AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 257

KevinFromTexas · #**5121** Posted **May 16, 2009, 9:53 AM**

Right now the crane is about 600 feet tall judging by one of priller's photos below. They probably will raise the crane this weekend. They rarely raise cranes during the week, and I doubt they'd have enough space below the crane until next weekend for any more floors. I think the next crane jump will probably be the last. I would imagine they'd add enough shaft pieces to clear the building by at least 50 feet for clearance for the concrete pumper on the top floor. So the crane would have to be at 733 feet to clear the building/pumper by 50 feet. But since crane shaft pieces are 20 feet tall each, they'd need 6 of them to get to 733 feet. So 6 pieces x 20 feet = 140 feet + the 600 feet that the crane is at now = 740 feet tall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strayone

I was playing discgolf today at Zilker and by the look of it The Austonian has to be as tall as Frost. Most views around town suggest this true. Anyone know what the status of #2 tallest building in town is?

They're on the 45th floor now. So, going by the elevation below that priller posted, it should be at 500 feet 2 inches tall, which makes it exactly 13 feet 5 inches shorter than the top of Frost. So it's almost there. 2 more floors and it'll officially be taller than Frost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

No need to guess, we have the elevation plans posted with the city. According to those plans, the floor of the 44th level is at 488' 5". So it's already taller than the main roof of the 360. It will have to be up to 47th floor before it's taller than Frost. And it will finally be taller than 360 when it reaches the 51st floor.

And as a reminder, the 55th floor is the "club" floor, and 56th will be for the gym.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

So, then looking at your photo, priller, I see about 4 1/2 sections of crane shaft above the building's top right now. Each of those sections is 20 feet tall, so the crane is around 90 feet over the top of the building. So the crane is probably close to 600 feet tall right now. So it should be just above where the 53rd floor will be, with the 53rd floor being at 595 feet.

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Mopacs · #**5122** Posted **May 16, 2009, 8:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Right now the crane is about 600 feet tall judging by one of priller's photos below. They probably will raise the crane this weekend. They rarely raise cranes during the week, and I doubt they'd have enough space below the crane until next weekend for any more floors. I think the next crane jump will probably be the last. I would imagine they'd add enough shaft pieces to clear the building by at least 50 feet for clearance for the concrete pumper on the top floor. So the crane would have to be at 733 feet to clear the building/pumper by 50 feet. But since crane shaft pieces are 20 feet tall each, they'd need 6 of them to get to 733 feet. So 6 pieces x 20 feet = 140 feet + the 600 feet that the crane is at now = 740 feet tall.

Wow 740 feet. That will be a monumental moment. The tallest crane to ever grace the city's skyline, or anyware for that matter.

Odd question, but what would have been the 'tallest' tower crane this town has seen...taking elevation into account? The Austonian's would be in the neighborhood of 1200-1300 feet (with ground elevation at approx 500 feet, give or take). We know that the Palisades West was constructed with a tower crane. While too long ago to recall, one would have to assume the Pinnacle and Tower of the Hills were constructed in the same manner.

Saddle Man · #**5123** Posted **May 16, 2009, 11:28 PM**

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KevinFromTexas · #**5124** Posted **May 17, 2009, 3:31 AM**

^True, but if they were to put a 250 foot crane atop Commanche Peak near the Oasis, you could sit in the cab and look over the top of the crane for The Austonian in the distance. The top of The Austonian's crane should be about 1,200 feet above sea level once it reaches its full height. Commanche Peak is 1,066 feet above sea level, so a 250 foot crane would be 1,316 feet above sea level, about 100 feet higher than the top of The Austonian's crane at sea level.

I'm not sure what was the highest crane, but yeah, I would imagine Pinnacle Campus, Palisades West I or Tower of the Hills would be up there. Each of those probably had cranes that bumped up to 200 feet tall, and since each of those buildings stands at between 900 and 1,000 feet above sea level, their cranes would be just as high as The Austonian's. Palisades West I, at 117 feet tall, is one of our shortest buildings to be classified as a high rise, but because the building stands at 1,009 feet above sea level in West Austin's hills, the top of the building is at 1,126 feet above sea level, which until The Austonian tops out, is the highest roof in Austin above sea level. The roof of the building is only a few feet lower than the crown of the Frost Bank Tower, even though Frost is 398 feet taller. Frost stands on a block in downtown that is about 481 feet above sea level, so the top of the crown is around 996 feet above sea level.

Northcrossed · #**5125** Posted **May 17, 2009, 3:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Odd question, but what would have been the 'tallest' tower crane this town has seen...taking elevation into account?

The broadcast towers in Westlake Hills were erected using a "gin pole" or self-climbing crane. KXAN's tower, for example, is 1,150 feet tall (and on a hill, so overall 1,992 feet above mean sea level) according to the FCC website.

photoLith · #**5126** Posted **May 17, 2009, 4:56 AM**

I cant wait to see downtown again! 1 week and Ill be sure to take plenty of photos! YAY

KevinFromTexas · #**5127** Posted **May 17, 2009, 6:06 AM**

Was at the airport today. There's a serious skyline view growing along Texas 71.

May is blah for skyline photos though.

bisonmountain · #**5128** Posted **May 17, 2009, 6:46 PM**

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I've been wondering for some time why it is that one floor on the Austonian appears to be taller than the rest? It appears to be around the 30th floor. I drive by the building everyday and can't seem to figure out the reason. Thanks in advance for your responses.

hookem · #**5129** Posted **May 17, 2009, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bisonmountain

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I've been wondering for some time why it is that one floor on the Austonian appears to be taller than the rest? It appears to be around the 30th floor. I drive by the building everyday and can't seem to figure out the reason. Thanks in advance for your responses.

It's a mechanical floor (floor 30), probably extra height for the equipment to be used there.. possibly for raised floor/dropped ceiling to accommodate duct work or extra electrical.

hookem · #**5130** Posted **May 17, 2009, 8:06 PM**

I was on CNN.com today, and I was surprised to see a banner ad with a pic that looked like Star Riverside. Sure enough, it was iBidCondo with that charity auction thing -- http://ibidcondo.com/auctions. They are located in SD but their site is full of Austin pics.

jowens · #**5131** Posted **May 18, 2009, 3:55 PM**

I'm assuming all of our "Austinite Photo Wizards" are out taking advantage of this awesome weather; with NO HAZE and snapping some pictorial beauties!!

Mopacs · #**5132** Posted **May 18, 2009, 4:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jowens

I'm assuming all of our "Austinite Photo Wizards" are out taking advantage of this awesome weather; with NO HAZE and snapping some pictorial beauties!!

The weather is incredible. Its not that common we the atmosphere clear of haze this late in the Spring.

I grabbed a few shots this morning from here in central Austin.

StoOgE · #**5133** Posted **May 18, 2009, 10:30 PM**

I just got back from NYC for 2 weeks.

1) Fog/clouds the entire flight up, no views of DT Austin or DT New York when I landed.

2) Storms the whole way home (Sat morning) no views of DT Austin coming home either.

3) Austin's skyline is not as sad looking as it normally is when I come back from NYC/Chicago. Even after Frost went up, Austin would look short and stubby when I came home. It is actually still pretty impressive now. Mind you, it *is* short and Stubby compared to Manhattan. Just not as short and stubby as last time I came back.

KevinFromTexas · #**5134** Posted **May 19, 2009, 4:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jowens

I'm assuming all of our "Austinite Photo Wizards" are out taking advantage of this awesome weather; with NO HAZE and snapping some pictorial beauties!!

I went yesterday and took some, then again today too.

MichaelB · #**5135** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:19 AM**

Don't look now... but there has no work on the former "La Vista" for about 2 weeks.

KevinFromTexas · #**5136** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:24 AM**

That building needs some Viagra. lol

priller · #**5137** Posted **May 19, 2009, 4:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookem

It's a mechanical floor (floor 30), probably extra height for the equipment to be used there.. possibly for raised floor/dropped ceiling to accommodate duct work or extra electrical.

They spent at least 3 weeks on that one level. Lots of concrete poured. If you notice from the plans for floor 31, there are only 2 units for sale, each about 3800 sf. Those would probably be incredibly nice units, with no neighbors, possibly taller ceilings, huge size. If anyone has a few million $$$ laying around....

Downtown_Austin · #**5138** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

They spent at least 3 weeks on that one level. Lots of concrete poured. If you notice from the plans for floor 31, there are only 2 units for sale, each about 3800 sf. Those would probably be incredibly nice units, with no neighbors, possibly taller ceilings, huge size. If anyone has a few million $$$ laying around....

Conversely, the southern facing units at the Austonian which are under the 30th floor, with substantially blocked views of the lake by 100 Congress and the Ashton, aren't going to have much sunlight through out the day either. I expect wheelin and dealin to move those units.

zx14 · #**5139** Posted **May 20, 2009, 12:16 AM**

how about those pics yall took yesterday. Is the crane up to 740 yet? You guys must be too busy with those women that were hitting on you in the last set of pics. Just kidding. Thanks any pics are always appreciated.

OU812 · #**5140** Posted **May 20, 2009, 2:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

I just got back from NYC for 2 weeks.

1) Fog/clouds the entire flight up, no views of DT Austin or DT New York when I landed.

2) Storms the whole way home (Sat morning) no views of DT Austin coming home either.

3) Austin's skyline is not as sad looking as it normally is when I come back from NYC/Chicago. Even after Frost went up, Austin would look short and stubby when I came home. It is actually still pretty impressive now. Mind you, it *is* short and Stubby compared to Manhattan. Just not as short and stubby as last time I came back.

Austin's skyline vs. NYC (& Chicago) is really an applies to oranges comparison. Esp NYC...it's not only the height but the sheer density of Manhattan skyscrapers that's on a whole different planet/solar-system/galaxy than Austin's. The 1st time I visited in '99, the plane flew alongside the island on the way to LaGuardia. I sat on the right side with a perfect view under clear skys. The plane even banked to the right for an even better view as we approached lower Manhattan. I was absolutely stunned.....There must be over 1000 high rises on that island alone.. The largest skyline I had seen previous to that trip was Dallas', and I thought Austin's was tiny in comparison;-))