AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[Mopacs]

Crestview Station moves forward with the anouncement of homebuilders. See today's statesman article below...

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/04/03/3crestview.html

Crestview Station moves forward

Developers of mixed-use community in North Austin name Meritage and Newmark as home builders.



By M.B. Taboada
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Plans are picking up speed to turn a former North Austin industrial site into the $200 million Crestview Station, which will be one of Austin's biggest transit-oriented developments.

Meritage Homes and Newmark Homes will build the 450 single-family houses at Crestview Station, where housing, offices and stores will be built on 73 acres once occupied by a Huntsman Corp. research facility.

Developers Stratus Properties Inc. and Trammell Crow Co. are expected to submit a site plan application to the city within the week.
"It will be a catalyst for redevelopment of the area," Stratus CEO Beau Armstrong said Monday.

The project, which is bordered on one side by the future Capital Metro commuter rail line, is designed as a community where people will be able to live, work and shop without having to drive.

A commuter rail station is planned for Lamar and Airport boulevards.
"Crestview Station is probably one of the most exciting projects coming together in Austin right now," said Eric DeJernett, senior vice president and a Crestview project coordinator for Trammell Crow. "People in this area really will be able to live in an environment where they don't have to have a car or at least not have to rely on a car all the time."

The homes will be on narrow lots, 25 to 30 feet wide, and prices will start in the $250,000s, Armstrong said.
High Street Residential, a Trammell Crow subsidiary, will build the multifamily component.

The mix will include live-work units and loft-style apartments.
The project will have about 150,000 square feet of retail and office space.
Developers recently completed a $3 million soil environmental cleanup of the site, bordered by North Lamar Boulevard, Morrow Street and the rail line, and are awaiting a closure letter from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The first phase, which might break ground this summer, will include 300 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail.
The retail will include restaurants, stores and probably a small grocery market.

The housing is expected to be completed by fall 2008, coinciding with the opening of the rail line.

Other multifamily units will follow market demand and probably will not be built until the first phase is complete.

Crestview "really represents the best practices nationally in urban redevelopment next to a rail station," said City Council Member Brewster McCracken, who is also a Capital Metro board member. "It's important to promote development next to the rail stop. More people will ride the rail if it's done that way."

Developers also will renovate the North Austin Optimist ball fields at the northwest corner of the site, DeJernett said.

Area residents are excited about the transformation of an industrial site into a development that fits into the neighborhood's character.
"It's going to look like a part of town that is in town versus industrial edge of town," said Katrina Daniel, president of the Highland Neighborhood Association, which represents a neighborhood across Lamar from Crestview. "We're excited about all the prospects. . . . Right now, we don't have much to walk to eat or shop. This will afford us those kinds of opportunities."

[tildahat]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Crestview Station moves forward with the anouncement of homebuilders. See today's statesman article below...
....

Crestview "really represents the best practices nationally in urban redevelopment next to a rail station," said City Council Member Brewster McCracken, who is also a Capital Metro board member. "It's important to promote development next to the rail stop. More people will ride the rail if it's done that way."

I'll save M1KE the trouble of asking: "Where are Crestview Station residents going to ride the train to?" If you work downtown, UT, the Capital, state offices at 51st, etc. the #1, #101, and rapid bus if it ever happens are your best transit options.

Having said that, I think it's a pretty good development. If they had stuck to their original "starting around $175k" estimate, I'd be interested. Don't have a quarter mil to throw around though...

[crewer]

Originally Posted by tildahat

I'll save M1KE the trouble of asking: "Where are Crestview Station residents going to ride the train to?" If you work downtown, UT, the Capital, state offices at 51st, etc. the #1, #101, and rapid bus if it ever happens are your best transit options.

Having said that, I think it's a pretty good development. If they had stuck to their original "starting around $175k" estimate, I'd be interested. Don't have a quarter mil to throw around though...

As is the case with any new rail system, you have to start someplace. Crestview Village isn't going away after a year or two. It'll be there for decades. A lot of rail will be coming beyond this first line that will better connect it to the rest of the city.

I'm not surprised with the pricing. You might have noticed that the only housing in the Mueller project in the low to mid 100's were their "affordable" units which require special qualification. The rest of the housing is in line with Crestview.

Now that the subprime is tanking and people are a lot more apprehensive about all the "creative financing" previously used to get people into unaffordable homes, it will be interesting to see if fewer people will qualify for Crestview and Mueller, and if there will be a slowdown in "closings".

[M1EK]

Originally Posted by crewer

As is the case with any new rail system, you have to start someplace. Crestview Village isn't going away after a year or two. It'll be there for decades. A lot of rail will be coming beyond this first line that will better connect it to the rest of the city.

What rail, exactly? This commuter rail line precludes running light rail as in the 2000 proposal, so we can't run reserved-guideway rail down Lamar and Guadalupe. What other rail do you mean? Shitty stuck-in-traffic streetcars?

Do you mean they'll ride up to the "second downtown"? When it requires a circulator transfer too? Unfrigginlikely. (the rail line actually running next to this project is the UP rail line, not the CM one, and there's no point to transfer between the two other than Seaholm, which is not planned to happen without a third transfer to streetcar in between).

I covered Crestview Station this morning in this crackplog.

The "have to start somewhere" line depends on the thing you're doing actually being a start to something rather than an END to it, which is what this will end up being. Remember "let's ride and then decide"? What do you think's gonna happen with the fence-sitters when they see how few people are riding this thing when it opens?

[GoldenBoot]

Notice the 412', 36-story Altavida tower in this rendering (which is currently under construction)...


From Zeigler Cooper's website:




P.S.
The Austonian's site plan is currently under review and should be approved by the City of Austin within the next month or two...

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by ivanwolf

I noticed a new sign go up at 13th and San Antonio St. for an 8 (i think) story office building. Looks like they will take up parking lot and an existing office/home to build this building. The render on the sign looks like a decent design. Who knows when it will go up. TheDupontGroup.com is the web site but I did not see any info on the web Site.

I stopped by there yesterday to take a look. I took a couple of pics of the sign, too.

Capitol Commons: There's 5 levels of what looks to be occupied floors, and 3 levels of parking, and then maybe two extras for mechanical purposes? The rendering also shows what looks to be a small spire of some sort. Not sure on the height, but the three other buildings across the street are 120 and 122 feet tall, so this one will probably be about that height.

The site is at the northeast corner of West 13th Street & San Antonio Street, directly across the street, (north) of the Executive Office Building.

[Strayone]

GoldenBoot posted this statement - Notice the 412', 36-story Altavida tower in this rendering (which is currently under construction)..
Yeah you have to think for The Austonian to show Altavida in their rendering it represents the fact that Altavida isn't a competitor, since they will be a for rent high end project. But it is interesting. Most of the renderings for other projects wont show the other buildings, even those under construction in their renderings. That segment of DT will really have a nice affect on the skyline.

[LiveattheOasis]

What's going to be nice is how dense this area of downtown will be. Does anyone have any news on Tom Stacy's building? It seems like he's waiting out construction of the Austonian, to make sure his building is at least 1 foot taller

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by LiveattheOasis

What's going to be nice is how dense this area of downtown will be. Does anyone have any news on Tom Stacy's building? It seems like he's waiting out construction of the Austonian, to make sure his building is at least 1 foot taller

My bet is that Tom is in the process of incorporating office space into the mix of offerings at Fifth & Congress. By doing so, it may take some time to formulate the amount of space for each component (retail, office, hotel and/or condo) to fit within the confines of his zoning and FAR limits. Additionally, I believe he is also keeping his eye on the condo market before moving any further with that part of the mix. Tom's already put several hundred-thousand dollars (if not already over $1M) into the project. And therefore, I do not think he's going to give up on the idea very easily.

I will assume this; there will be a building at this location in the future. When, I do not know. And the mix, size and design of the structure may very well be altered.

[ivanwolf]

Thanks Kevin, i did not spend enough time looking to figure out that those other levels are parking. I guess retail on bottom, and the 4 stories on top for offices. Wonder if the balconies are for offices or if they have a few condos in mind for the project facing the Capitol. Seems like they will have to get rid of the 2 houses/offices on the property along with the small parking lot to build it.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

My bet is that Tom is in the process of incorporating office space into the mix of offerings at Fifth & Congress. By doing so, it may take some time to formulate the amount of space for each component (retail, office, hotel and/or condo) to fit within the confines of his zoning and FAR limits. Additionally, I believe he is also keeping his eye on the condo market before moving any further with that part of the mix. Tom's already put several hundred-thousand dollars (if not already over $1M) into the project. And therefore, I do not think he's going to give up on the idea very easily.

I will assume this; there will be a building at this location in the future. When, I do not know. And the mix, size and design of the structure may very well be altered.

While mine is sheer conjecture.... my speculation tends to agree with you. Something will happen.... it is the mix that is in question. With the rise in downtown housing and the low availability of office space.... seems like time to go heavy with office space.... yes/no?

[LiveattheOasis]

I hope so, I read an article a while back about Vancouver and how they're entire downtown has become condos and hardly anyone works there anymore. They actually have traffic out to the suburbs. As much I am loving all the development downtown, we need to keep a mix.

[crewer]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

While mine is sheer conjecture.... my speculation tends to agree with you. Something will happen.... it is the mix that is in question. With the rise in downtown housing and the low availability of office space.... seems like time to go heavy with office space.... yes/no?

I would agree with that. Was just reading in the business journal how office space is scarce and expensive right now. I actually think his building will be quite successful as a multi-use tower. Downtown housing will hit a saturation point very quickly, and I'm sure he knows that. So I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he was adding more square footage to the office portion.

[crewer]

Originally Posted by LiveattheOasis

I hope so, I read an article a while back about Vancouver and how they're entire downtown has become condos and hardly anyone works there anymore. They actually have traffic out to the suburbs. As much I am loving all the development downtown, we need to keep a mix.

Yep! I mentioned that sometime ago when there was all the talk of the second round of Novare building with several new condo towers where the current post office is. I said I would sure feel more comfortable if at least one of those towers was office space. Reverse commutes would be hell after awhile.

[Jdawgboy]

I agree, I think that 5th and Congress would be a great location for more office space and I also am speculating that is what Tom Stacy thinking about as well. Time will tell I guess...

[KevinFromTexas]

I got a height for 1108 Lavaca/Texas Automobile Dealer's Association Building. This is going up at 11th & Lavaca, across the street from the Westgate Tower.

First of all, he said the crane will be completed by the 14th or 15th. He said the building is planned for completion on April 9, 2008. The official name of the building is 1108 Lavaca.

The heights:

126 feet 4 inches to the parapet on the mechanical penthouse.
119 feet 8 inches to the roof of the mechanical penthouse.
88 feet to the the mainroof.

The building will have 9 floors. The building will have 20,000 square foot floorplates up to the 7th floor, then the two penthouse levels, 8 and 9, will have about 5,000 square feet each.

Rendering: (This is the current design). By the way, this officially makes it a highrise.



I also got a revised height for the Capitol Tower which is being renovated and may possibly have another floor added to it, which would be a residential level. The old height I had for the building was 242 feet. I got that height from the Austin History Center, but it isn't an exact height since it came from GIS Maps, which measure the ground elevation from satellites, then measures building heights. I've found the heights to be off by as much as 5 to 10 feet. I recently sent an email to the property managers of the building, and he came back with a height of 246 feet for the building. This is the height to the mechanical penthouse, measuring it from 9th Street. He said with the decorative crown they're planning to add, that it will increase the building's height to 259 feet. That won't really raise the building up in the height rankings, although it'll save it from being shorter than The Shore, which is 257 feet tall.

[Strayone]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I agree, I think that 5th and Congress would be a great location for more office space and I also am speculating that is what Tom Stacy thinking about as well. Time will tell I guess...

If it were to be more of a mixed use building or even more commercial as a whole, ie. more hotel/office, I'd like to see the design change some and for sure make it bigger and taller. It would have to be a premier building. And the flying hatchet design won't cut it. I like the design for the most part, but it is mostly designed for condos on the mid/ upper levels and it is bulky one way and narrow the other. It would need more balance and sq footage per floor. Just don't make it sqwaut like so many Austin buildings. Anyone know if Stacey is set on this design.

[ivanwolf]

I was looking around and noticed the Aquaterra's web site has a slide show in the residenses section, it has what looks like pics of the model they must have. Not sure how to capture them, maybe some one can and post them. Very interesting what they are doing with the pool. I like the building above the garage but the lower half is ugly. Seems like the 20 some story building is really only 10 stories of condos though.

I also drove by Red River Flats, sorry no camera with me but they have a hole in the ground and they are starting the supports for the garage structures under the building. I have not see any post about the one so thought I would mention it.

[KevinFromTexas]

^ I'm kind of not liking it actually. The base is too slabby/bulky and bland. And the building is just too long! Geez. I do like the design of the upper portions of the tower above the garage levels, and I do like the landscaping, but the base is dull, and it's so long. I actually wouldn't mind if they made the building taller and even cut it in half and put it into two towers of about about 250 feet. That thing is going to look strange there being that long. Height doesn't ever bother me, but the size of a building's footprint definitely does. And the building will be arranged in a north/south axis, so that length is going to block some views of the hills.

Last we heard, the building was supposed to be 199 feet with 19 floors.

[crewer]

Originally Posted by ivanwolf

I was looking around and noticed the Aquaterra's web site has a slide show in the residenses section, it has what looks like pics of the model they must have. Not sure how to capture them, maybe some one can and post them. Very interesting what they are doing with the pool. I like the building above the garage but the lower half is ugly. Seems like the 20 some story building is really only 10 stories of condos though.

I agree about the lower half. The ground level floors are ridiculous! 7 to 8 floors of practically solid wall? This is one high rise that needs a redesign before construction begins, if that's possible.