AUSTIN | Waterline | 1,034 Feet | 73 Floors | T/O

[chinchaaa]

i still don't like it. austin has some pretty terrible architecture.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

i still don't like it. austin has some pretty terrible architecture.

Sadly, I won't argue that.....

I just don't see a super-tall when I see photos or walk by. I hate the subway tile double floor effect. That has the be the biggest offender for me. There's no way my eyes see a tower taller than the shard or us bank in LA, even taking out elevation, etc.

The crown leaves much to be desired and seems like they're still waiting to install more features. Nope, that's it, yet again

[HomeInMyShoes]

It's bland. It has some interesting elements and the massing isn't terrible, but it lacks any real appeal. I won't quite agree with Austin having some pretty terrible architecture, but it has a lot of bland and unimaginative. This at least pushes into slightly imaginative, but I don't like the sloped roof which reads like the building is tilting it's head and going "meh" with a bit of a shrug.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Sadly, I won't argue that.....

I just don't see a super-tall when I see photos or walk by. I hate the subway tile double floor effect. That has the be the biggest offender for me. There's no way my eyes see a tower taller than the shard or us bank in LA, even taking out elevation, etc.

The crown leaves much to be desired and seems like they're still waiting to install more features. Nope, that's it, yet again

Unfortunately, this may have a near permanent effect of making our skyline appear shorter that it actually is. Waterline will become a reference point to which all other towers are measured—and since it appears shorter than it actually is, ALL other towers will.

Even if we get another super tall or two, this effect will likely affect those as well (making them seem “not super tall” as well).

HORRIBLE choice if the goal is to have the biggest most impressive [skyline] of all the cities.

[J78704]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Sadly, I won't argue that.....

I just don't see a super-tall when I see photos or walk by. I hate the subway tile double floor effect. That has the be the biggest offender for me. There's no way my eyes see a tower taller than the shard or us bank in LA, even taking out elevation, etc.

The crown leaves much to be desired and seems like they're still waiting to install more features. Nope, that's it, yet again

It’s very Not-Bad. I’m glad we have it. Cheers to the next round of high rises.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

i still don't like it. austin has some pretty terrible architecture.

All the blame for that should be placed on the developers themselves. They have the choice.

[Echostatic]

I think you have to compare it to the other recently built US towers in its height class. Sure, compared to the supertalls of the 80s it's not as dignified and maybe it doesn't look quite as tall. But I don't think the alternative design would have been something like that, it just would have been a glass monolith. The design we got is certainly more interesting than a comparable 1000 foot wall of glass. I like Waterline more than something like 35 Hudson Yards, the Manhattan West buildings, Philly's Comcast towers, or that god-awful thing they're building in Miami. We were never going to get something truly refined... this is a hell of a lot better looking than 6XG!

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

I think you have to compare it to the other recently built US towers in its height class. Sure, compared to the supertalls of the 80s it's not as dignified and maybe it doesn't look quite as tall. But I don't think the alternative design would have been something like that, it just would have been a glass monolith. The design we got is certainly more interesting than a comparable 1000 foot wall of glass. I like Waterline more than something like 35 Hudson Yards, the Manhattan West buildings, Philly's Comcast towers, or that god-awful thing they're building in Miami. We were never going to get something truly refined... this is a hell of a lot better looking than 6XG!

I agree with you on 6XG--that building is a total and complete disaster.

It feels like the developers or KPF were like "let's VE this to nothing, but let's make it wEIrD lIke aUsTin!!".

I was originally thrilled with the googie-retro-style look of early renders, but the finished product doesn't convey that whatsoever.

[Armybrat]

Picky picky picky……

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Picky picky picky……

[gillynova]

I like it and it's a nice change of high rises from the others in Austin. Everything new is just plain "blue" and I like how it has white outlines.

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Do you guys seriously prefer JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston or this? I very much prefer Waterline and I'm grateful Austin even has something over 1000' tall

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by gillynova

I like it and it's a nice change of high rises from the others in Austin. Everything new is just plain "blue" and I like how it has white outlines.

-
Do you guys seriously prefer JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston or this? I very much prefer Waterline and I'm grateful Austin even has something over 1000' tall

they both aren't great. i don't hate waterline, but the proportions feel very weird to me and the crown is pretty horrendous.

[wwmiv]

Here’s a list of built or under construction American supertalls that are IMO worse:

The Torch (NYC)

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

I think you have to compare it to the other recently built US towers in its height class. Sure, compared to the supertalls of the 80s it's not as dignified and maybe it doesn't look quite as tall. But I don't think the alternative design would have been something like that, it just would have been a glass monolith. The design we got is certainly more interesting than a comparable 1000 foot wall of glass. I like Waterline more than something like 35 Hudson Yards, the Manhattan West buildings, Philly's Comcast towers, or that god-awful thing they're building in Miami. We were never going to get something truly refined... this is a hell of a lot better looking than 6XG!

Comcast tower is so awful I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea. It looks nice from ONE side but the rest is absolutely hideous.

[Armybrat]

The crown reminds me of a 1960s Dairy Queen.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by gillynova

Do you guys seriously prefer JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston or this? I very much prefer Waterline and I'm grateful Austin even has something over 1000' tall

I'm sorry, Gilly, but omg 1000000% yes. JP Morgan Chase is iconic and has big international city written all over it. It doesn't have a massive podium shrinking its appearance, or even an attached garage that I'm aware of. Hell, it even has an observation level for the public.

I do love that we have the height, but that's about it for me.

[gillynova]

@ahealy, I'll look at it again next time I'm in Houston! Might be going next month and for sure in April.

[gillynova]

[urbancore]

I like it. Don't LOVE it. I think crowns are overrated...even on Royalty. Often ostentatious, or even worse, poor VE ostentatious....which is sad.

Waterline addresses Waller Creek, Rainey St, DT, and LBL ( so far as I've seen) in a respectful, elegant way. Waterline's "crown" doesn't say anything. Much like the building doesn't say much. It's near impossible to build a building to satisfy the needs of residential, hotelier (high end), retail, and office space.....but most of all the developers and bankers. If they don't make $, this never gets built. Waterline is getting work done for all those who will live, work, visit, dine there, and that has to be a tall order for the design team.....keeping in mind the bottom line of their clients.

I bet once we all tour the finished product, we will fall in love. It's not flashy, but neither is Austin. Not sure I would ever want an 80's style icon building in Austin. I'd rather have a Lake-Flato masterpiece or something similar that promotes "Austin's" casual elegance. Austin is comfortable.....you feel at ease wearing whatever you want, wherever you go...for the most part.

Lastly, I'll say it again, the only way we will EVER get a masterpiece is when a company builds a statement building (price be damned) or condo prices approach $2k/ft. Those projects demand high design.

Till then, I'm quite happy with what we have....though 6G is pretty bad.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by urbancore

I like it. Don't LOVE it. I think crowns are overrated...even on Royalty. Often ostentatious, or even worse, poor VE ostentatious....which is sad.

Waterline addresses Waller Creek, Rainey St, DT, and LBL ( so far as I've seen) in a respectful, elegant way. Waterline's "crown" doesn't say anything. Much like the building doesn't say much. It's near impossible to build a building to satisfy the needs of residential, hotelier (high end), retail, and office space.....but most of all the developers and bankers. If they don't make $, this never gets built. Waterline is getting work done for all those who will live, work, visit, dine there, and that has to be a tall order for the design team.....keeping in mind the bottom line of their clients.

I bet once we all tour the finished product, we will fall in love. It's not flashy, but neither is Austin. Not sure I would ever want an 80's style icon building in Austin. I'd rather have a Lake-Flato masterpiece or something similar that promotes "Austin's" casual elegance. Austin is comfortable.....you feel at ease wearing whatever you want, wherever you go...for the most part.

Lastly, I'll say it again, the only way we will EVER get a masterpiece is when a company builds a statement building (price be damned) or condo prices approach $2k/ft. Those projects demand high design.

Till then, I'm quite happy with what we have....though 6G is pretty bad.

I feel ya, except for the "wearing whatever you want, wherever you go" -- people need to have style here. Enough with the cargo shorts and yoga pants at dinner! lol