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  #1  
Old Posted Aug 24, 2013, 9:47 PM
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I'm not big on trying to build "iconic" buildings or structures. That often results in someone trying really hard to design something wonky and out of left field. And then no one can do anything about it, because it's already built and after many years the city actually becomes iconicized by the building that most people actually sort of hated. No thanks. Just give me good individual buildings and let the city develop it's image organically. I don't want any one building or structure to stand out more than the others.
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  #2  
Old Posted Aug 25, 2013, 3:58 AM
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I like the Bridge but I can see how some people may not like it. Its a bit too modernistic and doesn't seem to fit in well with Austin. The 360 bridge is still better than that one and either way it was done by students. I still think the concepts are cool though and would definitely not mind having that in Austin. Especially that train!!
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  #3  
Old Posted Aug 25, 2013, 5:15 AM
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I'm not a fan of bridges with a lot of overhead structure. I'd rather have the "open air" views. Also for all the complaining people do about utility lines, suspension bridges have those pesky cables mucking up a view. I like being able to look down the river while crossing the bridges and being able to see the hills. I feel like the buildings on both sides of the river accent and frame the view of the hills, but a large bridge crossing the river would truly block the view in some ways.
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  #4  
Old Posted Aug 25, 2013, 8:49 PM
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When do you guys think the east-central parts of downtown Austin, say the land on both sides of sixth and east of congress, will be built out with most currently underused land developed? Are there any midrises planned for this area, woodframe stuff or is it mostly being reserved for highrise buildings?

I just think a seemless grid in this area, no major parking lots left, is going to be key to "completing" the cityscape, so to speak.
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  #5  
Old Posted Aug 26, 2013, 5:20 PM
MightyYoda MightyYoda is offline
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Originally Posted by dc_denizen View Post
When do you guys think the east-central parts of downtown Austin, say the land on both sides of sixth and east of congress, will be built out with most currently underused land developed? Are there any midrises planned for this area, woodframe stuff or is it mostly being reserved for highrise buildings?

I just think a seemless grid in this area, no major parking lots left, is going to be key to "completing" the cityscape, so to speak.
I think you will see a lot more development on smaller lots due to the parking restriction being removed. Small sites don't have to worry about providing on-site parking if it doesn't make financial sense. On congress though, I think the harsh overlay restrictions are going to continue to kill projects until they are loosened up a little. You have a bunch of historic buildings that either you can't develop, or would have to use the facade so smallish lots plus harsh overlay means it just isn't worth it. Biggest tragedy IMO of this boom has been 416 and 814? Congress. Both designs were amazing and really brought the facades into play of the original historic buildings. Maybe with the removal of on-site parking, there is a slight chance one of these projects could be revived.
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  #6  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 5:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_denizen View Post
When do you guys think the east-central parts of downtown Austin, say the land on both sides of sixth and east of congress, will be built out with most currently underused land developed? Are there any midrises planned for this area, woodframe stuff or is it mostly being reserved for highrise buildings?

I just think a seemless grid in this area, no major parking lots left, is going to be key to "completing" the cityscape, so to speak.
Oh, about the day after they remove Caritas, Arch and the Salvation Army. That area is prime real estate for development but you can't do anything with it right now. Also the CVC caps combined with the parking requirements made it almost impossible to profitably develop a lot. That could change with the removal of the parking requirements.
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  #7  
Old Posted Aug 26, 2013, 1:47 AM
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I wouldn't really count on East 6th Street between Congress and I-35 being redeveloped. A lot of the oldest buildings in downtown are on East 6th Street. Besides, it's one of Austin's entertainment districts. Developers are probably reluctant to build there because of noise concerns with the bars and nightclubs.

From this article:

Quote:
Although East Sixth Street remained a bustling thoroughfare from its inception in the 19th century until the early 1960s, it was its quick decline in the ’60s and ’70s, due to businesses leaving for suburban Austin, that helped solidify the district as the historic entertainment destination it is today. According to the DAA, because the decline happened so quickly, very few of the buildings were renovated to be brought into current architectural styles.

Because East Sixth Street is a national historic district, 65 percent of the buildings that were on the street before 1900 are still in place today.
West 6th Street, however, is slated for more highrise development. The US post office on West 6th is planned for redevelopment that could eventually support a 40-story tower with 800,000 square feet of space. There's also a 13-story office building across the street from that lot now under construction. Many of the lots in that area are affected by capitol view corridors. They limit buildings to a certain height based on how tall they would need to be (or not to be) to block the view of the state capitol dome.

As for development east of I-35, it's a mix of wood framed apartments going up, but mostly they're concrete.
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  #8  
Old Posted Aug 26, 2013, 5:33 PM
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Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas View Post
I wouldn't really count on East 6th Street between Congress and I-35 being redeveloped. A lot of the oldest buildings in downtown are on East 6th Street. Besides, it's one of Austin's entertainment districts. Developers are probably reluctant to build there because of noise concerns with the bars and nightclubs.
I have been wondering if the Westin Hotel and the 5th & Brazos development are being, (or are required to be) built with extra sound insulation. I have seen in other place where existing entertainment districts have been hurt with new "night time occupied" development. Just a few complaints are enough for the city to over-react to the previously allowed night time serenade. The clubs have been here for decades now. New development should not be allowed to have owners/guests/residents voices over speak the existing night time establishments.
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  #9  
Old Posted Aug 26, 2013, 11:51 PM
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Interesting responses, thanks all.
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  #10  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 1:43 AM
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Hey, we need to add this bohemoth to the poster.... :-)
http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...congres/nZc36/
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  #11  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 5:04 AM
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Originally Posted by NYC_Longhorn View Post
Hey, we need to add this bohemoth to the poster.... :-)
http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...congres/nZc36/
You're kidding, right? 5 stories is not a behemoth.
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  #12  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 7:54 AM
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You're kidding, right? 5 stories is not a behemoth.
Yes, he is obviously kidding.
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  #13  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by NYC_Longhorn View Post
Hey, we need to add this bohemoth to the poster.... :-)
http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...congres/nZc36/
Can someone please grab the renderings from behind the pay wall? If you email them to me I'll host them and post them. - [email protected]
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  #14  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 11:35 AM
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Here's the entire article on another site (no photos): https://www.planning.org/news/daily/...y_id=189319715
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  #15  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 1:21 PM
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Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas View Post
Can someone please grab the renderings from behind the pay wall?
I'm not a subscriber, but I just did a google image search for "501 Congress" and "Rendering" and found these two. (I remember seeing the first one earlier.)




http://www.sixthriver.com/news-and-r...ress-property/




http://www.mystatesman.com/photo/bus...congres/pxhPN/
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  #16  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 1:46 PM
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It looks nice and all, but would look better with a 40-story tower plopped down on top of it.
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  #17  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 2:44 PM
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Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas View Post
Can someone please grab the renderings from behind the pay wall? If you email them to me I'll host them and post them. - [email protected]
Below are the renderings included in the Statesman article. I hate the paywall ( ) but I am a subscriber so feel free to ping me if you ever need something. [email protected]



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  #18  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 2:52 AM
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Super excited for the Colorado Tower. Most cities need some residential to mix with their offices, we need some offices(maybe not market wise...but for a good mix). Plus, its a damn good looking tower! Of course, could you imagine it at ....1,000 ft
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  #19  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 4:30 AM
JoninATX JoninATX is offline
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Still disappointed about the 5th & Congress project. A 5 story renovation project doesn't make up for a possible 50 story tower.
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  #20  
Old Posted Aug 27, 2013, 3:06 PM
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That would be a very cool modern looking design if this were 1958.
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