AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[austlar1]

Well, it will be one more place downtown to throw a cocktail party or gala event. I would rather see them spend money acquiring contemporary art for the permanent collection. I don't think this building even has a permanent collection, and the contemporary collection (actually any of the collections) at Laguna Gloria is laughable considering the relative size of this city and vast wealth in the Austin community. Please don't remind me about the Blanton. It is basically a university owned art collection. Austin does not even begin to compete with peer cities in Texas or elsewhere when it comes to collecting and exhibiting fine art.

[Myomi]

Didn't they just do a renovation fairly recently?

[The ATX]

I think they had expansion/remodel in 2010.

Originally Posted by MichaelB

There is certainly more space to be had there, the admin area certainly has un-used space... so much so that
5x7 spills back there!

I can't figure out what you mean by this.

[pscajunguy]

Wow! I just looked at the Miami Forum. They have 21 buildings currently under construction that are 44 floors or higher, and 32 proposed buildings of 60 floors or more. It's hard to believe that there are more people moving to Austin from Florida than anywhere else. They must have an awful lot of New Yawkers moving there, on top of the fact that Austin is more than twice the size of Miami, but I guess that probably explains why so many of them are moving here. (if you know what I mean)

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by pscajunguy

Wow! I just looked at the Miami Forum. They have 21 buildings currently under construction that are 44 floors or higher, and 32 proposed buildings of 60 floors or more. It's hard to believe that there are more people moving to Austin from Florida than anywhere else. They must have an awful lot of New Yawkers moving there, on top of the fact that Austin is more than twice the size of Miami, but I guess that probably explains why so many of them are moving here. (if you know what I mean)

City proper size does not matter...it never really has. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach MSA has 6 million people in it. 6.6 million in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie CSA.

Also, many of the people buying these condos in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area are foreign investors (namely from Latin American and European countries). However, Asians are getting into the act as well.

Another point too...local developers in the Miami area are not afraid of going tall. In fact, in most cases they have to (there is not a whole lot of space in which to build - ocean on one side and everglades on the other). Local developers in Austin seem to be terrified of breaking the 700' barrier. Furthermore, there are a wider variety of developers in Miami than there is in Austin. Local developers have vast experience in building tall structures. Also, several developers are from other regions of the east coast where they too have had several tall projects completed under their belt. Now, international developers are making their mark. The people developing towers in Austin, for the most part, have had no experience in developing anything more than 10 or so stories. Some not even that high. The only tower being proposed by a developer based outside of Austin (or Texas in general) is the one by Chicago-based Magellan**. And that towers height was cut down. Not many towers in the Miami area have been downsized. Quite the opposite has been happening.

And Miami's level of architecture far outweighs that of new buildings going up in Austin. One reason may be because of the fact that there is far more completion and buyers are willing to pay way more per square foot than they do in Austin (leading to more ability to pay for higher design by the developers).

Austin is no Miami and Miami is no Austin. They are two completely different animals. And I think it is unfair to try and compare the two.


[i]**The developer of The Fairmont-Austin, Manchester Texas Financial Group, is an Austin-based subsidiary of San Diego-based Manchester Financial Group. And, this tower, as well, was cut down in height.

[JoninATX]

Lots to talk about, while driving around town today I saw several new projects in the works as well as projects that have been that are now starting. Demolition crews have knocked down a student housing complex at San Gabriel and W. 25th St. This is one block south of "The Corner" which is the new 8 story student apartment that they are building. Next is a new 3 or 4 story bank going up at 38th and Guadalupe St right behind Starbucks. Also the new Travis County DA Office looks like it's beginning to start construction, site has been fenced off and several construction equipment is now on site. Lastly work is about to begin on Domain 8, the site is also fenced off. That's it for now.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Lots to talk about, while driving around town today I saw several new projects in the works as well as projects that have been that are now starting. Demolition crews have knocked down a student housing complex at San Gabriel and W. 25th St. This is one block south of "The Corner" which is the new 8 story student apartment that they are building. Next is a new 3 or 4 story bank going up at 38th and Guadalupe St right behind Starbucks. Also the new Travis County DA Office looks like it's beginning to start construction, site has been fenced off and several construction equipment is now on site. Lastly work is about to begin on Domain 8, the site is also fenced off. That's it for now.

I guess you were doing all that driving around without a camera.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

City proper size does not matter...it never really has. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach MSA has 6 million people in it. 6.6 million in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie CSA.

Amen. I really wish everyone understood this.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by The ATX

I think they had expansion/remodel in 2010.




I can't figure out what you mean by this.

ha! got it. .
"5x7" is a major fund raising event to the Museum.
Artist donate a work on a 5x7 format.
Work is only signed on back, so you don't know who you are buying!
Great event. Pieces are about $150 apiece now I think.
We have about 10 pieces from the event over the years. ( Great way to get cool small works from some amazing artists. )

So when they have that event... it spills into the Admin area cause there is not enough room... and it makes it obvious how much space in Admin could be used for gallery space.

All better!???! ;-)

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by The ATX

I guess you were doing all that driving around without a camera.

Oh no I had it, I took a few pictures mainly of Domain 8 and the West Campus Student Housing. It's just hard to take pictures while driving.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

ha! got it. .
"5x7" is a major fund raising event to the Museum.
Artist donate a work on a 5x7 format.
Work is only signed on back, so you don't know who you are buying!
Great event. Pieces are about $150 apiece now I think.
We have about 10 pieces from the event over the years. ( Great way to get cool small works from some amazing artists. )

So when they have that event... it spills into the Admin area cause there is not enough room... and it makes it obvious how much space in Admin could be used for gallery space.

All better!???! ;-)

All better.

[smt1]

From recently released IRS data, counties with most households relocating in 2012-2013:

http://headlightdata.com/counties-at...ago-lose-most/

[Urbannizer]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...newaustin.html

Originally Posted by ABJ

Pioneer Bank continues growth with new Austin office building

Pioneer Bank SSB is constructing an Austin office building near the corner of 38th and Guadalupe streets.

The building will support Pioneer’s Austin customers and act as a central location for the bank’s business and community development efforts, according to a bank announcement.

The new 35,000-square-foot building is expected to provide commercial and consumer customers with easy access and a community room to host nonprofit organization meetings, President and CEO Jeffrey Wilkinson said in a statement.

The bank will occupy the first floor of the three-story building that’s scheduled to be completed in late 2016.

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Oh no I had it, I took a few pictures mainly of Domain 8 and the West Campus Student Housing. It's just hard to take pictures while driving.

Forgot to report this, but soil testing was going on in the driveway of a home behind the Pointe on Rio. The house also has fencing surrounding it. No pics from me as I am out of town, but here's a look via street view.

[Slappy]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Forgot to report this, but soil testing was going on in the driveway of a home behind the Pointe on Rio. The house also has fencing surrounding it. No pics from me as I am out of town, but here's a look via street view.

Here's one from today, they are now drilling on the property next door as well.

[JoninATX]

Kool, thanks for all the updates. The amount of construction going on in West Campus is amazing. I wouldn't doubt in several years that the population density in some areas will reach 20,000 ppsm.

[The ATX]

A CVC determination was filed today for the site across the street from the Sheraton at 700 E 11th. It's currently the site of a one story building and a lot of parking.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11412272

[corvairkeith]

Also Ecology Action at 9th and I35 will be closing for good after this weekend.

[GoldenBoot]

Interesting development???

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...&postcount=248

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Interesting development???

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...&postcount=248

Saw that! Very interesting ... and perhaps a very good idea!
Would be interested to see where they are talking and how
East Austin will respond.