AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III

[GoldenBoot]

I am, and do keep up! In fact, I'm probably more intrenched in the urban core development scene than most in this forum.

I read that article and yes, 2015 was mentioned. But, nothing has been made definitive. Furthermore, it is a bit hard to say when one will begin construction when financing has yet to be finalized. By no means am I saying they cannot or will not begin construction sometime in 2015...your listing appears as if it were set-in-stone. It was a suggestion to pull back and not be over zealous on your document.

I believe you will see other projects being announced; however, their start dates may be put off until the next cycle (roughly 2016/2017 with deliveries in 2018/2019/2020 - depending on the complexity of the structure).

All-in-all, it's a good list.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I am, and do keep up! In fact, I'm probably more intrenched in the urban core development scene than most in this forum.

I read that article and yes, 2015 was mentioned. But, nothing has been made definitive. Furthermore, it is a bit hard to say when one will begin construction when financing has yet to be finalized. By no means am I saying they cannot or will not begin construction sometime in 2015...your listing appears as if it were set-in-stone. It was a suggestion to pull back and not be over zealous on your document.

I believe you will see other projects being announced; however, their start dates may be put off until the next cycle (roughly 2016/2017 with deliveries in 2018/2019/2020 - depending on the complexity of the structure).

All-in-all, it's a good list.

[Syndic]

[KevinFromTexas]

Great pic! Oh man, I love that. It looks like a dream.

[Syndic]

Block 1 is now rising above the fence.



The sidewalk is in and the street improvements are underway in front of IBC Bank Plaza.

[JoninATX]

Pictures I took over the last few days.

[KevinFromTexas]

I hadn't even noticed the Texas Public Policy building was under construction yet. It's interesting to see that they're using steel for the frame instead of concrete. Steel framed buildings in Austin are a rare sight unless they're small.

[JoninATX]

Very rare indeed Kevin. I was surprised myself and even more once they completed the skeleton of the building. But I gotta say it adds good density around the area.

[SkyPie]

I like that they left two of the old building facades on E. 9th Street. I didn't know they were going to do that but it makes me feel better about losing the building they took down, even if it had been significantly altered over the years.

[Kotliz]

Originally Posted by SkyPie

I like that they left two of the old building facades on E. 9th Street. I didn't know they were going to do that but it makes me feel better about losing the building they took down, even if it had been significantly altered over the years.

Agreed. I really like that approach of leaving some of those old facades even some of the old buildings on street level, then adding hight an modernity behind and above them. I think it makes for a more interesting street-level experience, and also keeps some of the historical look of old Austin while allowing the city to grow.

I like this example and also, the North West corner of the Marriott on Congress and Third, where they built around the two old buildings on the corner. It creates an interesting visual contrast. Compare that corner to the one directly over the road on Third, where the polished stone of 301 Congress comes all the way to the sidewalk. It seems less friendly, in a way.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Kotliz

Agreed. I really like that approach of leaving some of those old facades even some of the old buildings on street level, then adding hight an modernity behind and above them. I think it makes for a more interesting street-level experience, and also keeps some of the historical look of old Austin while allowing the city to grow.

I like this example and also, the North West corner of the Marriott on Congress and Third, where they built around the two old buildings on the corner. It creates an interesting visual contrast. Compare that corner to the one directly over the road on Third, where the polished stone of 301 Congress comes all the way to the sidewalk. It seems less friendly, in a way.

I agree with all of this, but lately I've noticed how much old buildings are just being torn down for the sake of something bigger. Austin is seriously low on historic public buildings....heck, they're even trying to demolish that mod house off 38th & Red River

I get so feelingsy when I see old maps of downtown with those spectacular ghost buildings everywhere.

[The ATX]

I prefer building "future historical buildings" instead of saving buildings that only a handful of people think are worth saving.

[Kotliz]

Who maintains the Wikipedia / List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Austin page? There are several buildings that need to be added.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by Kotliz

Who maintains the Wikipedia / List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Austin page? There are several buildings that need to be added.

Anybody can edit Wikipedia. Feel free to make any necessary changes.

[Chiveman]

This is an idea of what Austin's skyline could look like. I added a 940' building just to show what that type of height could do. It's 940' to the top of the spire. I did leave out the ECC site and two of the GWTP buildings because I wasn't sure about the heights for those.



This is more of an aerial view just to show the locations of buildings better.

Austin is definitely growing up. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

[shakman]

Great work Chiveman.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I agree with all of this, but lately I've noticed how much old buildings are just being torn down for the sake of something bigger. Austin is seriously low on historic public buildings....heck, they're even trying to demolish that mod house off 38th & Red River

I get so feelingsy when I see old maps of downtown with those spectacular ghost buildings everywhere.

I can see what your saying but think about how little density Downtown Austin would have today if the majority of those buildings remained. Remember we are talking about small buildings with at most 3 floors. For most of this city's history we were a small town. We were never big enough to gain much density in an era when larger cities built up their cores with midrises.

It's just not practical for a city nearing 900,000 people especially when there are already other restrictions such as the CVCs to contend with. I think incorporating original structures into new buildings is a great idea and would like to see more of that, but most of the architectural gems are already protected as historical landmarks. There are some, like the facade that was incorporated into the Austonian, that I just don't see the point of. To me that does not scream out architectural gem.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Chiveman

two of the GWTP buildings because I wasn't sure about the heights for those.

The heights that I have from the architect for GWTP are:

GreenWater Block 1 Residential: 415 feet (shown in rendering)

GreenWater Block 185 Residential: 410 feet

GreenWater Block 23 Office: 419 feet

GreenWater Block 188 Hotel: 234 feet

Some others

The Catherine: 209 feet, 210 Barton Springs Road

Austin Main Library: 123 feet, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street

Hotel Indigo/Holiday Inn: 136 feet, 805 Neches Street

UT System Administration Headquarters ~220 feet (estimated height)

Capitol Commons: 140 feet spire/127 feet roof, 1303 San Antonio Street

[Chiveman]

I added the buildings that Kevin mentioned and added an 850' building at the ECC site just to see how it would look.





One more aerial just to show locations of buildings.

[KevinFromTexas]

Man, all these 400 footers are giving Austin's skyline a plateau effect.