AUSTIN Update Thread - Page 298

Myomi · #**5941** Posted: **Sep 9, 2009, 7:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvddvd

Back in March you guys/gals gave me serious grief for posting that it looked as if The Shore probably, in reality, had 80+ unsold units ....

From today's statesman -
http://www.statesman.com/business/co...905condos.html

Later,
DVD

The other thing about your post is that, just like developers, you take one stat out of context to prove your point. Yes there were 80 condos left (which now are down to about 20). But, which units were those? When I looked, they were all the less then premium units in that building. Small units with no downtown or lake view (but a nice view of I-35). What that stats tell me is there is something wrong with the product, not with an entire market. Yes, the developers are spinning their numbers. But, the developer had no problem selling the units with the premium views. And they were also trying to sell these non premium units at the same price as the premium once. Now the market has forced them to adjust that price. I still think that the overall health of the market is pretty strong (meaning they aren't overbuilt), especially at this price range.

AustinGuy · #**5942** Posted: **Sep 9, 2009, 9:44 PM**

New Starwood concept hotel coming at 5th & Colorado (across Colorado from Kenichi):

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...ed_at_fif.html

Quote:

Hotel proposed at Fifth and Colorado
By Shonda Novak | Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 03:47 PM
In the first major new hotel announcement in nearly two years, a 17-story hotel is planned for downtown Austin near the Warehouse District.

The hotel, proposed for the southwest corner of West Fifth and Colorado streets, would be a new “eco-luxury” concept by Starwood Capital Group. Starwood has hired Woodbine Development Corp. to build the hotel with 250 to 275 rooms.

Woodbine, a seasoned hotel developer based in Dallas, developed the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines near Bastrop, as well as the Hyatt Regency Hill Country and the Westin La Cantera, both in San Antonio.

Steve Drenner, the Austin attorney for Starwood Capital, said his firm is excited to be working on the project, and “thrilled that Austin continues to be able to attract really first-rate hotel developers to its downtown core.“

Drenner has filed a request for a zoning change that would allow a higher building than city rules allow. Drenner said many downtown projects have received such allowances, including the 360 condominium tower and the W Austin Hotel and Residences under construction north of City Hall.

The higher side of the Starwood project would face Fifth Street, rising approximately 210 to 215 feet, Drenner said. The southern side, backing up to the Warehouse District, would be 30 to 35 feet high. There also will be a large deck, about 60 feet above ground level, with amenities including pool, public bar and “green” roof with significant landscaping.

The site is now occupied by a two-story brick building.

The board of the Downtown Austin Allliance, a group of downtown property and business owners, has endorsed the zoning change after hearing a presentation on the project last week.

Molly Alexander, executive director of the alliance, said that Starwood’s willingness to bring its new concept to Austin “continues to prove that Austin is the place to test new products, and that downtown is still a hot market.”

And to roll out a project with an emphasis on green features and sustainability, she said, “shows that we are on the cutting edge of the next phase of development.”

The City Council will have the final say on the project once it moves through several city commissions for approvals.

Drenner said he expects to wrap up the zoning process before the end of the year.

priller · #**5943** Posted: **Sep 9, 2009, 9:55 PM**

Hey, something new! That's a great use for that corner.

MichaelB · #**5944** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 1:53 AM**

Yes, great project for that corner. Non- desrcript 20ish year old building....away!!!!!!!!! Glad it is not one of the few remaining warehouses!

Scottolini · #**5945** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 2:02 AM**

Let's just hope they don't do demo, only to have it sit as an empty lot for a few years before they actually begin construction.

SecretAgentMan · #**5946** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 2:37 AM**

First posted on 08/06/09 with fewer details.

[QUOTE=AustinGuy;4447815]New Starwood concept hotel coming at 5th & Colorado (across Colorado from Kenichi):

QUOTE]

austlar1 · #**5947** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 8:33 AM**

Won't that cover up the blank wall on the rear of the Plaza Lofts?

MichaelB · #**5948** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 2:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

Won't that cover up the blank wall on the rear of the Plaza Lofts?

Plaza Lofts are another block west...... and on the west end of the block. So this is 1 1/2 blocks away.

priller · #**5949** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 3:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

Won't that cover up the blank wall on the rear of the Plaza Lofts?

Yeah, I thought about that, too. Unfortunately, no it won't, and the hotel guests on the west side will have a close view of the "great wall". Not very scenic. They should sell advertising on that wall like they do in other big cities. It needs a gigantic Apple ad or something like that.

MichaelB · #**5950** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

Yeah, I thought about that, too. Unfortunately, no it won't, and the hotel guests on the west side will have a close view of the "great wall". Not very scenic. They should sell advertising on that wall like they do in other big cities. It needs a gigantic Apple ad or something like that.

Unfortunately the only way that wall will be covered is to tear down more warehouses/clubs.

Mopacs · #**5951** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 4:58 PM**

I haven't ventured close enough to tell conclusively, but isn't there a similar blank 'wall' on the north side of 21 Rio?

bigdogc · #**5952** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopacs

I haven't ventured close enough to tell conclusively, but isn't there a similar blank 'wall' on the north side of 21 Rio?

There sure is! Wasn't the developers fault though. The people that own a small 8 unit apartment next door wouldn't sell, so when 21rio went up they had to follow city ordinances for fire reasons. Its a shame, but what can you do sometimes.

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5953** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 9:58 PM**

17-story condo. Surprise, surprise.

austlar1 · #**5954** Posted: **Sep 10, 2009, 10:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

Yeah, I thought about that, too. Unfortunately, no it won't, and the hotel guests on the west side will have a close view of the "great wall". Not very scenic. They should sell advertising on that wall like they do in other big cities. It needs a gigantic Apple ad or something like that.

Is that kind of advertising legal in Austin? If so, seems like the condo owners at the Plaza Lofts are missing out on a bit of revenue. It would look pretty cool to have some fashion advertising or something like you see on tower walls in Manhatten or Los Angeles. I also like the idea of having some kind of art projected onto the wall as a permanent or changing feature, maybe projected advertising. Anyway, it is just a thought.............

Jdawgboy · #**5955** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 12:09 AM**

I have seen in the past durring certain events that they had put projected advertisements and lighting effects on that wall. I think they should do it all the time.

MichaelB · #**5956** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 1:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopacs

I haven't ventured close enough to tell conclusively, but isn't there a similar blank 'wall' on the north side of 21 Rio?

yep.. real lovely

MichaelB · #**5957** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 2:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

Is that kind of advertising legal in Austin? If so, seems like the condo owners at the Plaza Lofts are missing out on a bit of revenue. It would look pretty cool to have some fashion advertising or something like you see on tower walls in Manhatten or Los Angeles. I also like the idea of having some kind of art projected onto the wall as a permanent or changing feature, maybe projected advertising. Anyway, it is just a thought.............

they used to project on it at night... art would be great. I would love to have that canvas!!!!!

Dan Denson · #**5958** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 2:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

Yeah, I thought about that, too. Unfortunately, no it won't, and the hotel guests on the west side will have a close view of the "great wall". Not very scenic. They should sell advertising on that wall like they do in other big cities. It needs a gigantic Apple ad or something like that.

Always wondered why the blank wall at the Plaza Lofts. Were they planning to eventually build onto the back of the building? I'm assuming I'm thinking of the right building.

KevinFromTexas · #**5959** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 5:27 AM**

9/6

These were taken from along 360 at Lost Creek Boulevard. There's an office park on Lost Creek Boulevard. Park there and cross the street. You'll have to run up the hill up to 360, but the view is nice. I took these around 11 am, and as you can see, it was very hazy out. You could see everything from the UT Tower to Legacy, but not all in one view.

LoneStarMike · #**5960** Posted: **Sep 11, 2009, 12:46 PM**

Nice shots. Thanks for running up those hills so I don't have to. I "strolled" yesterday along the south shore of Lady Bird Lake from Lamar to the Austin American-Statesman and back. I'm loving this cooler weather.

9/10

This dock between the SRV Stature and the South First St. Bridge must be fairly new.