Quote:
Originally Posted by Tech House
Random question: What's the average life expectancy for the type of typical highrise currently being built in Austin? Those 400-footers that are popping up like mushrooms after the rain, how long are they reasonably expected to stay in use? Everything that rises eventually falls. I look at all that concrete and steel and it got me wondering... My guess, without googling it, is around 100 years. Not that the buildings would collapse at that point, but that they're expected to be in reasonably good, sound condition for that long, provided they receive adequate maintenance. Am I in the ball park?
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Austin's two oldest highrises are The Littllefield Building and The Scarbrough Building, both built in 1910 (105 years old) and they are in great shape. Norwood Tower was built in 1929 (86 years old). Those are pretty young compared to some of the buildings on the east coast. Once a building gets historical designation, it isn't going anywhere regardless of how old it gets unless it becomes structurally unsound. A glass and steel box is not likely to get historical designation but who knows what the world will be like 100 years from now?
