I keep reverting back to these photos of Third + Shoal next to that hotel/condo tower, and it's a head-shaker. The condo tower is arguably one of the best-designed I've seen for Austin. Given it's design, it needs greater exposure on the north side. But with the office tower as close as it is, there will be very little natural light for either building on the adjoining sides. It's a shame that Third + Shoal didn't have a west-side step back, similar to the condo.

I know many will argue for density, and I'm all for it, but there should better plans and regulations in place.

On another note, and maybe someone here can confirm this, I was told that the 32-story Aloft Hotel was designed with no windows on the south side, in the event that another tower is built next to it. It'll be a 32-story blank wall.

I've not found any renderings showing a full view of the south side, but I can see a little bit of it in this shot. That may end up being one hell of an eyesore.

http://cdn.whitelodging.com/36128456...19bbcbdf43.jpg

Great shot!

There was a lot of discussion about the south wall in the thread for this project. It's quite obviously the biggest (or only) negative about this project.
I don't know of any plans for a high rise next door, so we may have to look at it for quite a while.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...7&t=1448990899
-

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2015/1...er-park-place/
-

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...ng-to-m/npZZB/

^^ Only three articles on relatively big developments? That's all? Slow month... :)

To sum up yesterday's good news about three projects moving forward, they consist of these five towers:

58-story/688' - Condos
53-story/615' - Condos & Hotel
45-story/525' - Apartments
29-story/387' - Office
26-story/333' - Office

These five alone would classify as a boom in most cities.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...24070226_o.jpg
Photo by JTpics.com - https://www.facebook.com/JTpics/ - Shared by - The Austinot - https://www.facebook.com/theAustinot...type=3&theater

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...97896114_o.jpg
Northshore Austin - https://www.facebook.com/NorthshoreA...type=3&theater

Can someone post like a 1999 skyline shot compared to todays?

I wish the state capitol of Washington (Olympia) was built up like this.

Just wait for the view in about three years. It will be even a bigger difference than this one compared to 1999.

I'm surprised we aren't talking about this (x-posted to Updates, Plaza Saltillo, and East Austin threads):

http://austintowers.net/plaza-saltil...am-to-reality/

Things really have picked up again in the news department.

Speaking of Waller Park Place, I was driving into DT lastnight on Cesar Chavez and noticed they had the far right lane going west bound blocked from Red River to Waller Creek. I'm assuming that they were getting that side prepped but couldn't really tell what was going on exactly. I'll be through there again tonight so I'll try to get a better look if they have that lane blocked off again.

These two are decent comparisons. This first one is from 1997.

This one is from last week.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...24070226_o.jpg
Photo by JTpics.com - Shared by The Austinot - https://www.facebook.com/theAustinot...type=3&theater

Groundbreaking is set for January 11 at 11:45 am.

http://www.kvue.com/story/life/2015/...onth/76646300/
Facebook also had the building listed in their "trending stories" link at the top right today.
https://www.facebook.com/topic/Jenga...48768644927607

:banana:

Screenshots from the KVUE video.

http://i.imgur.com/m23aCWv.jpg

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

Third + Shoal screenshots.

http://i.imgur.com/CVL7Vv7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ag36Z3Y.jpg

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

Here's another recent shot of the skyline from an article in the Austin American-Statesman today about the changing skyline.

http://specials.mystatesman.com/aust...ne_2560-mr.jpg
http://specials.mystatesman.com/austin-skyline/

Seven looks kinda lonely over there by itself.

Some great pictures, just wait in a couple more years!

Seaholm ended up looking badass in those photos!!

http://news.blog.statesman.com/2015/...add-employees/

6th & Nueces Hotel & Condos - 32 floors
 

These renderings were found on an architect's website for a feasibility study.

http://i.imgur.com/ysEeJQE.jpg
http://hsuoffice.com/project/living-tower/

http://i.imgur.com/KNR7xKH.jpg
http://hsuoffice.com/project/living-tower/

It would be very distinctive. I think it would make a good juxtaposition in a skyline view with the independent and other large buildings in that vicinity.

I like this tower, but there are so many large rectangles already in Austin's skyline...this looks like yet another. It's high time they start incorporating some smooth, curviness in some of the upcoming buildings. :)

It isn't just a rectangle... see the discussion about the design here:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=217483

But I do agree. I want something round and lit with LEDs like the Torre Agbar.

Please send some of your developers to Tuscaloosa as a Christmas gift.

Aloft progress, from yesterday

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

Great photo. It really shows just how narrow this building will be.

Block 71

The University of Texas has sent out a RFQ to developers in hopes of redeveloping this block, here is one of the responses:

.

A tower of that height at that location would be a game changing building for the skyline , and it looks like the developer really has a strong history. Ill keep my fingers crossed.

http://kxan.com/2016/01/11/tallest-r...AN_Austin_News

Wonderful news.

Taken today, by me.

Fairmont

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...Render%203.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...Render%204.jpg

Northshore Apartments

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...Render%205.jpg

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...eRender_12.jpg

Thanks, Sic'EmBears! Great photos.

Third + Shoal - 387 fEET - 29 FLOORS
 

This one's slated to break ground this spring.

http://i.imgur.com/r0wHXD5.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SqGZepP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wds0T3m.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/A6OKYUv.jpg

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

70 Rainey - 472 FEET - 35 FLOORS
 

Glad to hear this one is moving forward. I really like it. Plus, it's tall - especially for that area.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...ict-nears.html

I just noticed that we don't have the higher quality Block 71 renderings posted in this thread.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CX6Xs1tU0AA1--Z.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CX6Xs1vUoAAY6e_.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=2710

Austin Proper | 397 FEET | 32 FLOORS
 

The developer bought the land. This says it'll open in 2018.

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...luxury-/np9tk/

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/765/21...58c12efb_b.jpg

If it's opening in 2018, it'll start construction by summer.

In 2018 and beyond this quickly changing view will be a whole lot more impressive...

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/ap...da03e52c21ce6e
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133871...5/24491965965/

An article from the American-Statesman on the redevelopment potential of the Brackenridge Hospital Tract in downtown.

"The development could have as much as 3.7 million square feet of space, and buildings as tall as 35 to 40 stories. Proposed uses include a hotel, housing, restaurants, shops and a new medical office building."

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral

2211 ATX

20-story student housing project proposed for West Campus at 2211 Nueces St. Construction scheduled to commence in July.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1504/2...2ff6b5cb_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1661/2...24cbbaba_b.jpg

I love the changes to Austin's skyline over the past decade I just wish everything wasn't so boxy. The only real architectural gem, the Frost Bank tower, now gets lost.

I, too, wish there were more round and other shapes.

Yeah, like triangles and stuff. Yes, that was sarcasm. I don't think buildings have to be different shapes to be interesting or pleasing to the eye. I'm more concerned with choice of materials, color schemes and how they interact. Ironically some of the stuff going in in West Campus looks pretty good, despite being boxes for students who mostly only care about function and not form.

Oh I love what we have, don't get me wrong! But I am VERY excited with some of the newer buildings that are under construction that are more interesting visually w/r/t the shape: 5th + West and The Independent, for instance. I wish there were just a few more buildings with interesting shapes.

This one is exciting but some little bungalows may put a damper on it.

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

http://i.imgur.com/x9WT4rkh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2WJB6l3h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/id9ESlFh.jpg

Images used courtesy of AustinTowers.net

I really like this one.

Super happy with this project.... and super happy such a fuss is being made over those bungalows. I love the thought of the mix of bungalows and high rises. Such a cool texture.
I think it's a good proposal and a smart answer.
It will make for a unique urban texture.
We are very lucky that Austin bloomed so late and we have these small reminders of what Austin was in the recent past still in place.

The Independent - 690 feet - 58 floors
 

Caissons are being placed. I'd say it's under construction now.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...84443527_o.jpg
The Independent Austin - https://www.facebook.com/independent...type=3&theater