AUSTIN Update Thread

[CBDnerd]

7Rio Re-imagined as Rental Project
December 26, 2011 12:04 Filed in: News
According to the Downtown Austin Blog, 7Rio may be back on the drawing board. The previously proposed 32-story condo project on 7th and Rio Grande -- on the site of Ranch 616 -- is now supposedly being redrawn as a 24-story rental tower adjacent to Ranch 616.

With the rapid rise in rental rates, developers are racing to bring new projects to market. New towers are already under development on the Whitley printing site and Lamar near second street. In the current market environment, rental units are being absorbed at a much quicker rate than comparable condo units. For this reason, rental projects are easier to fund and manage to profitability.

We will post additional details as they emerge.

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_D...e-entry-id-584

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

I would have to disagree. Two proposals being equal, I hope they go with the Austin firm.

This project is huge. This will be seen and enjoyed my loads and loads of people for a very long time. This is the kind of project that can take a local firm to the next level. This will be looked at by people all over the world. Regardless of how well known or of past success the firm is there is not a firm in the world that wouldn't love to add this in their portfolio. It will get them jobs all over the world, as well as hire new top talent. Having successful local firms like that, drawing top talent and jobs, is good for the city. Not to mention keeping the money in town.

But like I said, only with two proposals being equal. Then support local. If one is clearly better then by all means, of course go with the best.

Hey ya, We are in agreement. I tried to carefully say: " If it happens in the proposals, great, I would prefer a local,". And I would.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by CBDnerd

7Rio Re-imagined as Rental Project
December 26, 2011 12:04 Filed in: News
According to the Downtown Austin Blog, 7Rio may be back on the drawing board. The previously proposed 32-story condo project on 7th and Rio Grande -- on the site of Ranch 616 -- is now supposedly being redrawn as a 24-story rental tower adjacent to Ranch 616.

With the rapid rise in rental rates, developers are racing to bring new projects to market. New towers are already under development on the Whitley printing site and Lamar near second street. In the current market environment, rental units are being absorbed at a much quicker rate than comparable condo units. For this reason, rental projects are easier to fund and manage to profitability.

We will post additional details as they emerge.

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_D...e-entry-id-584

Im kinda irritated that they are scaling back this project. I heard that they were a few weeks ago. You can be assured it will not be a nice slender point tower. Ironically enough even though part of the lot is within the capital view corridor the site can have a tower of up to 560 feet in height which also upsets me that once again a site that can hold a tall tower is being taken up by a shorter building.

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Hey ya, We are in agreement. I tried to carefully say: " If it happens in the proposals, great, I would prefer a local,". And I would.

Right on.

I do think we have people in Austin that are every bit as good as anywhere else and more than capable of putting forth equally competitive proposals. Like Speck, who did Discovery Green in Houston. Discovery has done wonders for that horrible part of Downtown Houston that has always been just a bunch of parking lots. They have lots of massive new hotels, and another 1000+ room hotel that was recently announced for it, and the convention center saw an immediate boost of 20% when Discovery opened. I would love to see that same level of development that is happening around Discovery, happen around Waller.

However with Discovery he pretty much just brought Austin to Houston, and it worked. I'm not saying that is what he should do here, and I think he knows that. Austin already has tons of 'Discovery Greens' around downtown, so that is not what is needed, or really wanted. But with other things like Second Street here in Austin I think he has shown he can be very cosmopolitan in an Austin way with lots of bike racks and such. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Sabine going to be shut off from cars and turned into a pedestrian/bike road as part of this project?

And not just him but there are others too in Austin, and also San Antonio, that I think are very capable at the 'cosmopolitan or international' that many are looking for. Hopefully they will get a fair shot at it. I know several locals put in bids. This would be a huge opportunity for them. =)

[Jdawgboy]

I say Austin needs a shot of European influence. They have some of the best urban spaces anywhere on Earth and I would like to see a fusion of Austin and European design mixed in this project. Thats why I am interested in the European firms more. Im not putting down our local firms but as somebody who I know that works for the city watershed department put it. It may be more of what the Keep Austin Weird people want which IMO means more of the same old thing Austin already has.

I want to see a green space meandering through an urban landscape with glass towers on the edges and shops, restaurants, Hot nightlife spots and lounges. A total fusion of nature and city. It has to be Austin, but at the same time has to be different than what we have now as well as different than what other cities have. If the local firms can pull something off bold and different then I am fine with that but I have a feeling that it may not be what we think.

[Hill Country]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I say Austin needs a shot of European influence. They have some of the best urban spaces anywhere on Earth and I would like to see a fusion of Austin and European design mixed in this project. Thats why I am interested in the European firms more. Im not putting down our local firms but as somebody who I know that works for the city watershed department put it. It may be more of what the Keep Austin Weird people want which IMO means more of the same old thing Austin already has.

I want to see a green space meandering through an urban landscape with glass towers on the edges and shops, restaurants, Hot nightlife spots and lounges. A total fusion of nature and city. It has to be Austin, but at the same time has to be different than what we have now as well as different than what other cities have. If the local firms can pull something off bold and different then I am fine with that but I have a feeling that it may not be what we think.

I would prefer an American designer with expertise in those suburban "lifestyle" centers. Maybe a big box anchor on each end of the creek, plenty of parking, a Chili's somewhere in the grand scheme and absolutely no bus stops.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I say Austin needs a shot of European influence. They have some of the best urban spaces anywhere on Earth and I would like to see a fusion of Austin and European design mixed in this project. Thats why I am interested in the European firms more. Im not putting down our local firms but as somebody who I know that works for the city watershed department put it. It may be more of what the Keep Austin Weird people want which IMO means more of the same old thing Austin already has.

I want to see a green space meandering through an urban landscape with glass towers on the edges and shops, restaurants, Hot nightlife spots and lounges. A total fusion of nature and city. It has to be Austin, but at the same time has to be different than what we have now as well as different than what other cities have. If the local firms can pull something off bold and different then I am fine with that but I have a feeling that it may not be what we think.

Call me silly, but I'd also like for it to be a space that becomes popular in movie cameos, post card appearances, something that defines Austin, something that when you mention Austin you mention this. If a local has something better than someone from outside, great! But I hope locals aren't simply given first priority just because they are locals. I want something very very very nice!

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

I would prefer an American designer with expertise in those suburban "lifestyle" centers. Maybe a big box anchor on each end of the creek, plenty of parking, a Chili's somewhere in the grand scheme and absolutely no bus stops.

I know you are joking, but you did make me think of one thing... that side of Downtown could use a grocery.

Though the Whole Foods downtown is by far the most amazing grocery in the history of groceries and it would take some big cojones to want to compete with it. Maybe a Fiesta or something like that?

Not to be included in the creek design of course, but hopefully something like that could be included in one of the developments that, again hopefully, pop up from a successful creek project?

[Hill Country]

There is a Fiesta grocery store "near" there. It's on IH-35 opposite the general vicinity of the failed East Avenue development and Handycock Center.

[BevoLJ]

^^
Ya, but I was thinking more for for those on the east side of downtown, and in East Austin near there 6th where there has been lots going on. Like more pedestrian or bike friendly. Although now that I think about it, whenever I go to Fiesta the people I see shopping there seem to buy enormous quantities at once. So maybe it might not be the best option for a downtown grocery.

Whole Foods is good for walking or biking in, maybe a Central Market to compete with it? I recently bought a scooter since Austin now has free parking for scooters and it gets over 100 mpg and saves a lot on gas (but really because it is crazy cute, and fun as hell! lol). I can zoom over to Whole Foods on my scooter and pick up some food for dinner no problem, but there is no way I could carry all the food that I see many buy at the Fiestas. Fiesta is no doubt better as a more auto-centric store, and that one you mentioned is likely perfect for its customers.

It would just be nice to get some sort of Grocery somewhere near Red River along this creek, rather than have to go to Lamar.

[TXAlex]

Whoever decided that new years fireworks in Austin were supposed to be at 10pm needs to be fired (insert a more interesting word here).

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by TXAlex

Whoever decided that new years fireworks in Austin were supposed to be at 10pm needs to be fired (insert a more interesting word here).

I agree this is the second year they they have done this when before they did it at midnight. But on the one hand it does get you back in Downtown to party. Still overall I liked it better at midnight.

[TXAlex]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I agree this is the second year they they have done this when before they did it at midnight. But on the one hand it does get you back in Downtown to party. Still overall I liked it better at midnight.

It's a very anticlimactic end of year and beginning of a new one. Basically it takes the celebration out of the celebration.

As midnight strikes even the remnant smoke had passed.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by TXAlex

It's a very anticlimactic end of year and beginning of a new one. Basically it takes the celebration out of the celebration.

As midnight strikes even the remnant smoke had passed.

Yeah, it's really stupid. But hey, that's what happens when the city decides to make anything "family friendly"...Can't wait to see dirty 6th after they alter that for families. It'll have the pulse of a zombie.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Yeah, it's really stupid. But hey, that's what happens when the city decides to make anything "family friendly"...Can't wait to see dirty 6th after they alter that for families. It'll have the pulse of a zombie.

I don't think they're trying to make 6th more family friendly as opposed to making it more vibrant during the day. I'd like for 6th to look cleaner too, but that doesn't mean that the night life and vibrancy at night is going to get taken out.

I personally would just like for downtown area to be completely lit up with people throughout the entire day and even moreso at night. I don't know how it would be done and I know a lot of people don't seem to agree with the idea but I doubt its gonna be as doom and gloomy as people are making it out to be for Austin's nightlife.

The mission district here in San Francisco is always vibrant from night to day so I think its very possible for something like that to happen in downtown Austin.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by migol24

I don't think they're trying to make 6th more family friendly as opposed to making it more vibrant during the day. I'd like for 6th to look cleaner too, but that doesn't mean that the night life and vibrancy at night is going to get taken out.

I personally would just like for downtown area to be completely lit up with people throughout the entire day and even moreso at night. I don't know how it would be done and I know a lot of people don't seem to agree with the idea but I doubt its gonna be as doom and gloomy as people are making it out to be for Austin's nightlife.

The mission district here in San Francisco is always vibrant from night to day so I think its very possible for something like that to happen in downtown Austin.

It is possible of course, but whenever "cleaning it up" comes into a sentence, it suggests more control and a strong hint of toning things down. It ruins the very essence of what makes 6th fun. If I wanted to go down a clean and tidy street, I'll walk down 2nd.
I do think if they do it right, it could be great mix...

[BevoLJ]

My fear is to much of that, and the rents just get to high to allow the clubs to stay open. Pushing everything off to other streets. Or worse out to Riverside like Emo's.

What to me makes Austin such a great destination is how rare it is to find the number of places on one street. In such a concentrated area. Where when meeting with friends you don't need to catch a cab to meet up with others at another place, but just walk a block or two.

I'm still very upset Emo's is no longer DT. =(

[migol24]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I do think if they do it right, it could be great mix...

well, let's just hope for the best. austin developers haven't entirely disappointed as of late.

[kingkirbythe....]

In 6th Street's case, "cleaning it up" should also mean power washing the street and sidewalks. It's dirty even for a street and sidewalks. Just once a week would make all the difference.

[Hill Country]

All the vomit, urine and B.O. does at times scent the air around there.