AUSTIN | Photos & Videos Thread

[KevinFromTexas]

Ah, yep, I bet that's it.

[AustinYIMBY]

Yep, I believe you are correct about the location being the Ullrich WTP. Just on the other side of that small tree in the middle of the picture is a huge underground water storage tank. The 2nd picture is from the corner of the underground tank.

[Urbannizer]

Austin Pano by Jason, on Flickr

[the Genral]

We always seem to talk about filling the gaps east to west looking from the river, I think we can consider the gaps are also filling north to south looking from the west. It would be nice to see something taller crop up near campus, perhaps a 400 - 500 footer.

[hequals2henry]

Yes that would improve the view from i35 as well.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by the Genral

We always seem to talk about filling the gaps east to west looking from the river, I think we can consider the gaps are also filling north to south looking from the west. It would be nice to see something taller crop up near campus, perhaps a 400 - 500 footer.

From the vantage of the above photograph, the towers proposed in the innovation district around the medical school will accomplish this request of yours.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, based on Google Earth, those should show up left of the Capitol here. There are two state office buildings in this view. One of them is short and has no windows on this side. The other one (the white one with the arched roof) is at 15th & Guadalupe. The Brackenridge property sits right between those two buildings in this view. So any of the buildings in the Brackenridge development will show up there. The Hotel Mirabeau will show up there, too.

The Block 87 Tower will show up between the Capitol and the Capitol Tower. Even the Avenue will be between the Fairmont and Hilton here. So basically the gap between 21Rio and Fairmont will be filled in a bit. The 5th & Brazos tower should also fill in the gap between the One American Center and the Frost Bank Tower.

[oberthewhat]

Just some quick snaps from our new house, with my phone.

[Riverranchdrone]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110862...posted-public/
[IMG]downtown (10 of 10) by partyboyrrock, on Flickr[/IMG]

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice view, oberthewhat. The skyline is nice obviously, but I love the view of the green. That must be really relaxing at night.

Riverranchdrone, that's a good angle on the development on that side of downtown. Welcome to the forum, by the way.

[Riverranchdrone]

Thanks Kevin. Used to post a long time ago but could not remember my password for my other account and could not change it so had to create a new one. Usually just lurk at everyones posts and pictures like a building pervert. lol

[the Genral]

I really like that pic. It looks like 5th and West is working on the 19th floor of the tower portion leaving only 13 to go. It should top out just above where the sky meets the horizon, 2 floors above by my estimate. The upgrades to Shoal Creek from the river to the north looks great. Can someone remind me what the plans are for that last parcel? I can't decide what I would like to see there. I wouldn't mind if it became another park, an extension of the renovated creek bed. It would be a great spot for a sculpture garden and a really nice public space. Or maybe something in the range of a 500 foot tower. Anything but another 400 footer. And it would be nice if it was curved to contrast with all the boxes in the area. Although I'm not in love with the color choices on the library, it doesn't suck from that angle. I'm sure the residents of the Independent don't mind the substation where it is. They are almost guaranteed an unobstructed view to the south for the long term, but that fence just looks like a poor choice for a cover up. You can see something similar albeit less colorful surrounding junkyards and other eyesores. My choice woud have been something in stone, like a fortress. I'm starting to think the powerline towers shoud be painted dark green or brown. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like 3 of the trees on the pool deck of the condos in front of the Google tower look dead. Four significant buildings going up within 4 blocks of each other, whew...amazing!

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I really like that pic. It looks like 5th and West is working on the 19th floor of the tower portion leaving only 13 to go. It should top out just above where the sky meets the horizon, 2 floors above by my estimate. The upgrades to Shoal Creek from the river to the north looks great. Can someone remind me what the plans are for that last parcel? I can't decide what I would like to see there. I wouldn't mind if it became another park, an extension of the renovated creek bed. It would be a great spot for a sculpture garden and a really nice public space. Or maybe something in the range of a 500 foot tower. Anything but another 400 footer. And it would be nice if it was curved to contrast with all the boxes in the area. Although I'm not in love with the color choices on the library, it doesn't suck from that angle. I'm sure the residents of the Independent don't mind the substation where it is. They are almost guaranteed an unobstructed view to the south for the long term, but that fence just looks like a poor choice for a cover up. You can see something similar albeit less colorful surrounding junkyards and other eyesores. My choice woud have been something in stone, like a fortress. I'm starting to think the powerline towers shoud be painted dark green or brown. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like 3 of the trees on the pool deck of the condos in front of the Google tower look dead. Four significant buildings going up within 4 blocks of each other, whew...amazing!

Well there was that possibility of a 900+ footer which if I had my way would be what would go there. There will be a building but probably won't be anything to write home about. I agree that it would be great to have a tower that breaks up the flat roof dullness. It's a prominent local for a striking design even if it isn't extremely tall.

I love the 2nd Street bridge very much as well as the creekside improvements and scaping, though I think the city should seriously consider renovating the Cesar Chavez bridge to complement the other bridge. Nothing as tall and it doesn't have to be as elaborate so as to not overshadow the 2nd Street bridge since that should be the center piece but would like something more for Cesar Chavez than the current bridge.

[Riverranchdrone]

The 2nd street bridge has really grown on me. When I watch the independent cam view from across the river, the bridge is the only color light you can really see from that view. It is just a sea of white light.

[Armybrat]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'm sure the residents of the Independent don't mind the substation where it is. They are almost guaranteed an unobstructed view to the south for the long term, but that fence just looks like a poor choice for a cover up. You can see something similar albeit less colorful surrounding junkyards and other eyesores. My choice woud have been something in stone, like a fortress. I'm starting to think the powerline towers shoud be painted dark green or brown. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like 3 of the trees on the pool deck of the condos in front of the Google tower look dead. Four significant buildings going up within 4 blocks of each other, whew...amazing!

That power substation could be covered by some large tarp structures, which could be done in an art form themselves - kinda like a combination of Christo & Austin Cool.

Saw a tram station in Las Vegas that had a very large structure overhead like that with a very substantial framework similar to the poles in the Austin power substation. However, its "tarp" covering was just plain white. The substation could be covered with a free form colorful version which might become a very nice addition to the Austin waterfront skyline instead of the present eyesore.

[Sigaven]

I think that substation block would make for a great public square if they ever move the substation. Bounded by the library, seaholm, the Independent, and Shoal Creek/Austin Proper make for breathtaking bookends, and public squares is something this city is desperately lacking!

Of course, that substation will likely stay in place for decades more, but just dreaming out loud...

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

That power substation could be covered by some large tarp structures, which could be done in an art form themselves - kinda like a combination of Christo & Austin Cool.

Saw a tram station in Las Vegas that had a very large structure overhead like that with a very substantial framework similar to the poles in the Austin power substation. However, its "tarp" covering was just plain white. The substation could be covered with a free form colorful version which might become a very nice addition to the Austin waterfront skyline instead of the present eyesore.

This is a good idea. I know that some cities have covered or enclosed power substations so it can be done. The question is how much would the city willing to spend to do something like that if the idea was pushed? Considering the current strategy of the colored fence (honestly doesn't look as nice as I was expecting from the renderings and other than blocking the ground part of it from street view), it's still very obvious that it's right smack in the middle of what is becoming a major part of DT.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110862...posted-public/
[IMG]downtown (10 of 10) by partyboyrrock, on Flickr[/IMG]

I'm surprised to see the the North Shore parking garage goes all the way up to the roof of the podium. Actually come to think of it, it's been mentioned before but what a waste to not use the entire too of podium for green space. I just haven't taken a good look at it from this angle. Don't see why they couldn't have capped over that part. Those people facing west just above the shorter wing have a lovely view of all those air conditioners... Maybe the sound of them humming away is soothing as they stand or sit out on the balconies.

[KevinFromTexas]

I agree. Not to mention that this is Texas and no one willingly parks on the top level of parking garages. A few years ago I was on the top level of a parking garage in San Antonio in July taking photos of the skyline. I was wearing flip flops and the pavement was burning my feet through the soles of my flip flops. I still say 360 is one of our best designed buildings. A great contributor to the skyline, nice detail, retail and it uses its outdoor spaces better than most.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I agree. Not to mention that this is Texas and no one willingly parks on the top level of parking garages. A few years ago I was on the top level of a parking garage in San Antonio in July taking photos of the skyline. I was wearing flip flops and the pavement was burning my feet through the soles of my flip flops. I still say 360 is one of our best designed buildings. A great contributor to the skyline, nice detail, retail and it uses its outdoor spaces better than most.

I'd imagine that roof parking would be for guests.