Austin - The CVC Effect

[JACKinBeantown]

Please post photos that show how the Capitol View Corridors are shaping the city's skyline.

It all starts with a great photo by corvairkeith. :cheers:

Today

https://i.imgur.com/TdPwD2e.jpg

[corvairkeith]

I've often wondered how the CVCs appear when viewed looking out of the Capitol dome.

[drummer]

I've often wondered how the CVCs appear when viewed looking out of the Capitol dome.

That would be an interesting view. Maybe we can encourage Christopher Sherman (?) from OverAustin to fly around and take shots in different directions. Or anyone else with a drone who could get necessary permissions to fly over the Capitol (I'm assuming you'd need permission for that).

I will add, however, that it might not be as striking since there's no focal point (i.e., dome) in the other directions. Not until there's a lot more density at least.

[JACKinBeantown]

All the apartments along a CVC will be guaranteed unobstructed views for life. I'm looking froward to whatever anyone can post.

Here's an example (that's already old) from the 600 Guadalupe thread. Especially from 773 feet looking southwest.
http://panowings.com/folders/600guadalupe/

[Sigaven]

The one thing obstructing the Lamar Bridge CVC is the cooling tower on top of the Faulk library....i wish they'd move that thing

[JACKinBeantown]

The one thing obstructing the Lamar Bridge CVC is the cooling tower on top of the Faulk library....i wish they'd move that thing

Got a picture? :)

[Sigaven]

Got a picture? :)

You can see it in the above pic - it's covering up a small portion of the dome on the lower left side. I know, it's a small thing...but it's irritating!

[JACKinBeantown]

Yeah, I see it. I wouldn't have noticed it, but now I can't unsee it.

[Jdawgboy]

The picture really shows the potential of what the CVCs will do for the city but I don't think there is another view quite that dense yet. Give it another 5 to 10 years then we should have more.

[architeckton]

That would be an interesting view. Maybe we can encourage Christopher Sherman (?) from OverAustin to fly around and take shots in different directions. Or anyone else with a drone who could get necessary permissions to fly over the Capitol (I'm assuming you'd need permission for that).

I will add, however, that it might not be as striking since there's no focal point (i.e., dome) in the other directions. Not until there's a lot more density at least.

They haven't let him fly in the Capitol Complex since October 2015. You can do it, but you have to request permission through two state agencies who haven't given out flying rights since the drone prohibition at the Complex was enacted.

[drummer]

They haven't let him fly in the Capitol Complex since October 2015. You can do it, but you have to request permission through two state agencies who haven't given out flying rights since the drone prohibition at the Complex was enacted.

Bummer. Silly red tape.

[JACKinBeantown]

The ATX posted this CVC map in a new thread. For some reason I couldn't quote it, but I'm giving him/her the credit for it now.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1OmWNgmriRu9gDHuwrrVaRxb03W8&hl=en_US&ll=30.2645045188549%2C-97.74108589853518&z=15

[drummer]

The ATX posted this CVC map in a new thread. For some reason I couldn't quote it, but I'm giving him/her the credit for it now.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1OmWNgmriRu9gDHuwrrVaRxb03W8&hl=en_US&ll=30.2645045188549%2C-97.74108589853518&z=15

To further the spirit of giving credit, the map is wwmiv's creation (which ATX said in the other post).



And when looking at the map again, I'm going to bring up my opinion that West Campus should have no height limit whatsoever. None of the CVCs go over there and the density that is already there proves a demand. Its proximity to downtown and lack of nimby neighborhoods (relatively speaking) make it prime for expansion of CBD-style buildings. Obviously the downtown area isn't maxed out yet, but taking the limitations off of West Campus can help to create a fairly seamless pattern of development between CBD, the Capitol Complex, and West Campus. I know others have stated this before, but I just wanted to bring it up again.

I'm still curious as to how the CVCs on the eastern portion of downtown will be affected if/when I-35 is lowered and/or buried. Will those for relevant parts of I-35 just go away?

When considering the CVC effect, it doesn't seem like the eastern side of downtown will have much of one, relatively speaking (especially when compared to Barton Creek Pedestrian Bridge, Lamar Bridge, and South Lamar at La Casa CVCs). Those on the western side truly affect the shape of buildings while allowing a fair amount of height in between them. The eastern side has so many CVCs that it just forces a plateau, with the exception of a very small number of spots.

[JACKinBeantown]

To further the spirit of giving credit, the map is wwmiv's creation (which ATX said in the other post).



Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I was on the train from NYC to Boston at the time and the wifi was dodgy, so it messed up my posting mojo.

CVC 5 is the one with the most impact to date. I'm looking forward to the effect CVC 8 will have (the one just west of Congress). It's a skinny one, so when it starts to show it will be this narrow sliver view of the dome between all the buildings. That will be cool.

[loonytoony]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I was on the train from NYC to Boston at the time and the wifi was dodgy, so it messed up my posting mojo.

CVC 5 is the one with the most impact to date. I'm looking forward to the effect CVC 8 will have (the one just west of Congress). It's a skinny one, so when it starts to show it will be this narrow sliver view of the dome between all the buildings. That will be cool.

You can see the beginnings of CVC 8 by looking at 360 and IBC. 360's northern end was capped at 17 floors due to CVC 8, and the same with IBC's height. This one may not be as noticeable from the ground as CVC 5 though given it's (taller) height.

[JACKinBeantown]

10/29

https://i.imgur.com/CR4FF1a.jpg

The top of the overpass isn't part of a CVC, but Kevin got a nice shot of the dome. You can see the CVC effect shaping the western part of downtown in his photo (if you know what to look for).

[JACKinBeantown]

Some nice panos by corvairkeith in the Photos & Videos thread.

A few panos from this afternoon

https://i.imgur.com/G1q3dPO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GYLZ7Js.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

That view is really shaping up to be something iconic. Keith's second photo there is almost like a perspective drawing stepping down to the focal point of the subject (the Capitol dome).

[Jdawgboy]

Now we just need to have the other side behind the Independent fill in. 608 Guadalupe would make up part of the wall of buildings from that perspective I would think.

[JACKinBeantown]

Now we just need to have the other side behind the Independent fill in. 608 Guadalupe would make up part of the wall of buildings from that perspective I would think.

608 Guadalupe will definitely add to the effect.

http://i.imgur.com/APNpKsd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/APNpKsd.jpg

[Riverranchdrone]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4558/27000865879_4df254a7ac_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H8YuJk)dwtwn (10 of 11) (https://flic.kr/p/H8YuJk) by partyboyrrock (https://www.flickr.com/photos/11086294@N06/), on Flickr

[KevinFromTexas]

That's really turning into one of my favorite views around downtown. It really kind of hits you as you cross the Lamar bridge and realize all the buildings are stepping away from the Capitol.

[drummer]

That's really turning into one of my favorite views around downtown. It really kind of hits you as you cross the Lamar bridge and realize all the buildings are stepping away from the Capitol.

I agree, and that's definitely my favorite CVC by far.

Great photo, Riverranchdrone!

[JACKinBeantown]

Nice photo! It also shows how that once tired cargo train route is getting an awesome skyline view.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally posted by The ATX in the Independent thread last week. The photo shows the CVC Effect quite clearly.



https://lintvkxan.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/syd_independent2.jpg

[JACKinBeantown]

Another CVC effect aside from the corridors of view is the angled shapes of so many buildings. It will continue to give Austin buildings a certain look, and it will allow for unblocked views from the "sliced" walls in those buildings for the rest of time.

From myBrain in the 600 Guadalupe thread:

This is interesting:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcV-qdxDKeY/?taken-by=blume_george
https://i.imgur.com/vWJx5Oh.jpg

[corvairkeith]

An East Austin CVC starting to take shape.

https://i.imgur.com/jph5XJk.jpg

[drummer]

^ Nice!

[JACKinBeantown]

Awesome shots and a great find by Kevin in the photos & video thread. The first one really shows the impact of CVCs 5 & 8 on the building design in that area. Also, the shadows at the time of the photo line up perfectly to enhance the effect.

This first one shows how the new high rises in West Campus have impacted that neighborhood (west of UT).

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4577/38613865672_739e5a889b_k.jpg
SPEAROFTHOR - https://www.flickr.com/photos/spear_of_thor/38613865672/sizes/k/

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4574/38589894376_e1dcc3f900_k.jpg
SPEAROFTHO - https://www.flickr.com/photos/spear_of_thor/38589894376/sizes/k/

[corvairkeith]

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

https://i.imgur.com/67HzsMz.jpg

[KevinFromTexas]

I wonder if we might see something northeast of the Independent that could help enhance this view the way that 5th & West has on the other side of the corridor.

I looked up that corridor and sight line - I believe we'd have to see something go up on the ABC Bank building block. That tiny 5-story building that sits under that corridor. Maybe if they put the tower on the east side of their lot/block it would be visible here. I also think whatever happens north of the Laredo National Bank Building would show up here. The only other option here is the 600 Guadalupe Tower, but it only be on the extreme east side of its block - so it might not peek over The Independent, and is too far east to show up here without doing so. The block west of that one would be visible here.

In that first photo you can also see the top of the Ernest O. Thompson state office building. If the on the south side of that block ever gets redeveloped, a tower there would likely show up here in front of that building. Also, the garage at 8th & Guadalupe site would likely be visible here. Also, the block at 9th & Guadalupe would be visible here, but half of that block is affected by a corridor.

[IluvATX]

I wonder if we might see something northeast of the Independent that could help enhance this view the way that 5th & West has on the other side of the corridor.

I looked up that corridor and sight line - I believe we'd have to see something go up on the ABC Bank building block. That tiny 5-story building that sits under that corridor. Maybe if they put the tower on the east side of their lot/block it would be visible here. I also think whatever happens north of the Laredo National Bank Building would show up here. The only other option here is the 600 Guadalupe Tower, but it only be on the extreme east side of its block - so it might not peek over The Independent, and is too far east to show up here without doing so. The block west of that one would be visible here.

In that first photo you can also see the top of the Ernest O. Thompson state office building. If the on the south side of that block ever gets redeveloped, a tower there would likely show up here in front of that building. Also, the garage at 8th & Guadalupe site would likely be visible here. Also, the block at 9th & Guadalupe would be visible here, but half of that block is affected by a corridor.
Using that antenna but trader joes for reference, I don't think anything on the east side would show up at that angle. I believe it's too steep of an angle an you'd have to move picture left and out of CVC to see anything on that sight line.

[Armybrat]

Here is a repost of the photo I took in 1959 on a Saturday (midday) at I-35 & Elmhurst Drive, looking north at the Riverside bridge. Photobucket dumped my original post from several years ago, so please pardon the bad iPhone 5 picture of an old photo. A few of you may remember it.

Anyway, a few years after that date the USPS built it's central post office on East 8th Street along with the federal office building, which wiped out this beautiful view of the Capitol for those driving up from San Antonio. Just the very top of the dome & Lady Liberty were left visible after that ill-advised construction.

Cousin Joann no longer looks the same either as she is now 77. :(

http://image.ibb.co/jivcmS/EDC29_A72_E435_44_F1_8_DFF_20_CCF108632_A.jpg

[urbancore]

Cousin JoJo. Next time you see her. Tell her I said she was a looker.

[IluvATX]

It'd be neat to see a current photo from that view.

[JACKinBeantown]

This map is great, but can it be made to include Google's satellite/3D view?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1OmWNgmriRu9gDHuwrrVaRxb03W8&hl=en_US&ll=30.2645045188549%2C-97.74108589853518&z=15

[wwmiv]

This map is great, but can it be made to include Google's satellite/3D view?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1OmWNgmriRu9gDHuwrrVaRxb03W8&hl=en_US&ll=30.2645045188549%2C-97.74108589853518&z=15

I changed the background to be satellite view, but the current program does not allow the 3D imagery. I'd have to recreate the entire map from scratch in a different program for that.

[JACKinBeantown]

Awesome. Thanks!

[JACKinBeantown]

Great shots:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4632/39348322254_c31e39829f_h.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4707/39348303104_1811982395_h.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127338562@N08

[JACKinBeantown]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2698417,-97.7531291,3a,75y,57.46h,103.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqHnbezWb8dgnuPhlzmC1Hw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I hope somebody else finds this thread interesting. I do. Especially as time goes on and more buildings go up. There are still plenty of parcels, either with parking lots or unimportant things that could get razed to make way for taller buildings. Plus, the forever view is a good selling point for developers.

[JACKinBeantown]

It goes both ways.

From today's Statesman

https://www.statesman.com/rf/image_lowres/Pub/p9/Statesman/2018/04/05/Videos/4363437.vpx

https://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/austin-city-taxes-fees-expected-hit-032-for-average-homeowner/MH55iblnXuWffOG5xaL5QO/

[JACKinBeantown]

Would someone with a drone like to get some fly-through shots between the buildings of the CVCs? That would make for some cool footage.

[Riverranchdrone]

Would someone with a drone like to get some fly-through shots between the buildings of the CVCs? That would make for some cool footage.

I kinda of did that alittle bit in this video
pvrjB45p7Vc
I would like to do more. My Mavic Air doesnt have a lot of range though and the metal in the buildings give a lot of interference.

[Mopacs]

I kinda of did that alittle bit in this video
pvrjB45p7Vc
I would like to do more. My Mavic Air doesnt have a lot of range though and the metal in the buildings give a lot of interference.

Stunning! Great video. Just bought an entry level Mini 2. Was kind of shocked how good it is, including the ocusync transmission system. Had spotty signal performance downtown as well but not complaining for the price.

[JACKinBeantown]

^^ Nice!