Austin | Travis Co. Courthouse | 239' Feet | 13 Floors | Complete - Page 3

The ATX · #41 Posted **Dec 18, 2018, 8:09 PM**

This project went to the Design Commission for a density bonus because the zoning in that area only allowed for 120' buildings. It should be CBD. They got the density bonus, and here are more renderings from the meeting.

Plaza Zen Garden

http://austintx.swagit.com/play/12182018-633

Echostatic · #42 Posted **Dec 18, 2018, 10:11 PM**

Looking at those, I don't think the street level interaction will be that bad. It's a government project anyway, can't expect anything amazing...

the Genral · #43 Posted **Dec 18, 2018, 10:44 PM**

It looks like we're gaining a small park out of it. I'm not crazy about the steps leading up to the buildings, but it will keep the crazies from driving into them. Overall, I think the complex will look pretty nice there. It will certainly improve what's there now. But because its a government project, its function over form. Anything grandeur would come off as excessive. I think its appropriately designed. If it was destined to be anything else, I would be disappointed.

We vs us · #44 Posted **Dec 19, 2018, 1:57 AM**

The second tower seems to be only "potential" according to ABJ.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...is-county.html

I can't find any description of what the second tower might be used for -- gov offices, or market rate office? or what? But it looks like the second half of the block isn't exactly a done deal yet.

And to be honest, the renderings show a good deal more street interaction than it first looked like there'd be. I like it, TBH. Wish it her higher, but then I wish everything was higher

_Matt · #45 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 5:54 PM**

I really like the design of the plazas built beneath the tower. It's functional (shade) and creates more open space at street level.

The (potential) office building seems to have governmental purposes, with the seal emblazoned on the side in one of the photos. This would indicate that the current design of the office building is shown with security interests in mind. However it would be nice if the west side of the block could reflect the transition zone from CBD to historical neighborhood.

MichaelB · #46 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 6:12 PM**

At the end of the day it will be a "Dark Block" at night that replaces a long standing community PUB ( dog and duck) and 2 sources of affordable housing.
No street level retail or restaurants.
No food trailer court that was touted in earlier renderings.
IMO... not a good contribution to the fabric of the neighborhood.
On a plus side, it may spur the building to the north to be build, which does have steet level restaurant planned.... and may spark other supportive businesses.
Too bad the block will go dark at night..... not good.

chinchaaa · #47 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

At the end of the day it will be a "Dark Block" at night that replaces a long standing community PUB ( dog and duck) and 2 sources of affordable housing.
No street level retail or restaurants.
No food trailer court that was touted in earlier renderings.
IMO... not a good contribution to the fabric of the neighborhood.
On a plus side, it may spur the building to the north to be build, which does have steet level restaurant planned.... and may spark other supportive businesses.
Too bad the block will go dark at night..... not good.

I live near here. This area sucks. It's already dead at night. This lot has been a parking lot for several years now.

MichaelB · #48 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

I live near here. This area sucks. It's already dead at night. This lot has been a parking lot for several years now.

me too. It wasn't 2 years ago! kinda the point for me.
We lost housing and a great pub for parking lots and now a dark block.
.... does;t feel like this does anything to contribute to the hood.

_Matt · #49 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 8:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

me too. It wasn't 2 years ago! kinda the point for me.
We lost housing and a great pub for parking lots and now a dark block.
.... does;t feel like this does anything to contribute to the hood.

To be fair, this block is CBD, and the building is public infrastructure that needed to go somewhere centrally accessible. If anything, the added jobs and daytime activity will spur on more development than the parking lot (and pub) ever would have.

MichaelB · #50 Posted **Jan 2, 2019, 8:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Matt

To be fair, this block is CBD, and the building is public infrastructure that needed to go somewhere centrally accessible. If anything, the added jobs and daytime activity will spur on more development than the parking lot (and pub) ever would have.

yes and... could have been so much more. Feel like the county did not invite the surrounding neighbors in enough on the process.
There is no reason this could have not had street level interaction.
It was pushed when the building was originally on republic park.
to me.... it Should have contributed more to the area.

Higher standards please!

The ATX · #51 Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 10:08 PM**

This one is officially funded by Travis County which was not at all unexpected. But the article doesn't clarify whether or not the office tower is part of the initial funding.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n..._news_headline

KevinFromTexas · #52 Posted **Mar 14, 2019, 8:56 PM**

Fast track plan for the civil courthouse. The PDF only goes to page 28, which means no elevations yet. They're way down on page 80. Hopefully, we'll get to see those eventually.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...F1_PLAN_01.pdf

KevinFromTexas · #53 Posted **Mar 21, 2019, 8:10 PM**

Demolition plan was posted to the AULCC update.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...F1_PLAN_01.pdf

Urbannizer · #54 Posted **Mar 30, 2019, 8:37 PM**

The ATX · #55 Posted **Mar 31, 2019, 8:22 PM**

Nice. Things are really looking up for that area. The 18-story Hilton Garden hotel should be starting soon as well. The 27-story 17th St. Condos tower is probably a year out from starting, and the 410 Uptown office tower is still a mystery at this point

KevinFromTexas · #56 Posted **Apr 4, 2019, 7:05 PM**

The site plan with the elevations for both the courthouse and office tower were posted to the AULCC page.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...F2_PLAN_01.pdf

They show the heights as 238 feet 6 inches to the mechanical penthouse for the commercial office tower with 13 floors, and 234 feet 6 inches for the courthouse with 12 floors.

KevinFromTexas · #57 Posted **Apr 5, 2019, 6:36 PM**

Demolition permit for the office building at 408 West 17th Street

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=428828

MichaelB · #58 Posted **Apr 6, 2019, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Demolition permit for the office building at 408 West 17th Street

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=428828

Apartments.... actually between this building and the Larger building that was at the NW corner of the block ( Old hotel actually turned into apartments)
This area lost a lot of affordable housing.
And a great neighborhood bar.
And a community organization that was housed on 17th.

Just keeping it honest here that new folks see that block as "empty". But it was all active but torn down by a developer who the sat on it and left it a black eye on the neighborhood...... just to keep it real.

KevinFromTexas · #59 Posted **Apr 6, 2019, 10:02 PM**

That's pretty low density, though, and has horrible street interaction being surrounded by parking on three sides.

Maximusx1 · #60 Posted **Apr 8, 2019, 8:24 PM**

Parking lot was 80% empty today after being 100% full on Friday.