From the Independent webcam:
Having watched this view change dramatically over the past 10 years, or so, I have to say that I have mixed feelings about the current state of Austin's "west end."
In terms of the number and size of buildings, I'm very impressed. Even as slow as it seems that it can take to go from rumors to speculation to the first renderings to the often painful revision and approval process to site preparation to ground breaking to the first concrete pour to the first above ground floor to the months of construction to first appearance of glass/finish to topping out, to the cranes coming down and, ultimately, to finally opening, you have to admit that few places outside of China and UAE have seen such transformative growth in comparable periods of time.
However, in terms of what was actually built vs. what might have been, I have to say that I'm somewhat disappointed. Plateau effect aside, the overall lack of creativity, aesthetics, and bold design leave me thinking that Austin deserved something more - something better.
I don't want to say that nothing good has been built - I'm especially happy that the Independent's builders and designers were able to break out of the "blue glass rectangle" mold. And I know that more - and, hopefully, better - buildings are on the way. I hope that the developers and designers of those buildings are inspired by what has come so far - not so much by what has been built but by what has not been built.
I would love to hear what the rest of you veteran contributors think about the way things are shaping up in that part of downtown.