WOW!

So, the tiny little Rainey District of downtown Austin may have 8 buildings over 400’ tall!

98 Red River – 1,022’
Travis II – 704’
90 Rainey – 602’
Travis I – 594’
44 East – 573’
River Street Residences – 572’
84 East – 455’

Plus, 99 Red River – the 36+ story office tower planned to accompany the 99 Red River supertall. This will easily be over 500’ as an office tower.

Sweet!


EDIT: 9? Isn't 70 Rainey over 400'?

Am I the only one thinking these buildings are ruining the charm of the Rainey Street district?

Not at all. Theres a big push to preserve Rainey St., but in all honesty it's already too late. Austin, for better or for worse, is at the beginning of a massive city-wide explosion in growth and development. The "weird" is going to have to set up show in another Texas city. Hopefully a smaller town with a main-street so as to create little day trip destinations.

I like the darker color than the old design, but I thought the old one was more original. I guess this will complement 44 East nicely. They'll be nearly the same color and texture. It looks like they added some floors to the parking garage/podium. After I saved the new renderings Urbannizer posted, I was flipping through them in that folder. The podium jumped up as I clicked from the old design to the new one. The overall height of the tower didn't change.

And I guess this no longer contains the Container Bar, at least, I see no containers contained within it. :D

I still like the old design, though. I suppose I'll be happy with either one, but the old one was something different. This newer design is more of the same of 44 East, and the two Hanover towers.

https://i.imgur.com/9rgmEnu.jpg

I'm just ready for the IHOP site to get redeveloped. I know Palm School isn't going anywhere - and honestly, it's a cool old building with a lot of history. The IHOP plot and the one immediately to the west of it are begging to be redone. Those will help the Rainey District tie into downtown a lot more.

I agree, that ihop has got to go!

I'm fine with it taking a first-floor spot once a tower is done. :)

The only good thing about ihop is tha tthey are 24 hours...a surprising rarity for downtown!

Does Austin have anything like Katz' Deli, which was open 24 hours and closed quite a few years ago?

My thoughts exactly. A 24-hour diner is why I'm okay with it.

70 Rainey is 419’

I would love a 24 hour deli downtown.

Are we a river city or a lake city?? Lol! The Nashville thread cracks me up.

I go to the Nashville forum too. Both Nashville and Austin are like siblings. Similar in a lot of ways.

maybe a skinny lake?

Like twins.

They are about as "twin" as Minneapolis and St. Paul.

MARFA! :P Or maybe Fredericksburg? :rolleyes:

Honestly, the fortunate thing about Austin is that there are many districts and areas with these sorts of bungalows and often also already some of those that have been converted to businesses, now that the model is proven. Although I agree that the city-wide explosion of growth is about to go from a steam to a boil, I'd wager these charming sort of bars and restaurants are set to pop on main drags all over the city, until maybe eventually they are all redeveloped. Fortunately there are certainly already protected historical neighborhoods that will be able to play host to these in the long term.

To me, Rainey was the test strip that proved these conversions have appeal. I expect them to pop up all over the place before they disappear for good.

I think Austin will still have weird elements but the fact is we are no longer a small weird college town.

Here's another rendering of the 1,022' 98 Red River tower:

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