AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Also Kevin mentioned that with one of the projects that are proposed at the Green Water Site, that Austin would definatly be the 3rd skyline in Texas. I kinda think Austin already has the 3rd most impressive skyline unless you were talking about one of the satillite skylines in the Houston or Dallas area like Houson's Medical district. But as far as Central Business Districts go, I say Austin has passed SA and Fort worth now in skyline. With 360 complete, Austin now has the tallest highrise in Texas outside of Houston or Dallas.

Actually, Fort Worth's tallest is still 4 feet taller than 360. And I think Austin has already passed up San Antonio and Fort Worth in the skyline territory too, but with that new ~650 foot tower proposed by Stratus, and the immense density of the Green/Seaholm/2nd Street District, it won't even be arguable. I really think Austin is just now starting to turn the corner to become the 3rd skyline of Texas. Pretty amazing, because 10 years ago we did not have a skyline befitting our size.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Actually, Fort Worth's tallest is still 4 feet taller than 360...

Nope. Not true. They're exactly the same height; 567'.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

...with that new ~650 foot tower proposed by Stratus...

Yes...In my opinion, Stratus' proposal is the best one of the five. And, they've got some financial backing with Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds.

Their proposal includes six buildings...

GWTP Site:
1) 54-story, 650' residential tower
2) 40-story, 425' residential tower
3) 26-story, 292' office tower
4) 20-story, 257' residential tower
5) ~18-20-story, 223' hotel tower

ECC Site:
1) 36-story, 385' tower

[jgouger]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Yes...In my opinion, Stratus' proposal is the best one of the five. And, they've got some financial backing with Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds.

Their proposal includes six buildings...

GWTP Site:
1) 54-story, 650' residential tower
2) 40-story, 425' residential tower
3) 26-story, 292' office tower
4) 20-story, 257' residential tower
5) ~18-20-story, 223' hotel tower

ECC Site:
1) 36-story, 385' tower

You know I'm glad to see developers FINALLY considering bringing more Class A office space into Downtown and public parking! Assuming Hines' project and this one are actually built it would mean almost 3/4 of a million sq ft of gross rentable space. The residential on the other hand, is getting out of hand. Surely developers can come up with better ideas than only luxury condos?

One of the reasons why Houston and Dallas have such incredible skylines are because 90% of the buildings there are corporate headquarters for oil and banking companies. These companies have an inherent need to show off their power and stature; consequently they build huge buildings. Austin should try to get more corporate relocations here in order to build out downtown. They already do in marketing the Tech Corridor, but don't really seem to put much effort into marketing downtown for businesses.

It may be very interesting to see if in a few years that a large portion of downtown residents commute in the opposite direction for the jobs.

[Raining Inside]

I think it's cool that Austin's skyline will be dominated by residential buildings. That makes it relatively unique among American cities. And especially unique among sun belt cities. Miami is an obvious exception also.

[LiveattheOasis]

Alright Kevin, you've got my attention with the Green Water model pics.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Nope. Not true. They're exactly the same height; 567'.

I wonder why there are so many conflicting heights with this building. Doesn't anyone know out there for sure? I want to see the blueprints. We've heard 581 feet, 567, and 563. Which one can we trust? What are the sources of these different heights?

Originally Posted by jgouger

You know I'm glad to see developers FINALLY considering bringing more Class A office space into Downtown and public parking! Assuming Hines' project and this one are actually built it would mean almost 3/4 of a million sq ft of gross rentable space. The residential on the other hand, is getting out of hand. Surely developers can come up with better ideas than only luxury condos?

One of the reasons why Houston and Dallas have such incredible skylines are because 90% of the buildings there are corporate headquarters for oil and banking companies. These companies have an inherent need to show off their power and stature; consequently they build huge buildings. Austin should try to get more corporate relocations here in order to build out downtown. They already do in marketing the Tech Corridor, but don't really seem to put much effort into marketing downtown for businesses.

It may be very interesting to see if in a few years that a large portion of downtown residents commute in the opposite direction for the jobs.

More office space will come to downtown when it is needed. Right now there's not quite enough demand for it to justify an office boom just yet. The reason for so much residential space, is that there simply hasn't ever been enough of it in the past. We're just playing catch up.

Originally Posted by jgouger

These companies have an inherent need to show off their power and stature; consequently they build huge buildings.

I'm thinking Stratus' 650 foot proposal will be a huge building. I wouldn't be surprised to see that building have 1 million square feet or more. It looks a good bit bigger than The Austonian.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by jgouger

I remember seeing something somewhere that the Ovation would commence construction within the next 60 days. Andrews Urban / Novarre are very good about meeting their deadlines, so expect this project to happen by the end of the summer.

I would guess that they will be re-building the sales office for 360 and turn it into the sales office for the Ovation.

Btw has anyone heard anything new about the post office moving to red river? This project was originally supposed to contain the new post office, but with them moving, perhaps more street level retail??

Yes, they are suppose to move to Red river and 9th. There is an old parking deck on the west side of the street that the feds own already.

[austin242]

yall have to go to this site http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/green.htm

[Raining Inside]

The city updated the Green website with more info. There are now videos for projects other than Simmons Vedder. And Simmons Vedder has a pdf now with more info. The best part though is a matrix that compares the projects and lists the number of floors for the proposed buildings. The two tallest buildings in The Trammel Crow proposal are 52 and 55 stories.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/green.htm

[CHAPINM1]

Originally Posted by Raining Inside

I think it's cool that Austin's skyline will be dominated by residential buildings. That makes it relatively unique among American cities. And especially unique among sun belt cities. Miami is an obvious exception also.

Throw Las Vegas in there as an exception too...

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by CHAPINM1

Throw Las Vegas in there as an exception too...

Vegas is its own beast.. and most of those are hotels. Other than that center city monstrosity.

I was in Vegas two weeks ago, that development is absolutely insane.

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by Raining Inside

The city updated the Green website with more info. There are now videos for projects other than Simmons Vedder. And Simmons Vedder has a pdf now with more info. The best part though is a matrix that compares the projects and lists the number of floors for the proposed buildings. The two tallest buildings in The Trammel Crow proposal are 52 and 55 stories.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/green.htm

After going through the PDF's, I think Trammel Crow has 100% the best plan for that area of downtown. Stratus has a very good, but not comprable plan..

the others are simply not in the same leauge.

[Dougall5505]

whats up with this picture? I've never seen a floating building before. did anyone else notice this?

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

After going through the PDF's, I think Trammel Crow has 100% the best plan for that area of downtown. Stratus has a very good, but not comprable plan..

the others are simply not in the same leauge.

why so?

[Strayone]

The floating building picture must have some type of blueout like when film uses green or blue backdrops for cg purposes. I think the building that has been halved is the Hilton on 6th st.

[Mopacs]

Ok, I've been staring at Lonestar's picture for the better part of an hour. Have no idea...Which building? At this point the whole picture is floating, along with my monitor and even part of my office chair.

Originally Posted by Dougall5505

whats up with this picture? I've never seen a floating building before. did anyone else notice this?

[KevinFromTexas]

It's an optical illusion.

He's talking about the Hampton Inn & Suites. Tan and brown building with the red sign on the left side of the pic framed by the two cranes. If you notice, it looks like it's hovering. Look carefully though, it's not of course. The reflective roof of another building in front of it is reflecting the sky, matching the color almost exactly. It's the AMLI Downtown building. Its roof is metal and reflects the sky. The crane on the left also looks like it's floating, but of course it's not. If you look very carefully you can see the white crane shaft below the red part which is the crane's jack, but it's kind of hard to see. And then of course once the building and cranes drop behind the roof and walls of AMLI Downtown, it appears to disappear.

[TexasRules777]

I think it's the Hamilton Inn? middle right next the seaholm stack (oops it's the hampton inn)

[Mopacs]

AH! Thanks for the help in seeing the illusion Kevin. A good night's sleep helps too. Though I must admit its trippy. The architects of the Hampton and their evil little games!