AUSTIN | Millennium Rainey | 99 FEET | 8 FLOORS | Complete
 

More high-rises could be headed to downtown Austin's southeastern edge, with a local developer envisioning two towers in the Rainey Street area that each could reach as tall as 50 stories.

The Sutton Co. wants to build the project on about two acres it has under contract bounded by Rainey and Driskill streets and East Avenue. The development would continue the transformation of a part of downtown where a new nightlife scene has emerged with the addition of numerous bars and restaurants.

Together, the towers could have as many as 800 to 1,000 apartment and condominium units, along with hotel rooms in the first tower to break ground, said Mac Pike, a principal — along with Wally Scott — in the Sutton Co. The first tower, which Pike estimated would cost $75 million to $100 million to build, is at least a year to 18 months from breaking ground and would require a number of city approvals, he said.

http://www.statesman.com/multimedia/...y_1440262c.jpg

http://www.statesman.com/business/re...s-2311367.html

Very Nice!

Where will the bars go?
 

http://www.statesman.com/multimedia/...e_1440416c.jpg By Robert Clazada ( http://www.statesman.com/business/re...s-2311367.html )

Hello all, my first time posting.

Will they be planning to demolish the bars on the east side of rainey? Or are those all houses still? I'm thinking Icenhauers and the future El Naranjo, in particular. But those might be a bit further south. Thank god it looks like the ihop will be bulldozed.

I'm so glad Rainey is being developed, but man is it a mess. Hopefully all of the parking entrances can be on East Ave.

Sorry to disappoint you, but the IHOP is the building north of the red box. It is located on Cesar Chavez and East Avenue. Icenhauers and El Naranjo and other bars are all located outside the red box also. As you can see,they are going to be building around Luster Pearl, which should be interesting.

I hope that this building can spur the development of sidewalks and other improvements that we on Rainey street have been pushing for years. Also, I completely agree with you in hoping that the major parking entrance is on East Avenue. The city really needs stop delaying and develop a real comprehensive plan for dealing with growth and traffic in this area. As of now, there is no way the Rainey area can handle the traffic this project and Skyhouse will generate. It barely works now...

What I really hope for is that the city considers moving part of its urban rail network to directly serve Rainey street. With ~3000 potential residents in this area, it looks to be developing into easily the densest residential area downtown.

That's an understatement. Some of these idiots come thru here at 45mph on a regular basis. The street has parking on both sides, if car door was to be opened, it would get taken off. Pedestrians are all over the place and they drive thru recklessly until someone gets killed. One even flipped upside down a while back.

Where would the stop be?

Looking forward to it

Rainey Center
 

It looks like it officially has a name now.

This says both towers could be up to 50 floors. And they'll be standing about 300 feet away from the 50-story Fairmont Austin (hotel).

http://www.statesman.com/business/re...inglePage=true

How much longer are we giving that IHOP at CC and 35?

I hope they do get rid of that IHOP. That is a prime location for a great development and could have a fair amount of height as well.

Wasn't this the site where a 30 plus floor Van Zante something or other Hotel / condo was planned, then reduced, and now shelved? Regardless, I'm not holding my breath on this one. Out of all the planned projects, I feel this and the Farmont (formally Grande) are least likely to get built. My reasoning is the timing. By the time they get around to breaking ground, the overall scope of those projects may be too large for the demand once the newer construction nears completion. Anything can happen in the next few years in today's economy, especially in an election year. I'm guessing the Manchester Group is waiting until next year to break ground as a wait and see strategy. But I fear the farther they push out the ground breaking, the least likely it will ever get built. And am I missing something or does 100 mil seem kind of light for a project this big, even for the first phase?

No. The Hotel Van Zandt is still planned. It's planned for the lot immediately north of The Shore. But, it has been chopped to 16 floors and about 180 feet.

And I disagree. The Fairmont Hotel is already listed on their hotel website. Hotels never put up a project on their website unless they're serious about building it. I think once we get closer to Waller Creek being transformed, we'll see an explosion of new projects being planned for the east side of downtown. That and the trail improvements, boathouse and other improvements to the east side of downtown near the water. Developers won't be able to contain themselves. I know I hardly can.

That's what I thought at first, too, but apparently they're wanting to do it in phases. They even said there might be a midrise office building planned with it eventually. They said the first phase would be $75 to $100 million.

I very much disagree about the Fairmont. That already seems like a done deal as Kevin says.

On this project though, I'm with you Genral. I think something big wil be put here, but whatever ends up being built will not be as large or as grand as is currently envisioned.

It is probably an estimate on the construction financing amount. Shonda Novak also indicated that the JW Marriott was a $275MM project. It isn't. It is a $325-$350MM project, of which $275MM has been secured as interim construction financing.

The developers hired Drone Above a couple weeks ago to take an aerial photo of what it would look like from the top of this. Here is the blog on it: http://www.droneabove.com/1/post/201...wn-austin.html

And the image:
http://www.droneabove.com/uploads/5/...14068_orig.jpg
http://www.droneabove.com/1/post/201...wn-austin.html

:previous:

Good find. Hopefully this means they are rapidly moving forward on this. I want to see a couple more of the "big ones" breakground before I get too excited about the new boom.

Well... this won't be popular... but I hope that project does not make. I would prefer to see upper Rainey remain as it is.

You've turned NIMBY lately.

I'm sorry I have to disagree with you on this. I have become a frequent patron to Raniey street as of late and have met people who go there as well as work at the various bars and lounges and from the conversations I've had indicate people are excited to see this project as well as Skyhouse happen. They know it will only help the area more with more residences in the area.

Fact is Rainey Street is now apart of the CBD with unlimited heights. The people in that area know the city changed the zoning for a reason. At this point there should be no argument over what should and what should not be built there.

Me and Kevin have been out there as well discussing Rainey Street and one of the things we observed is despite highrises being nearby, with the large tree canopy you can barely see them and anybody who doesn't pay attention would probably not even notice there were highrises nearby.

Rainey street is a uniquely changing district and I stress changing because it is in transition. The fabric is an interesting blend of turn of the century 1900s houses that are turning into wonderful restaurants, lounges and bars. It is also turning into a great new neighborhood and its because of new residential towers that it is happening.

Rainey Center and Skyhouse will only enhance the area and they wont be the last. I also don't see the point of limiting highrise development only on the lower or southern end of Rainey. It should be spread throughout the district.

The Rainey Street District is one of my favorite up and coming parts of Downtown if not my favorite. I look forward to seeing these towers rise up hopefully soon.

I think these would be wonderful for that area. It will not be replacing anything like the Pearl for example. And what has made that area so attractive is the culture of people who frequent it now are exactly the type these apartment towers would be perfect for. Our I should say, those that would live in these towers are exactly the sort that frequent Rainey. It would be good for the business there IMO.

I wonder how many units these are planned for? For how big they are that could be like 600-800 units. And with the $100m price tag they'll probably be much more affordable than what is currently available in the area, and through out downtown. That is perfect for Rainey! That would be a TON of more affordable housing downtown and boy does DT need that in a bad way. It has become crazy expensive.

The one big thing IMO the city should require them to put the parking entrance and exit on the I-35 frontage road, and NOT on Rainey. It should also require street level retail on Rainey and for the developers to build a sidewalk like what was done on S. Lamar.

Thats funny.

Yeah I am proud downtown NIMBY!

I am just not part of the mindless.... Higher higher higher cry. If I lived on lower Rainey I would fight like hell to keep upper Rainey in tack. It's what gives it flavor!

replace upper rainey with all hight rises and you, once again, have anywhere USA.

Look at th quality and mix that makes an area interesting.

Quality over quantity.

Patience over infill

Great find, but that only puts the height at around 300 to 325 feet judging by the nearby buildings.

And nice angle on the San Jacinto street wall over there.

And I think the redevelopment of Rainey is going to be organic. Don't expect there to be developers just coming in and buying and demoing all the houses. Obviously, some of them are fine as is and can be restored and re-purposed as bars or coffee shops or other small businesses.

It's going to be the houses that are falling apart where the owners are looking for a way out. Have you ever seen the leaning house of Rainey?

I can personally understand what MichaelB is saying. What Rainey St has going on is unique and its all the more unique that its right next to downtown (or is it considered downtown?).
Who knows if it will remain like that forever, I'm partial to it myself. But I can understand both sides of the story. It be nice if they keep it a mix of high rise and what its got going on now. That would help preserve its unique factor to it.

It is officially apart of Downtown and is zoned CBD with no height restrctions, one of the very few areas that Downtown has like that. Im pretty sure that Rainey Center will be a quality development and in an area with no height restrictions, I see no reason why it cant be tall. I look at it from the environmental point of view that a tall structure with a small footprint has less of an environmental impact than a shorter building with a larger footprint.


What the city needs to work on is the road infrastructure. Remove parking completely off Rainey street, create a well designed parking garage or have the new developments require to have public parking spaces. Need better sidewalks as I see that area more of a pedestrian oriented district than car centric. The houses wont be bulldozed over with nothing but highrises, what is evolving is an eclectic mix of original single family homes converted into business and residential highrises rising above a forest of Pecan trees. I think that particular fabric between old and new will stay.

Yeah, I think that's the biggest concern here for guys like MichaelB. Not a lot of people are sure if it will stay the same if mid-rises and high-rises are continually built there. I guess everybody here is in favor of what Rainey St has become... and I'm sure we'd all like for it to stay that way. I personally don't mind height at all. I just also am in favor with what MichaelB is saying that I'd rather have this "quantity over quality" thing that's going on there.

I think the city should define then protect and improve entertainment districts (Rainey, E. 6th St./Red River, Warehouse, etc.) After all the surface parking lots are developed there will be tremendous pressure on club and restaurant owners to sell. Ultimately we could end up with a city full of high rise apartments and condos, but very few cool places to go for fun. People will have to eat at the hotel restaurants.

We need to keep in mind the district is nowhere near finished and there are plenty of lot spaces that can be utilized. It is way too early in the development to say hold up there lets not do a whole lot more. We are nowhere near that point yet. Rainey street needs a lot more work done before it can truly get to its saturation point. It will be several years before that happens. Also consider some of the houses on Rainey are so dilapidated they are literally leaning sideways and others are falling apart. These may not be able to be saved so the opportunity to create a transition style development that will be able to connect the old houses with the highrise residential.

ditto to what jdawg said in his last 2 posts

Here is a photo I took of the leaning house of Rainey Street.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...520552EDIT.jpg

:previous::previous::previous:

Yup, I was there when you took that pic.

I understand and agree about overdoing or overwhelming the district but it has awhile to go before that kind of concern becomes an issue. For now lets let it organically evolve as it has been doing so since they the changed the zoning. I think it will be just fine.

I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures of this area before it changes forever. Despite the condition of the leaning house, I do find it rather charming, and feel preserving it and others like it is essential to maintaining some of the history there. I'm not a tree hugger but it seems to me that if you raze that house and others like it for new development, you would also have to cut down a lot of the trees which I would hate to see. I also wouldn't want to see every house turned into a tavern or restaurant. It would be nice to take a page from Wimberley and have a kind of craft house district where people can sell their art from renovated houses. But I'm sure the value of the land would prevent that from happening which is why eventually everything about the old Rainey will give way to new developments and new people from out of town who could care less about what used to be under the new highrises they live in. I don't know what that business is behind the leaning house, but I don't like it.

Maybe I'll do a photo thread on it. I have to go downtown either tomorrow or Tuesday anyway.

If a building is structurally not sound and if it costs more than its worth than there isn't much that can be done but to tear it down. Not saying that particular house will have to be im just saying its a waste to just leave buildings there just because their old houses. I'd like to see some art galleries and small shops along there and that could be done in a way that would easily tie in with the rest of the district. I also doubt the renovated houses are gonna go anywhere plus I doubt thats what the end result will be, the city will ensure that many of the origional properties wont be replaiced by nothing but highrises.

One sees what one wants to see. Perspective is everything. While a huge fan of construction. I am a bigger fan of design and unique areas , oh, and quality. We are lucky to have Rainey. We are lucky that area of town was delayed in development so we can have this debate. When I first moved here in the late 80s that area extended over to where the convention center is. While I bemoaned for a moment the loss of a favorite watering hole or two, I was in favor of the convention center.

Live in an area like Rainey and you will appreciate more the unique mix that is that area. As far as the leaning house goes. ..... I love it. And yes, the investment in a space like that is totally worth it to the eyes that want to see it work. Hell, look at The old "Liberty Bar/grill" in SA. It was so loved partially because it was leaning.

So. Debate at will. The more "tall" there is downtown, the more people will long for escapes like Rainy. A little forsight might just make that happen.

Remember taller is better from an environmental standpoint. What would you rather have a tall thin structure like the tower formally known as legacy or would you rather have a short stubby low rise building like the Monarch. Between those two buildings, from an environmental standpoint the White slinder tower not only has a smaller carbon footprint, it also doesn't retain heat like its shorter neighbor. When it rains, it produces less water runoff than the Monarch, and most importantly it doesnt cover as much ground. Give me twin 50 story point towers any day over a short stubby midrise in the Rainey Street District. Want to keep the charm, then hope we dont see anymore Monarchs built there.

Oh Jdawg....start laughing now... .cause this is Just kidding...

you will say anything to see a tall building built! You are not an envoirmenatlist.... that is just babble.... you are a size queen! LOL!

Lol if you saw the person I was talking to at the club the other night earlier before we ran into eachother your assumption would be accurate. Lets just say pants were not hiding anything LMAO.

Well I'll throw a bolt into the engine. Shorter buildings do better with green roofs than tall ones. Think about how windy it is atop a 600 foot building versus a 150 foot one. It's harder to have a green roof that high up without all the soil blowing away and shredding the plants to pieces. I remember trying to take pictures atop the Austonian was like standing in a wind tunnel.

True but as you just pointed out how it was at the top of the Austonian, taller buildings are perfect for small wind turbines as well as solar panels. If its a point tower there is not a whole lot of area for a green roof as it is. While really tall buildings are not as ideal for green roofs,I have seen pictures of green roofs with trees on some fairly tall buildings in New York City.

Oh yes, there is a highrise, like 250 to 300 feet tall in Vancouver with a rather large tree on top. The building had a purpose built planter placed on the end of the building on the roof for this tree. It is the craziest thing.

This would be one hell of a way of saving a tree that was growing on a downtown block to be replaced by a highrise.

Here's a photo:
http://www.mylatestobsession.org.uk/2011/07/vancouver

You can find more photos of it. Just Google "Vancouver skyscraper with tree on top"

Mmmmm.... looks like a topping out tree they forgot to take down...it looks unnatural and stupid to me.

That's what I'm saying...convert a block or two into renovated houses where artists can house their galleries of hand made jewelry, blown glass, pottery, crafts, antiques, ect... throw in some coffee shops, sandwich shops whatever and make it another spot to visit dt. The more I consider the possibilities, the less highrise construction I want to see here. I think I could handle tall buildings along the edges though and leave the center green and park like. Shoot, I'm even thinking a zoo would be cool here.

A zoo would be awesome! But there is nowhere with enough space for one that I can think of. Perhaps some of the Seaholm sights might have had the space needed for one, but I can't think of anywhere around Rainey that could. It would be cool there if there were space.

Maybe where the Town Lake Animal Shelter was (Pets Alive! is) and in those fields around there? Or just on the other side of I-35 from Rainey District? Where the health services is and some of those parks? That area is booming right now.

I always envisioned a zoo being located in Zilker Park near Mopac. There is a lot of underutilized space that would be perfect for a big project like a zoo.

6th Street is a pretty big zoo.

@ E7thSt That is an interesting idea. A good area over there would be on the other side of Mopac. In the part of Zilker right there between Mopac and Rollingwood between Rollingwood Dr and Town lake. It is near the botanical guardians. It has a large area with varying elevations that could be used very well. The area is about the same size as the Columbus Zoo and bigger than the Houston Zoo.

@ Hill Country - As is West Campus. lol

I agree with what you are saying and think overall that is the way the city envisions the area with most of the highrises along the edges. In fact if you look at the rendering of the ideal future of Downtown you can clearly see Rainy street as almost a park surrounded by highrises which I think would be awesome. Make Rainey a green pedestrian based thoroughfare or maybe a even a one way street with no parking and wide sidewalks. There is a zoomed in view of the southeast quadrant floating around if somebody would be kind enough to post it since my computer has been acting up been on here using my phone.

By the way as I was just looking for above mentioned rendering I found a map of the Rainey Street District that shows the main stretch a historical landmark district which means nobody has to worry about all those houses disappearing. Yay:banana:

Yeah, really:haha: just saw Anthony Bourdain's SXSW episode of No Reservations and 6th St was like you said...a zoo. Off topic but this is the second time a famous foodie came to town to claim our BBQ the best they ever had...the Man VS Food guy and Bourdain. High praise considering all the places they've eaten.

I sent an email to the Sutton Company, the developer, this was their response.

I'm fine with that. I'd rather have 8 stories in this side of downtown anyway.

I'm disappointed. Two huge towers turns into one small building. Oh well.

8 floors is lame. The parking garages for Austin SkyHouse and Windsor on the Park are already gobbling up land in that area. Not to mention Milago Condominiums is a skyscraper laying on its side. That's one area of downtown where point towers absolutely make sense. Very small lots, very little land, waterfront views with issues of people worried about hulking towers. These buildings probably would have been pretty large, but they were far enough north that they wouldn't have loomed over the lake very much. If they're shooting for 8 floors now, I hope it doesn't happen.