AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 99

brianpm14 · #**1961** Posted **Nov 30, 2007, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

I think that when altavida is finished you will start to see some of the most change because spring, austionian, and the w project will start going upwards hopefully. Can't wail till june

I believe Altavida is going slow since they are building the sloping parking floors and cannot use the slide in tables for setting the concrete. They have half a city block of +/-4 floors of parking below ground and +4 more above ground, best I can figure is they are including parking for the adjacent building.

On the Austonian, why are they all wearing white bunny suits and respirators on the work site, did they find something in the soil?

JGFrisco · #**1962** Posted **Nov 30, 2007, 9:38 PM**

I just looked at the Austonian pix - no idea why they're wearing enviro suits. Surely if anything was lurking, the Altavida site would have found it too?

Back to the pix - check out the size of the rebar cage lying on the ground by the worker. That must be at least five feet in diameter, maybe larger, using the worker, the auger, and the hole casing lying beyond the equipement as a guide. 75' long, 5-6' in diameter. Those are pretty serious caissons. But this building looks to have a slenderness ratio of at least 4-1 or 5-1. Remember when I said that the foundation would have to be very beefy? These are all that.

Strayone · #**1963** Posted **Dec 1, 2007, 2:06 AM**

The white suits did seem strange I imagined it had something to do with security or to simply have a dress code, maybe the company prefers conformity. I can't see if they are wearing respirators, if so it is most likely a precaution.

priller · #**1964** Posted **Dec 1, 2007, 5:56 AM**

My guess is that they are rain suits. It was cold that morning, and I noticed when the drills came up the mud on them were giving off steam. I figured they must be injecting hot water, presumably to help loosen up the dirt as they drill. Then when they spin the mud off the drill bits it flies around pretty good. And keep in mind they had 4 of these drilling machines working. In fact, the whole are appeared pretty damp. So I assume the suits were to keep their clothes from being pelted with mud.

tildahat · #**1965** Posted **Dec 3, 2007, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

If Austin is so green why do we use commuter Rail instead of light rail?

Part of how we Keep Austin Weird is by opposing light rail, Smart Growth, any and all density, anything other than suburban SF-3 zoning in "urban neighborhoods" and then patting ourselves on our collective back for being so "green".

Sexas · #**1966** Posted **Dec 3, 2007, 8:30 PM**

Yea I finally get myself in this forum

Saddle Man · #**1967** Posted **Dec 3, 2007, 8:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tildahat

Part of how we Keep Austin Weird is by opposing light rail, Smart Growth, any and all density, anything other than suburban SF-3 zoning in "urban neighborhoods" and then patting ourselves on our collective back for being so "green".

Sooo true. So very, very true.

jgouger · #**1968** Posted **Dec 4, 2007, 4:59 PM**

By the way if anyone is looking for something interesting to do this weekend, The Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet in the Domain Campus) is having a gingerbread house competition on Saturday from 10 - 3. Its open to the public also.

My friend was considering entering, and I jokingly suggested that his gingerbread house be dog friendly, have light retail on the bottom and the rest be a mixed use development. The whole concept also had to be made from sustainable, environmentally friendly cookies!

hookem · #**1969** Posted **Dec 4, 2007, 6:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgouger

My friend was considering entering, and I jokingly suggested that his gingerbread house be dog friendly, have light retail on the bottom and the rest be a mixed use development. The whole concept also had to be made from sustainable, environmentally friendly cookies!

lol... plus, 10% of his gingerbread house should be reserved for households making below the median income, and be designed around the gingerbread capitol view corridor.

Sexas · #**1970** Posted **Dec 4, 2007, 7:01 PM**

I will have a final walk through on the 10th for my unit at Bridges on the Park, I go post pictures once I done with them (so far: three months delay and counting, fixture missing...)

hopefully you don't see a headline about Chinese killing real estate developer on the 11th.

zx14 · #**1971** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 1:29 AM**

Must be awsome in austin now. Exciting to say the least. Here in lexington they may never build tall again. However we did have a taller building in the 5/3 tower at 410 feet untill frosty came to austin.

Strayone · #**1972** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 2:13 AM**

I did a search for 5/3 in Lexington and I conclude it is now called the Lexington Financial Center. It is a fine building as well as the city by the looks of the city photo's. Your new city of residence surely will see some new highrise construction in the future, hopefully!

priller · #**1973** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 3:11 PM**

From yesterday morning. Very bright sun, dark shadows, not the best conditions for taking photos.

Altavida is now almost as high as CSC next door:

Making progress much faster now:

The front, non-tower portion is now up to street level:

Still digging the piles at the Austonian site. I just wanted everyone to see the size of the drill bits they're using. The columns they're putting in are beefy:

These crazy people have been washing the windows at One Congress Plaza all week:

priller · #**1974** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sexas

I will have a final walk through on the 10th for my unit at Bridges on the Park, I go post pictures once I done with them (so far: three months delay and counting, fixture missing...)

One of these?

WestAustinite · #**1975** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 5:14 PM**

FYI, the COA has posted an updated Emerging Projects map and associated descriptions. Not much that's new but have a look:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/default.htm#emerging

Complex01 · #**1976** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 5:41 PM**

Nice pics piller...

Sexas · #**1977** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

One of these?

Yap facing Lee Barton that side (a better side), I just don't like facing Lamar, too close to all the cars.

Funny to see they have "FOUR" "LAST ONE" there...lol

Strayone · #**1978** Posted **Dec 5, 2007, 10:07 PM**

Yeah it does look like Altavida is catching some steam, this nice weather is sure to be welcomed by all the crews working on the construction projects DT. How long until we start to see the columns peak out from the ground level on The Austonian? Thanks again for the updated photo's Priller and keep them coming!

zx14 · #**1979** Posted **Dec 6, 2007, 3:44 AM**

There is the famous Austin christmas tree on the 360 sight. Also, did anyone stand infront of the 360 near the street level sign over the last year. Smile every 20 minutes or so it takes a picture. whell not that close but me and my two oldest children did just that when we visited. There we are July 4th at 3:26 pm. Kids got a kick out of that.

priller · #**1980** Posted **Dec 6, 2007, 3:56 AM**

Got off a little early for work today, so I took a few minutes to get some photos of this site.

Milago in the background:

From the other side: