AUSTIN | The Austonian | 683 FT / 208 M | 56 FLOORS | T/O - Page 22

AustinSkyscrapers · #**421** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 10:25 PM**

http://www.russellandmichelle.net/wedding_site/austin.html

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4307264
By: Mopacs

urbanactivist · #**422** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 10:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookem

Something I don't understand is why the state-wide significance of the Austonian isn't mentioned more. I know the "tallest residential building in the West" is claimed by the builders, and the tallest residential in Texas/tallest tower outside of Houston and Dallas facts are on emporis. But what seems more amazing to me (please correct if I am wrong):

* When complete, the Austonian will be the tallest building built in Texas since 1987
* Currently, The Austonian is the tallest building under construction in Texas since 1987
* Currently, the Austonian has the only 50th - 53rd floors in Texas since 1987

Think about it... when you walk out onto a floor labeled "51" anywhere in Texas, it will either be the Austonian or a building at least 22 years old! And 1987, when the last building of this height or higher was built in our state, was during the oil boom. What was going on at the time?

* The TV show Dallas was still on the air
* Reagan was president
* The Soviet Union still existed
* The Berlin Wall still existed
* The web and internet didn't exist (well, technically it was in universities & govt... but effectively it did not exist)

....so, is the Austonian the most significant building built in Texas since the oil boom?

The tallest since the oil boom?? Yes.

The tallest residential?? Yes.

The most significant?? Maybe...

-What's the LEED certification?
-Is the design up for any major architectural awards?
-Other than being the tallest, how is this building "doing something" significant for Austin and Central Texas? People already live in other places downtown, so IMO that's not so significant.

It is of course going to be a landmark building for our state, but the most significant remains to be seen. Can't wait till it tops out.

priller · #**423** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 4:41 AM**

From today. Platforms moved up for floor 54!! That's the top penthouse floor. 55 will be the "club" level and 56 will be the health club.

hookem · #**424** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 6:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanactivistTX

The tallest since the oil boom?? Yes.

The tallest residential?? Yes.

The most significant?? Maybe...

-What's the LEED certification?
-Is the design up for any major architectural awards?
-Other than being the tallest, how is this building "doing something" significant for Austin and Central Texas? People already live in other places downtown, so IMO that's not so significant.

This is the sort of discussion I'd like to see! I'm obviously not up on all the buildings that have gone up in Dallas and Houston, I am curious what contenders you might be thinking of as more significant re: LEED certification or architecture.

As far as LEED certification, the Austonian has been focusing on the city's star rating system (very strict, from what I've heard).. they are aiming for 4 stars, which is supposed to be equivalent to LEED Gold certification. They are using all low-VOC paints, they are connected to the Austin's downtown chilled-water A/C system (no electricity), and they are building a rainwater collection system. The info is here: http://www.theaustonian.com/features.php

As for what the building is doing for Texas -- I'd say it's helping (along with some other towers) cement the idea of high-rise, green, and dense residential in our state. I believe it's existence may eventually help "re-start" high-rise building in Texas. If they are successful, and the budget isn't outrageous, I can see proposals in other cities pointing to the Austonian as proof that these heights are practical for their next office/residential project. You must admit, Texas had all but abandoned the taller high-rise construction over the past two decades, in favor of suburban low-rise and mid rise construction. CBDs all over the state were neglected, IMO. If it weren't for the economy, this would be helping reverse that trend.

CHAPINM1 · #**425** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 7:10 AM**

Not to get off topic, but Houston seems to be starting up again as well.

AustinSkyscrapers · #**426** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 2:14 PM**

But not by too much.

AusTex · #**427** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photolitherland

What Id really really like to see is a photo of the skyline from the same place taken in like 1999 or something compared to austin now.

Agreed. This comparison will amaze all of us. We have seen a great decade of change and if the economy allows the current proposed projects to move along Austin will have a stunning skyline in 2019.

Wattleigh · #**428** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 6:09 PM**

I really like what this tower is doing for the surrounding skyline. Initially, I wasn't certain how it would look in the end, since so many times the process between the first rendering and a dedication ceremony is somewhat of a letdown when the building is completed. This one is a pleasant surprise though.

To the photographers: Are there certain locations or parks that you use to get your shots of this structure? I'd like to know for future reference, because I may be in the area in upcoming weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinSkyscrapers

But not by too much.

Currently, there are 58 projects in various states of construction in Houston (23 of which are skyscrapers or highrises), compared to 22 in Austin (9 of which are skyscrapers or highrises), according to the data I was able to pull from Emporis. Not to make it a pissing match or anything, but the statement is just goofy.

CHAPINM1 · #**429** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 7:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinSkyscrapers

But not by too much.

True, but at least it is. I'm still pretty excited seeing what's going on.

AusTex · #**430** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 9:25 PM**

[QUOTE]=Wattleigh;4365617]Currently, there are 58 projects in various states of construction in Houston (23 of which are skyscrapers or highrises), compared to 22 in Austin (9 of which are skyscrapers or highrises), according to the data I was able to pull from Emporis.[QUOTE]

How many of these buildings are in the CBD for each city? Houston has a lot of tall buildings outside their downtown, while Austins' are mostly downtown. 23 and 9 buildings under construction are about equal as a ratio to the respective metro populations.

I would be interested in knowing how many have residential in them as well. Austin's boom is in residential...but I do not know what is being built in downtown Houston right now.

AustinSkyscrapers · #**431** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 9:46 PM**

Austonian site still thinks structural top-out will be tomorrow.

priller · #**432** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 10:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wattleigh

To the photographers: Are there certain locations or parks that you use to get your shots of this structure? I'd like to know for future reference, because I may be in the area in upcoming weeks.

I usually get mine just from walking around downtown.

Scottolini · #**433** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 1:59 AM**

Butler Park's observation hill on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake is a good place to take a photograph of downtown, Austonian included. Only problem there is that you only have a clear view of the building from about the 36th floor and above; below that is blocked by another building. It's still worth checking out.

To get a shot from closer, and where you can get more of the building in the shot, I would recommend 2nd Street near the City Hall. As a bonus you'll be in a great spot to grab a bite to eat, or have a drink.

urbanactivist · #**434** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookem

This is the sort of discussion I'd like to see! I'm obviously not up on all the buildings that have gone up in Dallas and Houston, I am curious what contenders you might be thinking of as more significant re: LEED certification or architecture.

As far as LEED certification, the Austonian has been focusing on the city's star rating system (very strict, from what I've heard).. they are aiming for 4 stars, which is supposed to be equivalent to LEED Gold certification. They are using all low-VOC paints, they are connected to the Austin's downtown chilled-water A/C system (no electricity), and they are building a rainwater collection system. The info is here: http://www.theaustonian.com/features.php

As for what the building is doing for Texas -- I'd say it's helping (along with some other towers) cement the idea of high-rise, green, and dense residential in our state. I believe it's existence may eventually help "re-start" high-rise building in Texas. If they are successful, and the budget isn't outrageous, I can see proposals in other cities pointing to the Austonian as proof that these heights are practical for their next office/residential project. You must admit, Texas had all but abandoned the taller high-rise construction over the past two decades, in favor of suburban low-rise and mid rise construction. CBDs all over the state were neglected, IMO. If it weren't for the economy, this would be helping reverse that trend.

Wow great info!! Yeah, after checking out the Austonian (via the web), I would guess it's probably equivalent to LEED Gold certification... that's really cool. There will be some very proud residents that will get to live there.

And yeah, there's no doubt that this building is the exclamation point of a decade of growth, change and redefinition for the city of Austin. How fitting that in just a short decade, Austin has remade itself from a large college town and government headquarters into the third tallest skyline in Texas, and eighth largest skyline in the southern United States.

Mopacs · #**435** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 4:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photolitherland

What Id really really like to see is a photo of the skyline from the same place taken in like 1999 or something compared to austin now.

As posted in the city compilation thread, here's a comparison of the skyline over 7 years (2002 to 2009). All but one of this decade's high-rises are not present in the originals. The shots are a bit distant, but will give you a good perspective of the changes.

Gaines Ranch overpass:

2002

2009

Shepherd Mountain

2002

2009

ATXboom · #**436** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 4:44 PM**

UrbanAct... I'd be curious to know who your other "8" are? I can count Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, LA... after that it depends on boundaries... Perhaps Charlotte (debatable on many fronts)... After that I stuggle.

Scottolini · #**437** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 6:25 PM**

No way California cities can be considered Southern.

Mopacs · #**438** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 6:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATXboom

UrbanAct... I'd be curious to know who your other "8" are? I can count Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, LA... after that it depends on boundaries... Perhaps Charlotte (debatable on many fronts)... After that I stuggle.

I would absolutely put Charlotte in the mix... Hard to think of others at quite this level... perhaps Tulsa (if you consider it southern), Tampa or Nashville

urbanactivist · #**439** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottolini

No way California cities can be considered Southern.

Right... I was not including Los Angeles, as California is not considered a part of "the South".

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATXboom

UrbanAct... I'd be curious to know who your other "8" are? I can count Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, LA... after that it depends on boundaries... Perhaps Charlotte (debatable on many fronts)... After that I stuggle.

Charlotte is correct, along with Mobile, Alabama. It has a structure that is taller than the Austonian, but I don't think it's taller by usable floors.

BTW AWESOME job photolitherland!! Does anyone have comparative shots of Austin and San Antonio?

ATXboom · #**440** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 6:49 PM**

I could say DT Charlotte is larger... no way on Tampa, Orlando or Tulsa though. Nashville is debatable... its close.