That would be highly subjective. Why only 20 stories?

Most of Austin's residential towers are taller than 20 stories.

Just the size I am interested in seeing cool examples of. What works architecturally on a taller building is going to differ, so that is why I specified.

The only residential buildings I can think of around 20 stories are The Shore and The Skyhouse, although there may be some in West Campus that I'm forgetting.

I really like the 360 tower personally. You would know the general design as Atlanta has the original design. Had it not been for a CVC that partially covers the lot, our 360 would be an exact replica. Instead it was altered and the height built to 44 floors instead of 26. I'm not a fan of cookie cutter highrises (Skyhouse) which seems every other city is getting. I'm glad that the 360 tower became unique in that respect.

360 and the W are probably my favorites among the new ones in the last 6 years, followed by the Frost Bank Tower.

I like the W because it's just this big dark slab of a building that has a certain mysterious quality about it. That theme is carried over even more so at night by not having any accent lighting. Except for the geometry, it's Austin's Fountain Place in the way that it stands out and is sort of mysterious and different. My only gripe with it is the base of it along 3rd Street. The color, the materials, the windows and poor interaction with the street leave me wishing they had done more.

The Frost Bank Tower is no doubt an Austin icon now. It doesn't even need to be very tall to remain our signature tower. The first time I actually paid attention to that Matthew Mcconaughey Lincoln commercial, it wasn't perfectly clear it was filmed in Austin until the Frost Bank Tower made an appearance. The lighting of it is spectacular and is really a beacon for downtown from afar. My only gripe with it is I wish it was wrapped with retail and wasn't so squatty.

360 Condominiums really has to be my favorite new building. It's just good from top to bottom. The lighting design is prefect for the building, though, I do wish they had lit "all" of the spire. The glass, limestone panels, the color, the emphasis on its vertical shape. Most of all, though, the detail of the building is really good. If you've ever studied it they really did a good job disguising the garage section. It easily has the most attractive garage of any of our buildings. It also contributes a good bit to the street.

After that I would of course have to say The Austonian just because of its height. I like the color of it, too, it is rather modern with the subdued colors. I like that it takes on a different shape from different angles. My gripes with it is that the base sometimes doesn't look like it belongs with the rest of the building. The top sometimes looks funny, too, but it isn't horrible. It just isn't a "great" crown for being our tallest. I also wish the lighting was a little more dramatic.

I have to agree, Kev. I think the Austonian would look so much better if they had the middle part lit up all the time....not sure why they don't do that anymore.

I'm guessing the exterior lighting might cast light into the condos at night which I imagine the residents might object to. I agree about the crown.

On my way to work this morning
 

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/...f1492a74_h.jpgAustin 22nd 2014 by texdaniel, on Flickrhttps://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/...a58482e3_h.jpgAustin 22nd 2014 by texdaniel, on Flickr

Totally agree Kev. Also the florescent lighting inside the fitness center on the 56th floor kills the "crown" area at night!:yuck:

I meant the frosted glass in the crescent on the very top. I can't imagine residents can see that.

Photos from the Hotel Indigo site, on Red River across from Stubbs.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/...8a336105_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/...aa7e3ed6_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/...e0ece30a_c.jpg

I just saw the new Lincoln commercial with Matthew McConaughey and there is a nice view of the Austin skyline at the end.

Portion of Auditorium Shores could get name change

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/266...et-name-change

This is something you'd never expect. You take for granted that the name of Auditorium Shores will always be called Auditorium Shores. But this goes to show that you never know what ways things are going to change.

The long version of that commercial is posted somewhere in the Austin sub-forum. It's pretty cool for a commercial.

• Video Link

Here's my latest list of Austin's tallest projects. I've included every building that I know of that is 100' and/or 10 stories. There are some Travis County and University of Texas buildings that may be 100', but I don't have their height information.

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/...25-14Page1.png
http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/...25-14Page2.png

A couple of recent shots.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...230ecc3f8a425b

The Marriot from my office.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...ba72b606d82bdb

The Colorado St. Tower from 2nd Street intersection.

I gotta say, I'm liking the contrasting colors of the JW Marriott. I wouldn't have thought that would look good - that it would look too busy, but that really goes together well. I'm really interested to see how they'll light it.

I'm very interested to see how they will light it as well. It doesn't seem like they'll have a whole lot of options. It would be nice to see all those silver lines against the glass light up.

Seven

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/...e64b4dbe_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/...7e79d933_b.jpg

Cirrus Logic Expansion

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/...99a54f8a_b.jpg

Capitol Commons

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3881/...3a6cbe27_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3889/...561e6282_b.jpg

Villas on 26th (West Campus)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/...278d0398_b.jpg

West Campus

Pointe on Rio: This project will not be complete by the Oct. 15th target date. Students were originally scheduled to move in by Sep 15th.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/...de7241d9_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/...2ba28dca_b.jpg

Crest at Pearl: Finishing touches, students have moved in.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/...2c77d214_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/...8345f8f6_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/...f9970320_b.jpg