AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

I remember this same discussion about the Millennium, Camden, or whatever it’s called now on Rainey. There was the “it’s better than what exists now” argument. Now it’s the black sheep of Rainey. I think waiting for a better development pays off in the long term.

[The ATX]

It will most likely be redesigned (at least on the 6th St. facing side) based on some feedback from the HLC Architectural Review Committee and staff. It was on the 6/5 HLC meeting agenda. From one of the backup files.

COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
Push upper floors back as much as possible, keeping Sixth Street façades at one and two stories like the existing noncontributing building. Avoid the warehouse-style design references, as there are no warehouses on Sixth Street; fenestration should reflect the tall and narrow windows of surrounding contributing buildings, rather than large square openings. Further articulate bays in line with the design guidelines to reflect the continuation of patterns, textures, and massing of the surrounding historic district. Review relevant examples of successful historic district infill from CNU and other cities. Rework brick colors to better reflect the surrounding buildings.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Concur with Committee feedback. Grant the applicant’s request to postpone the public hearing to July 5 th, 2024, to allow them to attend the next meeting of the Architectural Review Committee.

[PolskaFly]

Oh, that's good. More housing is good, especially within Downtown. If it is redesigned to match the surrounding architecture and not be as bland then I think it should get the go ahead.

Hopefully Downtown gets enough people living here where any future City Council members can't just uproot everything that's been worked on to now for density.

[Jdawgboy]

I agree that this isn't the best sort of use. If they have to put residential in the area, the developer MUST sound proof the residences, no exceptions. Ultimately this is something I would rather not see on that block.

[davidberko]

I'm good with this proposal getting canceled. It's super lame. El crappo

[gillynova]

I lived at The Thompson on 5th and Brazos and tbh, it wasn't even loud there. Maybe because I was higher up but the only loud noise was the fire trucks

[Urbannizer]

1500 Rio Grande

https://austin.towers.net/downtown-austin-affordable-senior-housing-planned-in-gods-backyard/

Austin’s latest YIGBY project is now in the planning stages at a half-acre property owned by St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, which happens to be one of downtown’s most striking modernist buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. What isn’t historic or striking is the overflow parking lot at 1500 Rio Grande Street, located one block west of the church building. The leadership of St. Martin’s has partnered with Austin-based developer DMA Companies to build an 83-unit affordable senior housing project, offering a mix of one- and two-bedroom units in a five-story building replacing the parking lot, designed by local architects Nelsen Partners.

This project, currently known only as 1500 Rio, would become the first income-restricted senior housing development inside downtown Austin since 1967, with approximately 72 of its 83 total units offered at rates affordable to seniors earning no more than 60 percent of the Austin area’s Median Family Income. At its meeting late last month, the city’s Planning Commission approved a rezoning for the tract, changing its office and single-family residential uses to downtown mixed-use zoning to allow the building’s construction with a maximum height of 60 feet — we would obviously like to see a taller project with more units built here, but in this specific case the height limit was requested by the developer.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

1500 Rio Grande

https://austin.towers.net/downtown-austin-affordable-senior-housing-planned-in-gods-backyard/

Wonderful use of that lot. Location and purpose are good marriage! Plus more affordable residential in City Core. Win.

[WesternSon]

Some of those units are going to have incredible views of the Capital and downtown skyline!

[drummer]

Love the brick!

[Sigaven]

The brick is going to complement that church beautifully.

[SproutingTowers]

64 Rainey Park

[The ATX]

Not tagged yet.

[WestAustinite]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Not tagged yet.

Give it about 15 minutes...

[bobbywest87]

6-13-24 Update. Since the last update the ATX Tower and 415 Colorado have topped out. By the next update Modern Austin should have topped out, and Waterline should be just about finished with it's middle section.

Republic seems to have slowed down slightly, likely in part due to its intricate floor design. Paseo is moving right along.

I still haven't found time to fix the top of The Travis in the diagrams...

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by bobbywest87

I love these. Thank you so much for doing them.

So...

Current vertical construction as a percent of total height:

Waterline - ~45%
The Republic - ~60%
ATX Tower - 100% (TO)
The Modern - ~95%
415 Colorado - 100% (TO)
The Travis - 100% (TO)
Paseo - ~75%

[drummer]

In the spirit of asking for way too much of you guys who are good at this stuff, can we see a diagram (with or without the updates - finished heights are fine) of ALL Austin towers, or perhaps the tallest 20 or so, side by side, so we can see where all of the new ones line up in the grand scheme of things?

Thanks, bobby & others, for your contributions!

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by drummer

In the spirit of asking for way too much of you guys who are good at this stuff, can we see a diagram (with or without the updates - finished heights are fine) of ALL Austin towers, or perhaps the tallest 20 or so, side by side, so we can see where all of the new ones line up in the grand scheme of things?

Thanks, bobby & others, for your contributions!

Go to the diagrams section of the forum:

https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=93

[bobbywest87]

Here's the tallest 15 from 2018, and 5.5 years later the tallest from 2024. Quite a drastic change - reminiscent of Dallas from the 80s.

Only three of the top 15 from 2018 (Austonian, Fairmont (which is kinda cheating with that spire), and 360 Condominiums) are still in the top 15.

2018



2024

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Go to the diagrams section of the forum:

https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=93

Thanks for the link, ATX.