AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[Speculator]

Apologies. I have no idea where these should be posted. This is the latest from the 'pedestrianization' of Speedway on UT. Photos from yesterday.

[the Genral]

**UPDATE**
Spent some time with my friend today loaded with questions. (Caution) I'm just a messenger. Grain 'O salt. First of all, he is a UH grad not UT. Oops, some people are sensitive about that. The "up to" 72 story highrise will be residential with perhaps a mixed use component. It is in the final design phase and will soon be open to bidding. I now know the hotel brand he was refering to but I'm going to hold off mentioning it for now. It may or may not have been mentioned here before, I want to research it further before I say more. My neck is sticking out far enough. He described the design as "very unique". It is currently in the bidding phase. He said he would try to get a rendering emailed to me. Can't wait to see it. I asked about the bidding phase, he said as with the 72 story project, once the design phase is complete, the bidding is on the materials needed to construct once determined and also for the labor and equipment used, as an example, there may be several companies bidding on the steel, glass and cement needed ect, then the construction companies, tower construction, electrical, plumbing, ect...Once all the bidding is awarded, then the projects will be announced, unlike other dipshits that prematurely announce projects before any of this is completed.
So now I find that my source also has connections with Flintco LLC who has several projects going on DT, including 70 Rainey. He called a buddy associated with that and even though to us it seems not enough is happening there, it is most definately moving forward. Regarding the Waller Creek fiasco, there is nothing going on there that anyone knows about, so we might as well consider it DRT (dead right there). He would not rule out that location for the Res Tower, but as he said, that's not up to him. HA! He does not know where its going.

[The ATX]

[futures]

Did your source give you the address???

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by futures

Did your source give you the address???

Nope, just somewhere DT. We discussed the viable locations though. I mentioned the old post office site on the west side but he seemed to rebuke that mention.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by the Genral

**UPDATE**
Spent some time with my friend today loaded with questions. (Caution) I'm just a messenger. Grain 'O salt. First of all, he is a UH grad not UT. Oops, some people are sensitive about that. The "up to" 72 story highrise will be residential with perhaps a mixed use component. It is in the final design phase and will soon be open to bidding. I now know the hotel brand he was refering to but I'm going to hold off mentioning it for now. It may or may not have been mentioned here before, I want to research it further before I say more. My neck is sticking out far enough. He described the design as "very unique". It is currently in the bidding phase. He said he would try to get a rendering emailed to me. Can't wait to see it. I asked about the bidding phase, he said as with the 72 story project, once the design phase is complete, the bidding is on the materials needed to construct once determined and also for the labor and equipment used, as an example, there may be several companies bidding on the steel, glass and cement needed ect, then the construction companies, tower construction, electrical, plumbing, ect...Once all the bidding is awarded, then the projects will be announced, unlike other dipshits that prematurely announce projects before any of this is completed.
So now I find that my source also has connections with Flintco LLC who has several projects going on DT, including 70 Rainey. He called a buddy associated with that and even though to us it seems not enough is happening there, it is most definately moving forward. Regarding the Waller Creek fiasco, there is nothing going on there that anyone knows about, so we might as well consider it DRT (dead right there). He would not rule out that location for the Res Tower, but as he said, that's not up to him. HA! He does not know where its going.

For some perspective on the potential height of a 72 story residential building:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...tial_buildings

The 72 story towers listed there range from 827-1040 ft.

[drummer]

theGeneral, we salute you!

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by drummer

theGeneral, we salute you!

Appreciate that! btw, you can just call me genral.

[KevinFromTexas]

Awesome. Let's hope it happens.

[We vs us]

SUPER curious about that hotel project. It sounds like it's free-standing and if that's true I'm not sure we know about it. Everything I can think of is accounted for.

Actually I take it back. There was one proposed for the IBC parking lot off W Sixth. Is that the one, Genral?

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by We vs us

SUPER curious about that hotel project. It sounds like it's free-standing and if that's true I'm not sure we know about it. Everything I can think of is accounted for.

Actually I take it back. There was one proposed for the IBC parking lot off W Sixth. Is that the one, Genral?

I'm currently looking into more details, I know its not near the Capitol. Patience. There are credibility issues at stake. If I can get a rendering, it will clear up a lot questions. It will also have the brand on it.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'm currently looking into more details, I know its not near the Capitol. Patience. There are credibility issues at stake. If I can get a rendering, it will clear up a lot questions. It will also have the brand on it.

No worries. Keep yourself in good standing. This stuff is a subject of constant speculation among us hotel-types, it will definitely keep.

Either way, great scoops all the way around!

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by We vs us

No worries. Keep yourself in good standing. This stuff is a subject of constant speculation among us hotel-types, it will definitely keep.

Either way, great scoops all the way around!

OK, I found what I was looking for. When I was told the hotel would be tallish and unique, I was concerned because that was personal opinion. When I looked at the brand under construction or planned in other cities I saw a mixed bag. Then I wanted to check to see if this was already mentioned in a prior post, it was, by you, 4/5/16, Hotel M. post #24. So yes, I was told Virgin Hotel has one planned for Austin, previously on their wish list and its in the bidding phase. They are in NO, and Nashville, NY and Dallas either u/c or planned. From boxy to pretty cool. According to my source, "unique". Now its wait and see if this is accurate info. and if I can get the rendering he said he has...somewhere. It makes sense, they like touristy cities and offer a brand different than mainstream that Branson insist on. From what I understand, it wouldn't be his deep pockets that would finance this but investors interested in his brand. I'm concerned that this hasn't surfaced yet but perhaps they are about to once the bids are awarded, again if intel is correct. If its in the 20+ story range, it could go just about anywhere??

[The ATX]

Virgin has been publicly announcing that they want to build in Austin since at least 2014, so that adds credibility to the project. Branson rode a white horse at the Virgin Dallas hotel groundbreaking last year. Brits seem to like the cowboy stereotype.




Everyone seemed to get a Branson head-on-a-stick as well.


http://candysdirt.com/2016/10/19/sir...hite-stallion/

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by the Genral

OK, I found what I was looking for. When I was told the hotel would be tallish and unique, I was concerned because that was personal opinion. When I looked at the brand under construction or planned in other cities I saw a mixed bag. Then I wanted to check to see if this was already mentioned in a prior post, it was, by you, 4/5/16, Hotel M. post #24. So yes, I was told Virgin Hotel has one planned for Austin, previously on their wish list and its in the bidding phase. They are in NO, and Nashville, NY and Dallas either u/c or planned. From boxy to pretty cool. According to my source, "unique". Now its wait and see if this is accurate info. and if I can get the rendering he said he has...somewhere. It makes sense, they like touristy cities and offer a brand different than mainstream that Branson insist on. From what I understand, it wouldn't be his deep pockets that would finance this but investors interested in his brand. I'm concerned that this hasn't surfaced yet but perhaps they are about to once the bids are awarded, again if intel is correct. If its in the 20+ story range, it could go just about anywhere??

Ah cool, I love it. Especially since I actually DID know about it -- in a sense -- almost a year ago!

I remember thinking at the time that 1) yep, Virgin would be a natural fit here but that 2) generalized announcements of markets of interest do not a finished product make. Especially for a new brand like Virgin. Glad to hear that this one's jumped from intent to execution.

Now I'm very interested to know where they'd put it. I can't imagine it'd be anywhere but downtown . . . and as close to the action as possible. So I'd doubt up by the Capitol, and I'd doubt as far north as UT. That lot behind the IBC bank might actually work perfectly . . . . .

[KevinFromTexas]

Well, I remember someone posting an article about there being like 30 more hotels or something planned for Austin. It also listed the other Texas cities.

EDIT: here it is:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/20/b...stin.html?_r=0

[The ATX]

In order for a ~70-story tower to get built in this city, it most likely will require a large site, i.e. an entire block, due to the F.A.R. building requirements. It could of course, be on a block that's under the radar because currently operating businesses will need to be demo'ed. Since it would require additional city approvals to go that tall, it would also need to be on a site with zero to no political drama potential. In other words, not on the edge of Downtown and close to vocal neighborhood opposition. The likely candidates IMO are:


Travis County Block
Waller Park Place Site (if Sutton sells it)
Town Lake Villas Site (Sutton seems to be focusing on this project more than WPP)
Post Office Site

[urbancore]

ABJ Crane Watch

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/maps/crane-watch

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

ABJ Crane Watch

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/maps/crane-watch

Nice interface, no surprises.

[Urbannizer]

I believe something is coming to the corner of San Gabriel and W 22nd in West Campus. I live in the small complex in the background and the house that sat on this mostly vacant lot was demolished today.


Untitled by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr


Untitled by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr