AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 62

jgouger · #**1221** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 3:31 PM**

Cool! That is great that they are renaming Town Lake after Lady Bird. That has got to be a massive undertaking with all of the businesses that refer to Town Lake.

Btw, I came across an interesting article on How Stuff Works about the crane construction process:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/tower-crane.htm

GoldenBoot · #**1222** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 3:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strayone

I could have swore I saw some floor plan diagrams of 21c somewhere on their site or elsewhere. Actually the whole layout of hotel, condo,etc. floor by floor. And after researching the 21C site I can't find the layout of the building. Where are these renditions?

The views I saw were contained in a PowerPoint presentation which was prepared for Monday’s Design Commission meeting. As for what you may have seen on their website, you may have mistaken it with another project. "21c Austin" is still in the design phase, and thus, would not have such detailed information readily available at this juncture (too many moving parts)...

ATXboom · #**1223** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 4:22 PM**

REAL ESTATE

East Austin developer makes bigger plans
Kooris seeking to build mixed-use project with up to 140 condos
Click-2-Listen
By M.B. Taboada

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Richard Kooris, a longtime East Austin landowner and developer of the Sixth & Brushy condos, has a more ambitious plan on his plate: a condo project on E. Fifth St.

The vertical mixed-use project, Block One, will include retail, offices and up to 140 condominiums. The development will be bounded by East Fifth and Sixth streets, San Marcos Street and Medina. An adjacent half-block of Medina is being reserved for a park.

Larry Kolvoord
AMERICAN-STATESMAN

(enlarge photo)
Richard Kooris

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Kooris is seeking zoning for the vertical mixed-use project today before the City Council.

The zoning typically means retail on the bottom floor and office and residential housing on top floors.

In June, Kooris wrapped up construction on the Brushy lofts, on the northeast corner of East Sixth and Brushy streets. The project has 18 residential units and six retail units.

Kooris also founded 501 Studios, a restored historic warehouse at the Interstae 35 frontage road and East Fifth that includes offices, studios and a cafe.

Kooris was a pioneer in revitalizing East Austin, buying the building on East Fifth Street in the 1970s for his film production company, which is still in operation.

He hopes Block One will be another boost to those efforts.

"We've been revitalizing the area since 1976, and we're continuing that effort," he said. "I'm hoping that the area will continue to restore itself and hoping for more people living in the area and that it turns into a good urban neighborhood."

Kooris hopes to break ground on the condominiums in late spring or early summer 2008 and to complete the project in late 2009.

Kooris is aiming to make Block One an environmentally friendly project with water recycling, rainwater harvesting and high level of thermal insulation.

Developers Perry Lorenz and Larry Warshaw sold Kooris the property. Warshaw said he is confident in Kooris' plans, partly because of his other nearby properties.

Most of the units will be one- and two-bedrooms, but Kooris expects to build several three-bedroom units. Pricing has not been set. Kooris said his goal is to keep costs at less than $300 per square foot, with the most expensive units less than $500,000.

"This project is aimed more at the middle of the market," he said. "This is not a luxury project."

Still, the units will have finished ceilings and more finished surfaces and trim elements than pure industrial lofts, Kooris said.

More residents are finding the area east of Interstate 35 an alternative to downtown's higher prices, said Roland Galang, a Realtor with Urbanspace Realtors LLP, an Austin-based firm that specializes in downtown real estate.

"It's true urban living as close as possible to the downtown core," Galang said, adding that the area's restaurants and diversity make it an attractive place to live.

"It's all about access in terms of transportation and future transportation," he said. "It's literally two or three minutes away from downtown."

The project will be within walking distance of at least one future rail stop when Capital Metro's commuter rail opens in late 2008.

Mopacs · #**1224** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATXboom

REAL ESTATE

East Austin developer makes bigger plans
Kooris seeking to build mixed-use project with up to 140 condos
Click-2-Listen
By M.B. Taboada

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Richard Kooris, a longtime East Austin landowner and developer of the Sixth & Brushy condos, has a more ambitious plan on his plate: a condo project on E. Fifth St.

The vertical mixed-use project, Block One, will include retail, offices and up to 140 condominiums. The development will be bounded by East Fifth and Sixth streets, San Marcos Street and Medina. An adjacent half-block of Medina is being reserved for a park.

Cool! Great news for near-east Austin. Are there plans/renderings floating around out there? Due to the size of the property, I'm guessing the project will be comprised of low-mid rise structures only.

AnarchistRevolution · #**1225** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 4:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkirbythegreat

So is the new park still going to be Town Lake Park, or is the going to be Lady Bird Park too?

Well, I wouldnt see why not... I mean she is the one who provided the preliminary funding for the Park/Lake and Hike and Bike trails back in the 70's/80's. Its quite appropiate... dont you think? I think It Should be Lady Bird Metro Park. But Town Lake.... I think should stay. I mean, i wouldnt mind if it changed. Not like its my Lake and i gave money to Beautify it.

MichaelB · #**1226** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 8:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strayone

^AnarchistRevolution Wellcome to the forum. Remember what happens on SSP stays on SSP. Have a great time.

Or.... what happens on SSP, stays in Las Vegas (baby!)!!!!!!

MichaelB · #**1227** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnarchistRevolution

Well, I wouldnt see why not... I mean she is the one who provided the preliminary funding for the Park/Lake and Hike and Bike trails back in the 70's/80's. Its quite appropiate... dont you think? I think It Should be Lady Bird Metro Park. But Town Lake.... I think should stay. I mean, i wouldnt mind if it changed. Not like its my Lake and i gave money to Beautify it.

BTW..... I take it your name on the forum is based in irony.... since this forum is all about celebrating highrise development and all the corporate/capitalist evils that go with it!

(category: light hearted humor)

AnarchistRevolution · #**1228** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

BTW..... I take it your name on the forum is based in irony.... since this forum is all about celebrating highrise development and all the corporate/capitalist evils that go with it!

(category: light hearted humor)

I like the humor... heehee. But, my name on the forum is the name i have because I am a Anarchist in training... in a way. lol I am also for a Anarchist Revolution because of the corruption of this country and its leader. But anywho.. thats a WHOLE other forum. LOL Dont worry guys Im all for the progressiveness that is Austin. Alot of the projects are positive things as am i being a positive person. So dont worry... i dont bite... or do i?

DTAustin · #**1229** Posted **Jul 26, 2007, 10:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

Will Wynn was on 101x this morning (I dont know why, but he seems to call in to them alot) going over this.

Basically, everything is going to be renamed Lady Bird Lake that has Town Lake in it now, but over time. They also contacted all the local businesses and non profits that have "Town Lake" in their name and got a universal blessing from them before they did it. This is something that they had been talking with her about doing in memorium of her and she was fine with that and the family supports the move.

So I guess We'll have the "Lady Bird Lake Animal Shelter", "Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail", etc. within the next few years.

I think its fitting that such a great area with alot of greenspace be named after a woman who did so much for parks in this country.

Hank Hill would love it...

I've heard that she is responsible for the hike and bike trail, and most of the wild flower programs in Texas. She was quite the outdoor enthusiast.

AnarchistRevolution · #**1230** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 12:05 AM**

She is the one who was responsible. She has funded all these beautification projects in Austin. She diserves it.

Strayone · #**1231** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 12:20 AM**

Jgoouger - "I've always wondered how they raise the height on the cranes. The only thing that I can come up with is that the existing sections are braced against the structure of the building and a crane truck lifts the boom off, and suspends it while the new sections are bolted in place. Hopefully 360 will raise their crane this weekend, as it would be quite a show to watch."

To answer your question that is not how a modern crane is risen. I think it was Kevin who posted a video of the process, I tried but couldn't find a video. Anyway it is simple, below the cab is a lift system like four big jacks that raises itself up I believe 10 or 25 ft. then a section is slipped in to place and bolted on both ends, repeat until desired height is in place, and reverse to lower the tower crane.

I haven't got a clue how the get sections that can sometimes be inside the building out, more than likely a crane of some sort, anyone?

KevinFromTexas · #**1232** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 9:01 AM**

Regarding tower cranes, I've posted a thread about them in the Texas section talking and showing how they do it.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2975097#post2975097

The Monarch goes condo. Well, some of you had been expecting it. It looks like it's official. Also they've released a new rendering.

Quote:

From the Austin American-Statesman

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
Downtown project switches from apartments to condos

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Friday, July 27, 2007

Developers of the Monarch, a 305 unit residential tower under construction on West Fifth Street, have decided to switch the project from apartments to condominiums,.

Officials with ZOM Texas Inc. said their investors this week approved the decision to sell rather than rent the units in the 29-story building, based on what they say is continued strong demand for downtown condominium living.

With a planned April 2008 completion date, the Monarch will open sooner than some other downtown projects under way. Units will be priced from the low $200,000s to $1.65 million, and will range in size from 681 square feet to 3,530 square feet.

Go here to read the full article:
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/07/27/0727monarch.html

New rendering. Click on the thumbnail for full size.

ChiPsy · #**1233** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 1:28 PM**

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/interactive_sm/05/051307_condos.html

Excellent interactive map of DT Austin condo developments -- planned and U/C. (I wish they had distinguished between the two, but otherwise it's an impressive summary.)

You guys have a lot going on down there!

Mopacs · #**1234** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 1:41 PM**

Finally we get an update! This is the most detailed rendering I've seen to date... and its not bad. Interesting window 'pattern' on the side of the building... reminds me a little of the lower floors of San Antonio's convention center hotel. Personally this is one of my favorite designs of the current batch of condos under construction... the 'butterfly' (hence monarch) crown should really look interesting on the skyline.

KevinFromTexas · #**1235** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiPsy

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/interactive_sm/05/051307_condos.html

Excellent interactive map of DT Austin condo developments -- planned and U/C. (I wish they had distinguished between the two, but otherwise it's an impressive summary.)

You guys have a lot going on down there!

Actually, that list does have some flaws. A few of the designs are old designs. One of the renderings shows the building in a totally different form, proposed by different developers and designed by a different architect. Another rendering actually shows a building in Vancouver which is designed by the same architect, but not the same building. Some of the buildings have old listings for their floor counts. Some of those have had their plans revised and are actually taller than that. And there's a few projects that are missing from the list. At least 5 are missing.

On another note, they have the T. Stacy project at 55 stories.

Here's another similar listing from the city. The city should have the Central Austin Emerging Projects list updated next month. They typically update it about every 4 months, and the last time it was updated was in April.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/emerging_poster_april07.pdf

ATXboom · #**1236** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 2:43 PM**

Good to see ZOM looking for additional property for a second tower according to the article.... great sign regarding the health fo the market.... also like how they coined Austin as the most liveable downtown between the coasts!

StoOgE · #**1237** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 4:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATXboom

Good to see ZOM looking for additional property for a second tower according to the article.... great sign regarding the health fo the market.... also like how they coined Austin as the most liveable downtown between the coasts!

Yeah, but Chicago says hi.

ATXboom · #**1238** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 4:08 PM**

Yeah... no comparison with Chicago at all. They let that one slip.

GoldenBoot · #**1239** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 4:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiPsy

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/interactive_sm/05/051307_condos.html

Excellent interactive map of DT Austin condo developments -- planned and U/C. (I wish they had distinguished between the two, but otherwise it's an impressive summary.)

You guys have a lot going on down there!

Thanks!

However, take that interactive, and the one from the City's website, with a grain of salt. Both contain a LOT of out-dated and incorrect information.

I think Emporis and UrbanAustin have a more accurate account of what's going on and are much more reliable than what the Statesman puts together! UrbanAustin possesses a bit more detail on project specifics.

Another site, Austin Towers, is okay. But, it too, is riddled with errors and old information!

KevinFromTexas · #**1240** Posted **Jul 27, 2007, 4:59 PM**

I had never heard of that Austin Towers website. Looks pretty good actually. I'd be interested in finding out where they found some heights. Several of those I don't have heights for.