AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III - Page 65

The ATX · #**1281** Posted **Dec 14, 2012, 10:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by N90

Whatever happened to the Villa Muse Studio?

Was it canceled or put on hold? I'm having a hard time finding any searches for it's updates.

That died in 2008 which is why you are having trouble finding updates.

ROCrot · #**1282** Posted **Dec 14, 2012, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by N90

Whatever happened to the Villa Muse Studio?

Was it canceled or put on hold? I'm having a hard time finding any searches for it's updates.

Did you notice when you went to the Villa Muse Studios webpage (http://www.villamuse.com/) it said that for more information, you should contact Jay Podolnick?

Well, his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/jay.podolnick) says that he's the founder of Villa Muse Studios, and it also said he stopped working for it on August 22, 2009. I'd say that is a sure sign that it is dead!

Komeht · #**1283** Posted **Dec 14, 2012, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

I also went to Mueller (I like to keep an eye on it) and saw that they're starting construction of the Austin Children's Museum and they've added a lot of new streets and houses since I've been there. It's really coming along nicely. That neighborhood is going to be a great place when it's finished. I just think if they want to keep it having a trendy feel they have to add more mixed-use retail.

I expect (and hope) this is going to happen sooner rather than later now. This is under construction in and around the town center right now:

ACM
Mosaic II
HEB + Market District
Section 6 residential (just East of town center and much denser than previous sections)

Slated for next year:
AMLI
AISD PAC
Austin Playhouse
Section 7 residential (in between Market District and town center)

The updated plans from Catellus look very good with a hotel (boutique or flag) and a movie theater (hopefully) going in as the anchors for the heart of Aldrich St. They have been a bit coy on timing of those projects and actual announced tenant yet, but I'd expect in the next five years the entire area will be transformed at the pace they're on now.

Syndic · #**1284** Posted **Dec 15, 2012, 2:22 AM**

Ah, so that's what I saw when I visited Mueller recently; the H-E-B. I guess they've already started construction of it. I saw some bare bones of a building in the distance.

Apparently, it will be designed by Lake|Flato and it sounds like it will be one of the nicest and greenest H-E-Bs in existence. So says this article, at least. You can't help but appreciate H-E-B for being such a cooperative, progressively-minded company in all this. Although, I do wish their other stores had a bit more of that flavor.

It's nice to hear that all of this is on the horizon for Mueller. Is there an updated map of the plan?

Mueller may have numerous flaws (not urban enough, too many parks for my tastes, too separated from the surrounding area), but with all of the things contained within it and being more dense than most Austin neighborhoods, I think will still be a very good addition to our city when it's all said and done. It doesn't get nearly enough love here.

Komeht · #**1285** Posted **Dec 15, 2012, 4:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

Ah, so that's what I saw when I visited Mueller recently; the H-E-B. I guess they've already started construction of it. I saw some bare bones of a building in the distance.

Apparently, it will be designed by Lake|Flato and it sounds like it will be one of the nicest and greenest H-E-Bs in existence. So says this article, at least. You can't help but appreciate H-E-B for being such a cooperative, progressively-minded company in all this. Although, I do wish their other stores had a bit more of that flavor.

It's nice to hear that all of this is on the horizon for Mueller. Is there an updated map of the plan?

Mueller may have numerous flaws (not urban enough, too many parks for my tastes, too separated from the surrounding area), but with all of the things contained within it and being more dense than most Austin neighborhoods, I think will still be a very good addition to our city when it's all said and done. It doesn't get nearly enough love here.

I agree with everything you say, with the exception of congratulating HEB. Unfortunately they were aparently adamantly opposed to considering altering their formula from a purely suburban model. Pretty green architecture is window dressing for the fact that it's going to sit behind a giant parking lot. There are grocery stores that are urban - Publix has figured out how to do it - but I guess no grocery in Texas has gotten there yet.

That being said it will still be a tremendous amenity not just for Mueller, but also for much of North East Austin. I think Catellus is doing what it can to mitigate the surface parking by offering some other stuctures to front Berkman and create an urban connection.

Mueller isn't perfect urbanism and many of the critiques have some truth, but much of what is there is very very good and the potential 5 years out is pretty great.

ROCrot · #**1286** Posted **Dec 15, 2012, 2:46 PM**

UT System delays $102.4M plan for new HQ

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...n-hq-plan.html

KevinFromTexas · #**1287** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 6:33 AM**

3 eleven Bowie officially broke ground today. So that's two 400 footers under construction in downtown now.

It's funny how they left the Whole Foods HQ in this rendering.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...-towere/nTYhb/

Quote:

Posted: 4:04 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2012
Amid apartment boom, work starts on 36-story tower
Endeavor/Lynd project latest to launch in multifamily wave

By Shonda Novak
American-Statesman Staff

In the latest sign of the ongoing apartment building boom in Central Texas, developers broke ground this week on a 36-story tower that will add 358 luxury units downtown when it opens in 2014.

In addition, two other apartment projects are due to start soon downtown. And just south of downtown, two more multifamily projects recently started construction.

Two projects due to break ground soon are a 24-story tower with 221 slated to rise at West Seventh and Rio Grande streets, and StreetLights at Barton Springs, 300 units in a 19-story tower to be built near the Hyatt hotel.

“We will be closing the construction loan within the next few days, with construction commencing by year end,” Blakewell said. The project will be built at a cost of about $70 million, he said.

LMich · #**1288** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 8:09 AM**

That is one kick-ass tower. Congrats, Austin.

Dale · #**1289** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 3:44 PM**

Haven't we learned that the tower is actually 468' to the tippy-top ?

Komeht · #**1290** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 4:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMich

That is one kick-ass tower. Congrats, Austin.

It's nice to see a tall building go up that isn't beige and tan - I do not understand Austin's obsession with beige and tan boxy mid-rises.

lzppjb · #**1291** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 4:39 PM**

I'm partial to the Bowie. I like the name and street it's on, and it looks awesome. May end up being my favorite.

KevinFromTexas · #**1292** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

Haven't we learned that the tower is actually 468' to the tippy-top ?

423 feet according to the site plan. That's to the highest point.

Dale · #**1293** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

423 feet according to the site plan. That's to the highest point.

Ah, somehow I got the impression 423 to highest-occupied and 468 to top.

ahealy · #**1294** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 6:02 PM**

Either way, I am super excited they broke ground. It looks like they're replanting the tree. I can see it now from my window

Bowie is gonna be one dense ass street....The whole seaholm/market district is going to be super residential in 3 years.

ivanwolf · #**1295** Posted **Dec 19, 2012, 4:11 AM**

Some pics of the JW Marriott from 12/17/12 at lunch. Only iPhone pics but you get the point.

I am surprised they drove the big crane machine down a newer ramp to put up the two tower cranes. Why just not place the set up crane at street level? I can only think its an angle thing and the weight of the pieces maybe?

gardensoul · #**1296** Posted **Dec 20, 2012, 12:49 PM**

http://vimeo.com/55335421#

A TED-like video from team Frog re: Austin Gondolas. Interesting.

photoLith · #**1297** Posted **Dec 20, 2012, 1:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

3 eleven Bowie officially broke ground today. So that's two 400 footers under construction in downtown now.

It's funny how they left the Whole Foods HQ in this rendering.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...-towere/nTYhb/

What the hell, that one came out of nowhere. Sheesh I wish downtown Houston would be seeing this kind of amazing residential development.

wwmiv · #**1298** Posted **Dec 20, 2012, 3:32 PM**

No, that one has been in development for years and has gone through many different iterations.

MichaelB · #**1299** Posted **Dec 20, 2012, 6:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

3 eleven Bowie officially broke ground today. So that's two 400 footers under construction in downtown now.

It's funny how they left the Whole Foods HQ in this rendering.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...-towere/nTYhb/

...... BUT left Spring out! LOL! It's so "modern" of them, just re-write the history of the area to what is convienent to sell! LOL! Leave out the builiding that will block the SW view....leave in the major Amenity (WFs) in the area! LOL!

wwmiv · #**1300** Posted **Dec 20, 2012, 6:15 PM**

That's probably out of the range of that photo, but stinging critique nonetheless.