AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[Strayone]

Welcome back Kevin, It's good that your feeling better and up and running.

[Dragonfire]

Originally Posted by zx14

They are doing something atop the spire!!!

Yeah, I just looked at the webcam and there's something sitting horizontally on the spire. Could be the top part of the spire, although that's an odd place to put it.

[brianpm14]

Block 21 - They were drilling 6' deep core samples in a grid pattern all over block 21 on December 19. Had a neat little track mounted "robot" drilling rig, about the side of a Bobcat skid loader that was doing the drilling. Trying to figure out where the steel, glass, and terra cotta split-columns are being used downtown. They were delivered about a week ago, and have not seen much activity to move them.

Monarch- Am I the last person to note that the roof on Monarch looks like butterfly wings, hence the name "Monarch"?

Austonian - First section of tower crane is sitting in the foundation pit. With 3 drilling rigs going, they should be done with foundation piers soon.

Merry Christmas to All.

[priller]

Originally Posted by brianpm14

Monarch- Am I the last person to note that the roof on Monarch looks like butterfly wings, hence the name "Monarch"?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

No, seriously, I don't think anyone here understood the significance of the name until we were told by the developer a few months back.

[Sexas]

Originally Posted by brianpm14

Monarch- Am I the last person to note that the roof on Monarch looks like butterfly wings, hence the name "Monarch"?

So...it will turn in to a beautiful butterfly building and die in a month?

[DTAustin]

Originally Posted by JGFrisco

I have sent emails with questions about 21c to their realtor contact and construction contact. No response from either. Take that for what it's worth.

I heard grumblings that 21C realized they didn't plan for enough parking spaces. They were talking with neighboring properties about expanding their parking options but decided the adjoining properties were too expensive. They will most likely end up digging deeper or putting an additional parking garage on the northwest corner of 3rd and San Jac, which was the Whitley surface lot and part of their purchase.

I received an email from DANA (Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association) indicating that 21C was one of their booth sponsors for one of the downtown Christmas events.

This leads me to believe that 21C isn't dead, but is rethinking their plans. I'm fairly certain that the project will happen, but may take a little longer to break ground.

[Saddle Man]

Well I just walked by there office a few minutes ago (11 or 11:15am), and the front door was locked. This still better be a go, or I'll be pissed.

[Jdawgboy]

Don't get too jittery guys, remember Christmas is around the corner. Im suprised anybody is getting anything done this time of year. Im sure we will hear some news on projects as well as actually see some start once we get into January.

[MichaelB]

Hello All and Happy Holidays!

Walked up Lavaca today at 4th. Core drilling going on in the parking lot by Gingerman. So does anyone know if the condo going there will take that entire half of the block?

[ATXboom]

Take it easy... 21C is solid... needs no investors [all private] and half of the biz proposition is based on a much needed hotel. They couldn't proceed till 08due to Whitley's lease - see below. I have no knowledge on Stacey's proposed project but the Bank has moved... a similar step akin to what we are seeing pre 21C ground breaking. That means Stacey has not revenue on his books now... if he fills the void with another lease then you know its off... watch the next 6 months closely. He will not make another media splash too early again... hurts credibility. You will hear something when it starts and is a go... not before.


Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 2:17 PM CST

Whitley Printing moving south to make room for downtown high-riseAustin Business Journal - by A.J. Mistretta

The Whitley Printing Co., which has called downtown Austin home for more than a half-century, is relocating and expanding its operations in South Austin.

The business-to-business printing company is trading in its 38,000-square-foot plant at 301 Brazos Street for an expansive new 48,000-square-foot headquarters at 4129 Commercial Center Drive. The company has inked a 10-year lease with an option to expand into an adjacent building if necessary. The move should be complete in the next couple weeks and will make room for the new 21c high-rise on Brazos that will feature a 230-room hotel, contemporary museum and 209 condos.

Whitley anticipates an 8.5 percent rise in revenue in the next year via additional business and plans to add to its 78-person staff to accommodate that growth. The company already has employees working in two shifts and plans to add a third shift in the near future.

Whitley CEO Kevin Cassis says the company will commemorate the 301 Brazos plant by recreating its façade in the lobby of the new building, complete with street lanterns and planters from the downtown location.

The new offices are designed to accommodate maximum efficiency and organized workflow, says Cassis. Though bigger than the existing space, the new location will actually use the same amount of energy, according to the company.

"Every measure has been taken to ensure that we will be operating out of a highly sustainable facility, from our recycling and air purification methods, to the lighting, heating and cooling system," says Cassis.

[ATXboom]

The only project I am concerned about is Four Seasons... they have moved very slow and really should have beat some of the other luxury properties to market... but didn't. 21C will move fast.

[MichaelB]

I was just at the 21c in Louisville and folks there said it was still on.

And the Whitley CO. completed it's move this week!

[zx14]

Thanks for all the info on 21c looks like its going to happen soon. But if they have to dig deep to make enough parking then i believe the Austonian will be well on its way on its journey skyward and the Spring and Legacy topped out before 21c even peeps its head above the surface.

[JGFrisco]

That's good news with regard to 21c. I'm still a bit skeptical, just based on the unusual nature of the project.

[KevinFromTexas]

Here's a few pics I took during my hiatus.







Fiddlin' with features.




I ran up the observation hill at Town Lake Park. It was so cold up there that day. I think the temperature was around 38F, but man, that wind was numbing.

[JGFrisco]

That's a cool effect with the grayscale look. How did you do it?

[Jdawgboy]

Check the news either KEYE or KXAN they may be talking about the Four Seasons Tower. They fenced up the site even though the parking lot is still open it does look like they are on the verge of breaking ground. I saw both news vans out near the site.

[zx14]

We have talked alot about the down town projects but does anyone know the current info on the projects being considered for the mopac 183 area.

[Gallup]

Originally Posted by ATXboom

The only project I am concerned about is Four Seasons... they have moved very slow and really should have beat some of the other luxury properties to market... but didn't. 21C will move fast.

You can lay all of your Four Seasons worries to rest, this project is moving forward. I’ve got it from solid sources that their sales have been great and they are preparing to breakground. Merry Christmas!

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by JGFrisco

That's a cool effect with the grayscale look. How did you do it?

Thanks. It's a feature on Paint Shop Pro which is the photo editing software I use. It's pretty easy to do, just take any photo and hit the button. You can change the intensity and depth of the effect. Some shots have greater effect with it, especially skyline shots or silhouettes.

Here's a few more.

First, the original:


And the effect.


And another with the birds and Frosty.