[QUOTE=wwmiv;6016597]Another good bit of news today:

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_D...ndbreaking.php

And a new rendering, which honestly makes this look like a great project:

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_D...ng_lg_lg_1.jpg

I respectfully disagree. The Ovation tower would have been much more of an aesthetic feature in Austin's developing skyline!!! The current design is for a short, stubby, un-inspired little building with minute architectural value.

[QUOTE=GoldenBoot;6022537]Agreed! But I don't believe this is where Ovation was going to be built.

^It's not. Ovation was for the other side of the block. It actually could still be built if Novare decided to.

And Ovation would have been one of our nicest buildings. It's one of the ones that hurts the most not seeing it happen. It would have been a beautiful building.

I think something is still going in there around 2015. The developer told me that last year.

From March 3, 2012
http://wilbsnodgrassiii.smugmug.com/...8157%29-X3.jpg

http://www.kvue.com/home/Austin-join...192094341.html
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http://www.statesman.com/news/sports...-olympi/nWTxX/

Speaking of the W I wonder if they have any leads in weather what retailer's will be occupying the northeast corner of the building?

I think it would be a big mistake if the developers didn't put any ground floor retail at the bottom.

Cirrus Logic Expansion
 

I've said this before, I think no other building downtown has integrated into its surroundings as well as the Cirrus Logic headquarters has. In light of that, the story as reported by the Statesman today is exciting news.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...usland-/nWTtT/

A big giant ugly STARFUCKS. This has been confirmed. It's such a huggggge slap in the face to all the local coffee shops that waited patiently for the W to open in hopes of getting way more business. Having worked at several of the coffee spots on 2nd (and violet crown) this is very crappy news.

I love Starbucks. I'm fine with it.

Not when you have Medici, Houndstooth, Jo's, Juan Pelota, and A-Java all in a 5 block radius. I can think of so many more useful things that could've gone into that spot. Totally idiotic.

Fortunately, I think there's enough loyalty to the local places that everything should even out...plus I love Starbucks too. I feel like that happens when a city further urbanizes. You want big buildings, the chains follow.

...also, really is nobody going to comment on the Olympic bid thing? :rolleyes:

Olympics -- Austin -- 2024 :cool:

Of all the cities in Texas, Austin has the most pre-existing facilities that are usable in an Olympic Bid. We, for instance, have an Olympic sized swimming pool centrally located. I'm not sure any of the other cities invited to bid in Texas do.

I honestly think Tulsa will get the USOC endorsement for 2024, though, given the symbolic nature of their bid and the idea to have the theme be Native American and the torch relay come in along parts of the Trail of Tears.

Of the 35 U.S. cities to get the invite to participate in the IOC road trip around the world I vote for Detroit.

It's far-fetched, but suppose Austin did win the bid for the 2024 Olympics. What impact would that have? For one thing, it would cement Austin's reputation as a distinguished city, placing us alongside the likes of Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, and Rio De Janeiro. That may sound absurd. But think about Atlanta. They were a big city back in 1996, but nowhere on par with those other cities. The best thing about American cities is that we're advanced. No sprawling slums. Our infrastructure isn't bad. It may be highly suburban, but that's not as bad of a problem as some that Rio might face.

It would spur development of an Olympic park (the state government would go crazy on this and manage a lot of the details, probably provide a lot of the funding). It would increase demand for hotels, entertainment. It would say to developers and lenders that Austin is a safe bet. A lot of projects that are teetering on the edge of possibility would be pushed over the top and get built. It would be huge. The entire world watching our city, the heart of Texas.

It won't happen, but it's fun to dream. :tup:

The one thing we have going for us is amble room to build relatively close to the city.

How did Starbucks end up getting that spot on none other than the W? Why didn't the community lobby against it the way its done here in San Francisco like the Mission where there are zero starbucks? Its going to take business away from all the other coffee shops if people are seriously head over heels for Starbucks. Its bad for neighborhoods. I don't understand how people can't see that. It's like Wal Mart, or McDonald's for coffee. If you like disgusting coffee drinks go get yourself a Turbo at Jo's Hot Coffee. At least its more tasty than anything you'll ever have at Starbucks AND your adding to the local economy. After all, isn't that what Austin is about?

Wow that sucks. We do not need another Starbucks downtown.

yup.... agreed.

I will add that I do visit the Devil Woman from time to time..... but even if you were going corporate, I'm surprised the W settled for the 'bucks.