SXSW HQ (1400 Lavaca) | 179 Feet | 12 Floors | Complete

[The ATX]

The address is 1400 Lavaca, and the building is being designed by Gensler. Renderings will be available later this month. From the ABJ:

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/11/22/sxsw-affiliate-plans-12-story-office-tower.html


The site plan:

https://www.austintexas.gov/devreview/b_showpublicpermitfolderdetails.jsp?FolderRSN=11607450

[LiveattheOasis]

Would be fantastic to get something lively in this part of town!

[The ATX]

Twelve floors is not much to get excited about. But a Gensler building following the Great Streets guidelines is much better than what's there now:

http://i.imgur.com/DbocUJW.png
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/11/22/sxsw-affiliate-plans-12-story-office-tower.html

[Maximusx1]

Twelve floors is not much to get excited about. But a Gensler building following the Great Streets guidelines is much better than what's there now:

http://i.imgur.com/DbocUJW.png
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/11/22/sxsw-affiliate-plans-12-story-office-tower.html

I agree that a Gensler building there will be great. And I'm not one to say things like this, but the trees on that property are fantastic and I hope there is some effort to preserve them.

FWIW I work across the street from this building so I can monitor with a birds eye :tup:

[KevinFromTexas]

This is across the street from that long planned "Capitol Terrace" tower (SW corner of that intersection). That building is also planned to have 12 floors. I think it was an American-Statesman article that said that one would be 163 feet. Anyway, it likely won't even be as tall as the Doubletree Hotel across the street.

[deerhoof]

Rendering here: https://mobile.twitter.com/gdinges/status/801205089419620352

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cx5sW8tWEAA4r_t.jpg:large

[KevinFromTexas]

Well now...

The American-Statesman has an article on it now.

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business/sxsw-headquarters-plans-move-to-new-12-story-austi/ntCmL/

[clubtokyo]

Looks nice! The news just the developer will preserve the trees! Yay!

[The ATX]

Nice. That's about the best we could have hoped for in a 12-story office building.

[JACKinBeantown]

It reminds me of a building in San Antonio from the early 80s on Loop 410.

http://www.strayer.edu/sites/default/files/styles/mosaic_tile_3x3/public/campus/campus_image/tx_san_antonio.jpg?itok=GrzEThwD
http://www.strayer.edu/sites/default/files/styles/mosaic_tile_3x3/public/campus/campus_image/tx_san_antonio.jpg?itok=GrzEThwD

[drummer]

Nice. That's about the best we could have hoped for in a 12-story office building.

I agree. I like the curves....much better than a 12-story box. Speaking of boxes, what is the nondescript box in front? It doesn't appear to be a massing of an existing building.

[Maximusx1]

I agree. I like the curves....much better than a 12-story box. Speaking of boxes, what is the nondescript box in front? It doesn't appear to be a massing of an existing building.

That must be the parking garage sticking out of the whole.

Yay for the trees! Beautiful building!

[austlar1]

I doubt the SXSW folks need more than a couple of floors. This building will be home to a lot of lobbyists. Ditto for the remodel happening about a block away.

[The ATX]

Here's the other rendering from the Statesman article. It's easier to see that the square portion is attached to the building.

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/728/img/photos/2016/11/22/de/b2/image001-3-.jpg

[drummer]

Here's the other rendering from the Statesman article. It's easier to see that the square portion is attached to the building.

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/728/img/photos/2016/11/22/de/b2/image001-3-.jpg

Thanks. The curve was throwing me off in the other rendering.

[The ATX]

There are three backup files with extensive building information on the Design Commission's website. The elevations are included. The building is 169' feet to the roof per the elevations. But there is another reference to the height being 171' which would account for mechanical. There is a meeting tomorrow about granting a density bonus.

Design Commission:
http://austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/22_1.htm

Another rendering from one of the backup files:
http://i.imgur.com/EqDaGtk.png

From one of the backup files:
http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l511/ihatethisplacenothingworks/SXSW%20HQ%202.png

[KevinFromTexas]

The building elevations are only listing those two rooftop boxes seen here on either end of the building. The highest part of the building is that center rooftop box, but its height isn't listed on the elevations. I measured it with a piece of paper and marked it, then compared the height. I used the roof line of that center rooftop box and went down to the main roof line, which is at 158.5 feet. Then I used my two lines I drew and went down the building to see if they lined up with any of the floor heights. The floor to floor height of the 11th floor is 15 feet, which just so happens to match the lines I drew. So adding 15 feet to the 158.5 foot main roof line gives you a height of 173.5 feet for that highest roof top box in the center of the building.

Maybe someone else can measure the elevations to see if they get anything different.

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l511/ihatethisplacenothingworks/SXSW%20HQ%202.png

[drummer]

On my screen it's about 2.5 inches. :haha:

[ivanwolf]

I hope this helps, the top most roof is 6' higher than the highest measurement.

The 10' measurement is proof of scale. (PDF-XChange Viewer)

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u596/artywoof/1400%20Lavaca%20SXSW/1400LavacaSXSW_zps8nhr8z4c.jpg (http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/artywoof/media/1400%20Lavaca%20SXSW/1400LavacaSXSW_zps8nhr8z4c.jpg.html)

[austlar1]

What does the rear look like? How much of a view will south facing hotel rooms have once this is built? Right now those hotel rooms next door have a pretty sweeping view of downtown.

[KevinFromTexas]

I hope this helps, the top most roof is 6' higher than the highest measurement.

The 10' measurement is proof of scale. (PDF-XChange Viewer)

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u596/artywoof/1400%20Lavaca%20SXSW/1400LavacaSXSW_zps8nhr8z4c.jpg (http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/artywoof/media/1400%20Lavaca%20SXSW/1400LavacaSXSW_zps8nhr8z4c.jpg.html)

I was looking into getting that program, but how do you determine the scale? I keep coming up with numbers that are either higher or lower than the listed number on the elevations.

[The ATX]

No surprises here. The Design Commission approved the density bonus giving this project the additional 51' in height.

http://austintx.swagit.com/play/11282016-912

[AusTxDevelopment]

Interesting story about why the building is curved the way it is, from the Austin Towers blog (Jude Galligan). It was to preserve the trees.

The Trees that made glass and steel wave
http://austin.towers.net/sxsw-the-trees-that-made-glass-and-steel-wave/

Snipped from the article:

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w362/AusTxDevelopment/snip2_zpslpfdjf9u.jpg

The story was written before the additional height was approved, but below is another snip from the article:

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w362/AusTxDevelopment/snip_zpsiiyz0pji.jpg

[ivanwolf]

I was looking into getting that program, but how do you determine the scale? I keep coming up with numbers that are either higher or lower than the listed number on the elevations.

So that program has an ability to just type in the scale of the map 1:20 or so and you then can measure accurately. However sometimes you get a map that is photo copied or scanned and the scale does not match. You can either go about the algebra way with a ruler measuring the lines and figure it out or just plug in new numbers in 20 section until you find the correct scale.

That's all I did was keep entering scales until I got it to match the 10' segment. As this elevation did not have a scale. I turns out the scale is 1:24.

[hereinaustin]

Interesting story about why the building is curved the way it is, from the Austin Towers blog (Jude Galligan). It was to preserve the trees.

Not sure if he just hasn't proofed the article yet, but man, he repeated himself several times.

It was noted that the parking levels are being designed to allow them to be converted to office space, if need be.

I found that to be pretty neat!

[KevinFromTexas]

Tower crane plans.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/AULCC_2017/170105/PLANS/AULCC_1400%20Lavaca%20Office%20Project-Tower%20Crane_PLANS.pdf

[JoninATX]

This one should be moving forward real soon.

[Urbannizer]

https://pcf-p.com/projects/south-by-southwest-headquarters/

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/3.ren.1607_SXSW_dusk01.max-1600x1600.jpg

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/3.ren.1607_SXSW_dusk03.max-1600x1600.jpg

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/3.ren.1607_SXSW_dusk04.max-1600x1600.jpg

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/int03.max-1600x1600.jpg

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/int02.max-1600x1600.jpg

https://pcfandtypecodewebstuff.s3.amazonaws.com/images/int04.max-1600x1600.jpg

[Tornado]

The interior renderings of that floor remind me of KEXP studios up in Seattle. I love spending time there when I visit.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53e24287e4b0a6bee90f0e0f/5465462fe4b011167bed370a/57b637416a49637ae96f46da/1482872830077/SKB_KEXP_6874_F_8bit_small.jpg
Gallery of KEXP Headquarters / SkB Architects - 1 http://www.archdaily.com/799202/kexp-headquarters-skb-architects/5824e856e58ecee7000000ff-kexp-headquarters-skb-architects-image

http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5824/e834/e58e/cea0/5800/0036/newsletter/SKB_KEXP_6748_F3_8bit.jpg?1478813744
KEXP Headquarters / SkB Architects | ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/799202/kexp-headquarters-skb-architects

[The ATX]

From Austin Towers:

http://austin.towers.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/03a-Reduced-1170x800.jpg
http://austin.towers.net/

[drummer]

I like this one more and more every time I see it.

[JoninATX]

I like this one more and more every time I see it.

Same here. :cheers:

[Urbannizer]

http://studiodwg.com/projects/sxsw-headquarters/

http://studiodwg.com/wp-content/uploads/sxsw_large2.jpg

http://studiodwg.com/wp-content/uploads/SXSW_large1.jpg

http://studiodwg.com/wp-content/uploads/sxsw_med1.jpg

http://studiodwg.com/wp-content/uploads/sxsw_med2.jpg

[We vs us]

They're going to have a gorgeous view of DT.

[The ATX]

They still have to get approval from the Historic Landmark Commission to demo the ugly building on the site. But that doesn't seem like it will be a problem based on the presentation for the Monday 06/26 meeting.

The presentations for the subject property at these meetings include an interesting history of the property in question. This one includes a 1971 Statesman article announcing the project and includes a rendering. Little projects like this must have been a much bigger deal in 1971.

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=279695

[drummer]

We ought to start calling this one "The Wave".

[KevinFromTexas]

The site plan was posted again to the city's website, and it shows a slight increase in height. This lists it as 178 feet 6 inches to the mechanical penthouse.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/AULCC_2017/170720/PLANS/AULCC_1400%20Lavaca%20Street_PLANS.pdf

[The ATX]

I don't recall if we've seen the complete site plan/elevations for this project yet, but here it is:

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/AULCC_2017/170810/PLANS/AULCC_1400%20Lavaca%20Street_PLANS.pdf

[urbancore]

Do we know a start date for this one? I freaking love it.

[JoninATX]

Do we know a start date for this one? I freaking love it.

The start date was scheduled back in June, but like almost any project these days, it likely got delayed.

[eskimo33]

Does anyone have an update on this? I am by this area a frequently and I think that they have demoed the building to the studs, or maybe a building near here?

[austlar1]

Don't think the Restaurant Association building is anywhere near demolition. ¥ou are probably talking about the four or five story building a few blocks to the south that is being renovated. It is completely gutted at present. I am starting to think maybe this sexy SXSW building is not going to happen. It is taking too long, and there has not been much information about it in a while. Hope I am wrong because it is an elegant design.

[The ATX]

This one is not in trouble. The site plan hasn't been approved yet, but the tower crane permit was filed on 07/24. The tower crane filing means this is as much of a sure thing as a project can be before an official ground breaking.

Edit: The site plan went "Inactive" not too long ago which means a change is coming.

[eskimo33]

Don't think the Restaurant Association building is anywhere near demolition. ¥ou are probably talking about the four or five story building a few blocks to the south that is being renovated. It is completely gutted at present. I am starting to think maybe this sexy SXSW building is not going to happen. It is taking too long, and there has not been much information about it in a while. Hope I am wrong because it is an elegant design.

You are right austlar, thanks for the clarification! :)

[Chiveman]

Don't think the Restaurant Association building is anywhere near demolition. ¥ou are probably talking about the four or five story building a few blocks to the south that is being renovated. It is completely gutted at present. I am starting to think maybe this sexy SXSW building is not going to happen. It is taking too long, and there has not been much information about it in a while. Hope I am wrong because it is an elegant design.

Walked past the site today and a construction fence was up and workers were present. I'd say demolition is imminent. :cheers:

Having issues posting the picture through my phone...

Picture Here (https://imgur.com/26lcWOd)

[The ATX]

Here's the photo from Chiveman's link:

https://i.imgur.com/LfwbNyX.png

[austlar1]

Good news! This one should be nice.

[Maximusx1]

The building is currently being demolished. Source: I've been watching it out my office window all afternoon!

[Flatiron]

9/24/17
https://i.imgur.com/BCfCf9Vh.jpg

[Urbannizer]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4448/37576054876_b576270a4a_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Zft6Z7)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/Zft6Z7) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[The ATX]

This KXAN article from last week says the official groundbreaking is this week:

http://kxan.com/2017/11/08/sxsw-to-break-ground-on-new-office-space-next-week/

From the article:
https://lintvkxan.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/14th-and-lavaca.jpg?w=650&h=488

[427MM]

Seeing a lot of nice pics on DWG's Instagram page from today's groundbreaking! Good lookin' bldg coming soon.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, this one should be interesting. I'm also hoping for some LED ring lights around the roof. With the curved shape that should look nice.

[Urbannizer]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4687/25359214318_cf9d4998c1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ECUAV5)
SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/ECUAV5) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[the Genral]

That's a great picture.....of a pile of dirt.;)

[The ATX]

From this past week:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUU85ceVoAAJn5p.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATXrising?src=hash

[The ATX]

The original version of this project was pretty cool too:

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb059_32a201ec7d2c4bcc866c1e2e249de75b~mv2_d_3200_1668_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1320,h_688,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/8cb059_32a201ec7d2c4bcc866c1e2e249de75b~mv2_d_3200_1668_s_2.webp
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb059_5774c95540e84d079585acdc315f073e~mv2_d_3200_1667_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1288,h_671,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/8cb059_5774c95540e84d079585acdc315f073e~mv2_d_3200_1667_s_2.webp
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb059_1d2b49c5caf14996b8dafa491bc45c23~mv2_d_3200_1668_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1287,h_671,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/8cb059_1d2b49c5caf14996b8dafa491bc45c23~mv2_d_3200_1668_s_2.webp
https://www.gensleraustinten.com/

[The ATX]

Columns are up. (The crane left of center is for this project for those not keeping up.)

http://images4.loopnet.com/i2/S_fnbh1_ur5RFXs6JT_t_iOmfA_iwIDsfq4HnpD6wA4/116/image.jpg
http://looplink.austin.cbre.us/xNet/Looplink/TmplEngine/ListingProfilePage.aspx?stid=cbre/austin&LID=11536209&LL=true&UOMListing=&UOMMoneyCurrency=&RentPer=PM&SRID=0&IP=false

[Urbannizer]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/834/41566899511_46e22dc35a_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26k8e4e)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/26k8e4e) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/930/27696898628_85aa01d586_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JctR1Y)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/JctR1Y) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[Urbannizer]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/42042720401_fafcf57612_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/274aW2F)
SXSW Heaquarters (https://flic.kr/p/274aW2F) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[Jdawgboy]

Doesn't seem like much has happened from the last update.

[sammyk]

Doesn't seem like much has happened from the last update.

Maybe the two workers that went from the Library to Hotel Zaza to 70 Rainey have made their way to this project.

[The ATX]

Doesn't seem like much has happened from the last update.

It's one floor higher. I think the shortage of construction workers is more than just anecdotal info and really a serious problem.

[The ATX]

Working on the 8th floor...

https://i.imgur.com/b2Pq8SX.png
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23atxrising&src=typd

[Urbannizer]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/842/42773116884_0010fce52a_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28aHpsu)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/28aHpsu) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/28602949497_af047c9833_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KzxAnF)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/KzxAnF) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1785/43441866892_35e6e5a3ca_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29bNVx3)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/29bNVx3) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[Urbannizer]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1832/42354608790_eb0b196194_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27wJrzG)
SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/27wJrzG) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[Urbannizer]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/43492729704_1d724365e8_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29giBh5)
SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/29giBh5) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[clubtokyo]

Looking good! Also thank you Urbannizer for always providing good updates and pictures!

[austlar1]

I love this building.

[Syndic]

Makes me wonder: could we start seeing SXSW events being held farther north (around this area) due to the absence of empty lots in the urban core? Pure speculation, of course, but I would like that.

Also curious if SXSW will use the yard in front of Seaholm Power Plant for events? I don't think I've seen any events being held there but all the renderings showed that going on. Feels like we need more dedicated plazas and gathering spaces.

[chinchaaa]

Makes me wonder: could we start seeing SXSW events being held farther north (around this area) due to the absence of empty lots in the urban core? Pure speculation, of course, but I would like that.

Also curious if SXSW will use the yard in front of Seaholm Power Plant for events? I don't think I've seen any events being held there but all the renderings showed that going on. Feels like we need more dedicated plazas and gathering spaces.

There are already events held near this building. Spider House and parking lots in this area frequently have SXSW shows.

[Urbannizer]

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1841/29323322987_eba720c433_h.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sec-army-pao/29323322987/sizes/h/

[Urbannizer]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/44345311962_f622bc7e75_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ayDjhb)
SXSW Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/2ayDjhb) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[Urbannizer]

Topped out

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1956/44862004332_43ef22c640_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bmiuVj)
SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/2bmiuVj) by Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1962/43099854830_50cd9af5f4_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28EA2gm)SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/28EA2gm) by
Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1917/43999622655_6df79108ef_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2a36yTH)SXSW HQ (https://flic.kr/p/2a36yTH) by
Darius Fontenette (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128036658@N05/), on Flickr

[KevinFromTexas]

I just realized this has grey panels the same way that Third+Shoal does. I gotta admit, they look good here. I especially like the way they catch the light thanks to the curve in the facade.

[Urbannizer]

Crane coming down.

[_Matt]

Anybody know about the coffeeshop in the lobby?

[levon]

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a47f5a6b8f5b42ebc1d0bf/t/5c5dea291905f4377b7cf56b/1549658701134/IMG_6763.jpg?format=1000w
www.1400lavaca.com

[KevinFromTexas]

Are they leasing yet? Or are they still doing interior work?

[the Genral]

Words cannot describe my happiness with this building and a coat on my lap can't hide it either.

[The ATX]

Are they leasing yet? Or are they still doing interior work?

Loopnet has the office space listed as available on June 1st.

[KevinFromTexas]

WeWork is taking 65,000 square feet on three floors.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/03/12/wework-to-lease-space-at-new-sxsw-center-in.html?iana=hpmvp_aus_news_headline

[drummer]

To me, that seems like a good move. SXSW being the incubator of sorts that it is as an organization and a quality co-working space (often, but not exclusively, used by start-ups and the folks dreaming of the next big thing, etc.) seem like it could be a good partnership.

[lzppjb]

LonghornSean on surlyhorns.com posted this the other night. He said they were cycling through different colors.

https://i.ibb.co/yWCcd87/sxsw.png

[Jdawgboy]

Yes I noticed it lastnight when me and my friends were walking along Guadalupe. Finally some cool lighting. Too bad its not on a tall highrise where it could be seen on the skyline from a distance. Hopefully more buildings will follow their example.


Oh I saw the lights on the Austonian on but looks like they are still working on retrofitting since there were blank parts and a couple of the segments where different colors.

[Echostatic]

Also saw the lighting on SXSW this morning, but it was solid blue when I got a look at it.

[Jdawgboy]

Also saw the lighting on SXSW this morning, but it was solid blue when I got a look at it.

Ugh they better not leave it blue all the time. Having it change colors the way it did is 1000 times better than boring blue which we already have with several buildings.

I mean say in the above pic the lights were steady instead of moving, it would still be a whole lot better than a single solid blue. Again why spend the kind of money for these elaborate lighting systems if they aren't going to be used to their full potential??..

[KevinFromTexas]

With the shape of that building and LED technology, they could create some really neat wave effects with the LEDs.

[Urbannizer]

https://i.imgur.com/gEYs5Oo.jpg

[The ATX]

This officially opens for business Monday morning.

https://www.austin360.com/entertainmentlife/20190531/new-sxsw-center-downtown-will-open-next-week-with-southbites-cafe

[MichaelB]

There will be a restaurant and coffee bar from the good folks at "Pink Avacado'!!