AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 40

TXLove · #**781** Posted **May 21, 2007, 1:41 PM**

^^^great updates Mopacs!!!

GoldenBoot · #**782** Posted **May 21, 2007, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Anchors for the 2nd phase of The Domain have been anounced; a 200,000 sq ft-3 story Dillards (Austin's 5th), Dick's Sporting Goods (1st of at least 2 planned in Austin area), an upscale 8 screen theater and a Westin Hotel. I believe this is planned for the southern end of the development, closer to Braker Lane? Here's an article from today's paper:

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/05/19/19dillards.html

Dillard's to open fifth Austin store at Domain

Movie theater, Dick's Sporting Goods also moving into center.

By Shonda Novak, Lilly Rockwell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, May 19, 2007

Central Texas is getting a fifth Dillard's store, as part of an expansion of the upscale Domain shopping center in North Austin.

The new part of the center, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009, will have a 200,000-square-foot, three-story Dillard's store, along with a Dick's Sporting Goods and also a movie theater with eight auditoriums.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. announced the tenants Friday.
The first part of the Domain, which opened in March, includes a Neiman Marcus, a Macy's and a variety of high-end retailers, plus office space and 390 luxury apartments that are integrated into the outdoor shopping center.

The new section is expected to encompass 300,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, 75,000 square feet of office space, 350 luxury apartments and a Westin hotel.
Dillard's Inc. has three stores in Central Texas: at Highland Mall, Barton Creek Mall and Lakeline Mall.

A fourth store will co-anchor the Hill Country Galleria shopping center in the Village of Bee Cave. That center is scheduled to open in September.
A news release from Simon says the store's design and merchandise will reflect the department store chain's "renewed focus on upscale and contemporary fashion."
Dillard's did not return calls Friday.

Jill Rowe, president of Rowe Investments, an Austin-based retail brokerage, said it's common to see a Dillard's near a Macy's.
"While they compete, the synergy complements one another also," Rowe said. "It will make the area an even more dominant trade area. "
Rowe said Dillard's has been aggressive in Central Texas, "positioning themselves as a leader in all of the dominant trade areas of Austin."

"I predict we will see additional expansion from them in the near future in the suburbs," she said. "The region can easily support the Domain store, as well as additional stores in outlying areas."
"The Domain area is positioned to be the dominant retail trade area of Austin. This is only the beginning."

Dick's, a Pittsburgh-based sporting goods chain, will enter the Austin market with its 75,000-square-foot, two-story Domain store.
The company, which had $3.1 billion in sales last year, has 294 stores but plans to grow to as many as 800.

The chain sells a full-line of sporting goods including traditional bats and gloves, shoes, elliptical exercise machines and golf equipment, including indoor driving ranges.

Dick's recently acquired Golf Galaxy Inc., which is a major competitor to Austin-based Golfsmith Inc.

The Domain's movie theater will be a Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinema.
Simon says the theater will be "unlike anything else offered in Austin," with food and alcohol served in its auditoriums that each will seat about 40 people.

[email protected]; 445-3856

Just to make sure things are CLEAR (the media keeps screwing this up)…

The development being referred to in the article above is the “Domain Crossing” and not actually the second phase of the “Domain!”

The ACTUAL second phase of the “Domain,” which includes the hotels, Nordstrom, and a fourth anchor, is not expected to open until late 2010 or early 2011.

It bugs the heck out of me that the media is being so lazy about properly identifying these as two completely separate developments – which they are.

The design and tenant mix of the “Domain Crossing” will not be on the same par as is seen in the “Domain.” For anyone who has been to Dallas, it’s similar to comparing the Dallas Galleria to Valley View Mall. Both are right next to each other, but have different tenant mixes.

Also, Simon Property Group is the sole developer of the “Domain Crossing,” while Endeavor Real Estate group is developing the “Domain.” Try to think of it this way, the Hill Country Galleria is being developed by one group – at the same time, the Shops at the Galleria are being developed by a completely separate company. The only difference here is that there is not a major road separating the two developments.

In any case, both the “Domain” and “Domain Crossing” are going to awesome places to live, work and play in the coming years!

Mopacs · #**783** Posted **May 21, 2007, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Just to make sure things are CLEAR (the media keeps screwing this up)…

The development being referred to in the article above is the “Domain Crossing” and not actually the second phase of the “Domain!”

The ACTUAL second phase of the “Domain,” which includes the hotels, Nordstrom, and a fourth anchor, is not expected to open until late 2010 or early 2011.

It bugs the heck out of me that the media is being so lazy about properly identifying these as two completely separate developments – which they are.

The design and tenant mix of the “Domain Crossing” will not be on the same par as is seen in the “Domain.” For anyone who has been to Dallas, it’s similar to comparing the Dallas Galleria to Valley View Mall. Both are right next to each other, but have different tenant mixes.

Also, Simon Property Group is the sole developer of the “Domain Crossing,” while Endeavor Real Estate group is developing the “Domain.” Try to think of it this way, the Hill Country Galleria is being developed by one group – at the same time, the Shops at the Galleria are being developed by a completely separate company. The only difference here is that there is not a major road separating the two developments.

In any case, both the “Domain” and “Domain Crossing” are going to awesome places to live, work and play in the coming years!

Correct, this has been very confusing for me as well. I've always identified the Domain Crossing as the 2nd phase... perhaps we should say 2nd phase of Simon's development. Anyway, the movie theater concept sounds very intriguing, and differentiates itself from the mainstream theaters nearby. I'm guessing it will feature arthouse/independent films?

Dick's Sporting Goods is in the midst of a significant expansion into Texas. Simon has another one planned for Lakeline Mall. Dillard's has been very active in the mixed-use development trend. It seems they are associated with every other project of this scale (Hill Country Galleria, Firewheel Town Center, etc. etc.)

priller · #**784** Posted **May 21, 2007, 3:27 PM**

Don't have a picture to show, but I noticed yesterday that the Austin Music Hall is being torn down. I think I've read they're going to rebuild it, is that correct?

Might also mention that the Brazos Place condo building is really coming along, too. It's starting to look quite finished on the outside, with balconies and new blue color scheme. Wish I had my camera with me yesterday.

Strayone · #**785** Posted **May 21, 2007, 5:10 PM**

^ That is correct they had a ceremony last week to begin demolishing the building. I always thought they were going to do a renovation, not recontruction. It looks like something that will complement the area. It has alot of glass, I couldn't get into the archives but below is what I could access from their site.

Bringing the house down
Author:
Date: May 19, 2007 Publication: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Page Number: B01 ${ Word Count: 91

The Austin Music Hall has hosted its last show – at least in its current incarnation. The facility, where such big names as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen played, was demolished to make way for a new hall with more seating and superior acoustics. Ralph Barrera AMERICAN-STATESMAN

As workers began to level the hall, Direct Events owner Tim O'Connor, fifth from right, led the applause.

DIRECT EVENTS

The Austin Music Hall will seat 4,000 with improved sight

Mopacs · #**786** Posted **May 21, 2007, 5:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

Don't have a picture to show, but I noticed yesterday that the Austin Music Hall is being torn down. I think I've read they're going to rebuild it, is that correct?

Might also mention that the Brazos Place condo building is really coming along, too. It's starting to look quite finished on the outside, with balconies and new blue color scheme. Wish I had my camera with me yesterday.

Yep! I took a pic yesterday but forgot to upload. Nevertheless, the music hall is visible at the bottom left corner of the 360 webcam. The whole east-facing wall has come down... you can zoom in to get a fairly clear shot.

http://novare.oxblue.com/austin360/index.html

Also, the 20th floor of 360 is about half complete, as of this PM...

StoOgE · #**787** Posted **May 21, 2007, 8:34 PM**

Bass concert hall at the PAC was shut down today as well to undergo its renovation.

Concert halls really are getting a major overhaul in Austin all at once. The more the merrier I say.

Granted this is more of a play/classical concert/speach venu, but they do get concerts as well.

KevinFromTexas · #**788** Posted **May 21, 2007, 10:26 PM**

Great shots as usual, Mopacs. Those South Austin views are nice. The skyline is really stretching westward there.

crewer · #**789** Posted **May 21, 2007, 10:42 PM**

Sure is great to know that the downtown condos going up are being marketed as College Condominiums.

The idea for CollegeCondominiums.com was born of frustration over finding the college condo developer's web site when searching for student condo developments using search engines. Returned results usually include the sites of newspapers, realtors(agent), apartment directories, MLS sites, etc.

We created CollegeCondominiums.com to create a simple search and direct link. Search for college condos by state or school. The college condos are listed alphabetically with a direct link.

sakyle04 · #**790** Posted **May 21, 2007, 11:38 PM**

Quote:

Sure is great to know that the downtown condos going up are being marketed as College Condominiums.

I can't tell if that was sarcastic. No matter, it almost looks like Google Ads on the page, nothing original at all.

bigdogc · #**791** Posted **May 21, 2007, 11:58 PM**

i dont know any UT students that would ever consider living in 5fity5, or 360. that website has no actual condos that 99% of UT students live in. nevertheless, the idea is a good idea and might catch on.

AllBusiness · #**792** Posted **May 22, 2007, 1:17 AM**

Been following the Austin forums for months now and finally decided to become a registered user! I just wanted to say hello to all of the regular contributors and thank you for all of the hard work, opinions, photos, etc. Great community you guys have here in the Austin thread!

As far as UT students living in downtown condos- I think it may be more common that many expect. When I was in school a few years ago I knew a number of students whose parents set them up in $500k+ condos near campus and along Lamar. Had there been a market for something downtown, I don't doubt they would have considered it. I'm still skeptical that students would locate their parent's investment properties on a college condo directory site, but you never know.

crewer · #**793** Posted **May 22, 2007, 1:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakyle04

I can't tell if that was sarcastic. No matter, it almost looks like Google Ads on the page, nothing original at all.

It was sarcasm. I don't want to see college students moving into these buildings, for obvious reasons.

MichaelB · #**794** Posted **May 22, 2007, 1:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBusiness

Been following the Austin forums for months now and finally decided to become a registered user! I just wanted to say hello to all of the regular contributors and thank you for all of the hard work, opinions, photos, etc. Great community you guys have here in the Austin thread!

As far as UT students living in downtown condos- I think it may be more common that many expect. When I was in school a few years ago I knew a number of students whose parents set them up in $500k+ condos near campus and along Lamar. Had there been a market for something downtown, I don't doubt they would have considered it. I'm still skeptical that students would locate their parent's investment properties on a college condo directory site, but you never know.

Welcome!
And you are correct. There are plenty of UT students living in downtown condos. Many are purchased by parents who will either sell them for profit (hopefully!), keep them for investment or, as one of my new neighbors said this week..... "when the kids are done with school, this place is ours!"

Strayone · #**795** Posted **May 22, 2007, 2:35 AM**

Wellcome aboard Allbusiness, enjoy the forum.

KevinFromTexas · #**796** Posted **May 22, 2007, 2:52 AM**

Welcome to the forum, AllBusiness.

sakyle04 · #**797** Posted **May 22, 2007, 3:04 AM**

Quote:

It was sarcasm. I don't want to see college students moving into these buildings, for obvious reasons.

Thanks for clarifying. And I agree, although a couple of the regulars (UT Urban folks) around here would probably do us proud. I guess if Mom and Dad can bankroll it, there isn't much that can be done to stop it.

For the record, I don't think the college me would have been a very good neighbor in a $400K condo.

ivanwolf · #**798** Posted **May 22, 2007, 3:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strayone

^ Ivanwolf I'm trying to figure out where the 2nd picture was taken from, it's not often I see the Hyatt swallow up that much of the horizon. But I can't think of how you got such a high view from the south side.

I took the pic from the top of the parking garage for the Palmer Events Center. As for the top pic its from the parking garage behind the Texas Land and Cattle and I-Hop resturaunts off Mopac and Bee Caves.

AustinGuy · #**799** Posted **May 22, 2007, 4:21 AM**

Has The Monarch gone condo? Their website sure seems to imply it:

http://www.monarchaustin.com/

GoldenBoot · #**800** Posted **May 22, 2007, 4:48 AM**

Great find, AustinGuy. I don't know? If so, that's a pretty interesting move on Zom's part...