch along city’s permit process

The ATX · #**290** Posted **Oct 25, 2013, 1:54 AM**

Tower crane permit applied for on 10/21! This is moving along.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11036059

wwmiv · #**291** Posted **Oct 25, 2013, 2:03 AM**

Awesome. I fully expect this project to happen.

jngreenlee · #**292** Posted **Oct 25, 2013, 1:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Tower crane permit applied for on 10/21! This is moving along.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11036059

Number of Days Requested = 9900

Why? Or, why not 9999?

The ATX · #**293** Posted **Oct 25, 2013, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

Number of Days Requested = 9900

Why? Or, why not 9999?

...and the end date is specifically Nov. 27, 2040.

Permit requests have some odd date ranges.

jngreenlee · #**294** Posted **Nov 12, 2013, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

The Tower of Life Building's TV "antenna" was removed in 2010, as it was obsolete and too costly to upgrade. Furthermore, the "antenna" was an afterthought (not apart of the original architectural design). The building opened in 1928/29 without an "antenna."

I think this recent ruling is in your favor:
http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/gener...uilding/nbp7g/

"Under [The Height Committee of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat]'s current criteria, spires that are an integral part of a building's aesthetic design count. Broadcast antennas that can be added and removed do not."

Austin1971 · #**295** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 4:44 PM**

Any news on if this will break ground next month? We should know something by now right?

The ATX · #**296** Posted **Jan 2, 2014, 5:52 PM**

It's January, so that means we're on Fairmont watch. The site is still being used for parking today.

Spaceman · #**297** Posted **Jan 2, 2014, 7:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

It's January, so that means we're on Fairmont watch. The site is still being used for parking today.

I catch hell for my pessimistic outlook but I have always been very skeptical about this project..

lzppjb · #**298** Posted **Jan 2, 2014, 7:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman

I catch hell for my pessimistic outlook but I have always been very skeptical about this project..

Yes, we already know that.

JoninATX · #**299** Posted **Jan 2, 2014, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

It's January, so that means we're on Fairmont watch. The site is still being used for parking today.

I'm keeping my eye on it with my trusty Skyhouse cam.

The ATX · #**300** Posted **Jan 2, 2014, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

I'm keeping my eye on it with my trusty Skyhouse cam.

I drive by the site on work days, and the parking lot is usually pretty full first thing in the morning. On the one day that it's empty I think we'll know that site prep is eminent.