AUSTIN | Photos & Videos Thread

[Urbannizer]

Summer Sunsets by Gabriel Gutierrez, on Flickr

[AusTxDevelopment]

Here are some downtown photos from the Riverside area. I 'de-hazed' them which made them kinda blue-green. Original versions at the link. https://imgur.com/a/AgKGp8N

[the Genral]

Those last two pics show Austin in its most flattering way. The more I study them, the more I can see into the future of how potential plans could change the whole look of the downtown area. You can also see where the deficiencies are. By far my favorite photographic angle of the city. And once again, thank you AusTxDevelopment for providing us with these up to date awesome pictures.

[smith_atx]

Think how good the last pic would be if we capped I35 .

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by smith_atx

Think how good the last pic would be if we capped I35 .

That would actually deprive me of one of my favorite stretch of highways for viewing downtown from 41st to Oltorf. But I do agree with you. I know I35 has had a contentious relationship with the east side of it, but setting aside that for another argument on another day, I like the way it gives downtown an eastern border line or edge if you will, the way the river gives it on the southern end. It begs to be lined with much higher quality and taller structures, but then I guess that would block the main attraction. But dated, ugly, 80s era fails like the Hilton Garden Inn and the building right next to it, and the police station, Texas Monthly's parking garage, ect...well to be civil, those are...….disappointing. The Hilton Garden Inn and its butt ugly neighbor with the undefinable and wtf design, are the two worst looking buildings downtown, and the worst part of it is they are front and center to thousands of drive bys everyday. I'd be ok if they just cut and cap in front of them.

[gillynova]

Ugh. It's so beautiful

[zrx299]

Great to see so much green cover. I wonder what these aerials would look like without the city tree ordinances...

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Great to see so much green cover. I wonder what these aerials would look like without the city tree ordinances...

El Paso sans the mountains

[gabetx]

Downtown Austin by Gabriel Gutierrez, on Flickr

[zrx299]

Great shot! Any idea why the top of Frost isn't lit? Do they turn it off at some point in the night?

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by gabetx

Downtown Austin by Gabriel Gutierrez, on Flickr

Fantastic shot! I like how you captured the lights of the approaching plane in the background... unless that's actually one enormous tower crane boom extending from the Marriott

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Great shot! Any idea why the top of Frost isn't lit? Do they turn it off at some point in the night?

Yes after a certain time they turn it off every night. I think it's usually around midnight. What's funny is I work nights around Riverside. I'll look at downtown once and it will be lit. The next time I look at the skyline, it's been turned off. Happens almost every night to me, haha.

Thanks Mopacs! It would make sense to have a boom extending across the entirety of downtown with the constant construction lol, but it is indeed a plane!

[zrx299]

Was driving through downtown last night at 11:30pm and Frost was already turned off.

11:30pm. On a Thursday night. That's weak sauce.

[The ATX]

From South Lamar:


https://www.flickr.com/photos/freela...hd2wUA-2hd3nVY

[smith_atx]

Just an ignorant guess on Frost lighting...maybe the lighting system is old/out-of-date and has to use expensive and inefficient bulbs or lamps. Therefore it's expensive to keep on.

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by smith_atx

Just an ignorant guess on Frost lighting...maybe the lighting system is old/out-of-date and has to use expensive and inefficient bulbs or lamps. Therefore it's expensive to keep on.

I thought it was discussed before that they turn the lights off for crickets.

[IluvATX]

repost delete

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

I thought it was discussed before that they turn the lights off for crickets.

They have shut them off due to crickets. Crickets aren't always active enough to be an issue though. I think they're mostly a problem in the springtime. I'm no cricket expert though.

[KevinFromTexas]

That South Lamar view, it's odd that you can't see the Capitol dome there, but you can see the upper deck of DKR Stadium. That's a gorgeous view. You can see the lighting on the Hotel ZaZa there. Is the pink tree they have on the roof going to be permanent? That seems like an odd choice. I don't mind it, just wondering why they went with that. That view will go away of the Hotel Zaza once the Republic is up. 305 Colorado is going to fill the gap between the W and the Colorado Tower nicely. That view of the south facade of the Aloft Hotel with that blank wall has always bugged me. I can't say I will miss it.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by paul78701

They have shut them off due to crickets. Crickets aren't always active enough to be an issue though. I think they're mostly a problem in the springtime. I'm no cricket expert though.

I'm not an expert either but I know we'll see large swarms in late summer and early Fall when they get together for a cricket F**k fest, then lay eggs that will hatch in 3 months to begin an even bigger swarm in early spring. They can fly and are attracted to light. There aren't too many months where you don't have to worry about leaving the lights on.