It's going to get two different styles of cladding, one for the Element section and another for the Aloft section.

http://i.imgur.com/yxJpI6G.jpg

It's a little early to say for sure but I think the different materials and colors may help break up the "blank" South facing wall everyone has been freaking out about.

http://i.imgur.com/khg3ne7.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/9Yntjkm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DVs0QG6.jpg

From the first pic, I think the cladding on the right looks more interesting, but I do like the color of the glass to the left.

I'm actually not sure how I feel about the facade. I'm a worried it could look dated in a few years time. I hope I'm wrong. I'm also not so crazy about it looking so similar to the Westin. One is enough in the interest of originality.

I don't think the glass is different colored it's just looks blue because it is reflecting sky. Here is an early rendering of the North side of the building showing the two hotel brands.

http://i.imgur.com/RcjGQ68.png

It's wider looking than I was expecting fronting Congress. That's not a bad thing, just making an observation.

The depression facing south does a lot to break up the wall.

Ugly cladding. Cheap-looking, flimsy, and oddly proportioned fenestration. Not much better than Indigo/Holiday Inn Express. Massing is good though.

If it had to be one facade or the other, I wouldn't choose the Aloft side because those darker grey vertical stripes would drive me to come up with another rant. But combined with the simplicity of the Element side, this building at least looks somewhat unique and interesting.

I personally think this is head and shoulders better than Indigo/Holiday Inn Express. Certainly not the best, but I wouldn't even compare the two beyond the fact that it's two hotels in one building.

I think we will be mostly pleased by the way this one turns out. It's tall and skinny on a small lot, which makes it somewhat interesting and unique for Austin, and it should have a great street presence with the balcony and the other ways that it will interact with pedestrians. At this point it gets a thumbs up from me.

This is my favorite project downtown, mostly because of the dimensions (not another squat box) and the fact that there is NO PARKING GARAGE. Bonus: it doesn't "change the character of my neighborhood" :runaway:

http://i.imgur.com/MhGL9Gch.jpg

From my walk this morning. Starting to be noticeable now from other angles downtown:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8726/2...c567e5cf_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8612/2...a4d9bdd4_c.jpg

8/1

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

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

http://i.imgur.com/SK5ZWTY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4lumSYO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1LPLYc0.jpg

From my office today. Sorry about the finger.

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

In the early zeros my company had a contract with the Driskill Hotel and I would frequent that back alley. From my recollection there were residences with garage doors to that alleyway in the buildings facing congress avenue, also the stench from those dumpsters was atrocious. I use to feel bad for the hotel security who had to man the service entrance 24/7. I wonder if its the same today?

8/6/2016

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

Frost and BoA will be completely hidden from this angle when Aloft tops out. Poor Frost keeps getting blocked out from many different angles. Should have gone taller. Maybe the COA should set up a protective view corridor before its completely gone from view.

Interestingly, the Aloft itself will eventually be blocked from this angle by The Avenue in all its white, garageless glory.

Frost sits on top of a parking garage. Aloft is a legit skyscraper:

http://i.imgur.com/Ux2IKLmh.jpg

(8/3/16)

That is an awesome photo! :cheers:

I second that. Great shot!