AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[zx14]

I like the 410 foot high view atop Top Thrill Dragster. It only lasts for a second or so unless you are lucky enough to stall out on the tower. Then you get the view for 15 minutes. And the 120mph ride to the top and back down is cool too. Sorry just exited about going back to The Point next month.

[OU812]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

(btw, the materials on City Hall were just a cheap copper-ish finish that has not worn well, not some "artsy" attempt, which I must say sounds like a bit of a slam to any attempt at creativity)

hasn't worn well is quite an understatement- Austin's city hall is downright FUGLY- at least the cheap looking sheet metal portions. seriously, it "looks" like RUST, not copper. it's like the same look of a rusty old barnyard.

i remember when they were choosing among several designs for City Hall and noticing that this one was the worst. i couldn't believe it when it was picked. i assumed because it had some kind of eclectic retro art look. but really it just looks randomly thrown together and quite LAME (plus isn't it a bit small?) and that spike thing in the back is really disturbing. was that supposed to be artsy as well?

while i'm on the subject of slamming recent building designs the Long Center is also quite a disappointment- in regards to the rear exterior areas: i can understand recycling and all that, but reusing those hideous turtle shell pieces from the old dome and slapping them onto the beautiful new surrounding structure was quite silly. that building is so ugly in the daylight. and then they keep the old worn out brown brick stage area to save money. well at least they could have added a new facade over it?

the original design of the Long Center proposed back in the late 90s was so much better. it had a brand new glass clad dome, not that goofy ring. i understand the funding dried up and all but seriously, they could have done better.

o well. sorry to offend anyone. i like most of the other architecture in austin BTW

[hookem]

Originally Posted by shanny

a 500-600ft observation tower in butler park would be ideal...

I've said it before, but my ideal spot for an Austin observation tower is the triangular tract across from Runtex at 1st and Barton Springs road, where there is currently a Hooters and another restaurant:



Since it's adjacent to Auditorium shores/Long Center/Butler Park, it could be like an extension of the park area. The irregular shape would be perfect for the base of an observation tower. Imagine the nice photos (taken from the west) of the grassy hills of Auditorium Shores and the Long center in front of the observation tower. Plus, it's situated slightly away from the skyline, like other observation towers -- all the better for viewing. It could also solidify a touristy area which includes Long Center, Palmer Events Center, Butler Park, Auditorium Shores, and the Hike & Bike trail to the West/North, and the "Bat Bridge" / Bat watching boats to the East and North. You'd have available parking for the observation tower in the Long Center Garage. There are hotels and restaurants right there already, this could be a walkable attraction for them. It could also be a great spot for watching events like the Capital 10K, Rowing races, and even the bats (from a different perspective). That area would also make a great location for an Austin Music Museum (due to the proximity to the old Armadillo site) ... Whenever Austin finally gets around to making one. Heck, we should have one each for Janis, Stevie, and Willie. Other cities would already have done that by now!

Ok, so I've thought this out a bit over the years

It's a perfect location IMO. What do you have to lose? Just surface parking and a chain restaurant or two. Although who knows how many variances and cap view corridor waivers would have to be obtained...

[KevinFromTexas]

That would be a great spot. By the way, only the Hooters is on that block now. The other two restaurants are gone. The rest of the lot is just a gravel paved parking lot.

[Scottolini]

But isn't that where Aquaterra is going to be built?

[priller]

Woke up while it was still dark this morning, decided to go out and take a few early morning shots:














This is from the 18th floor of the Hilton:






Work on the crown continues:

[OU812]

Originally Posted by priller

geeze laweese. what city is this????????

[H2O]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Love the color of the W so far. I think it will make a very handsome building.

(btw, the materials on City Hall were just a cheap copper-ish finish that has not worn well, not some "artsy" attempt, which I must say sounds like a bit of a slam to any attempt at creativity)

Whether or not you like the way it looks, the panels are actually pure copper, which is anything but cheap these days. The patina that is developing is just part of the natural oxidation process of copper, much like an old penny. Eventually it will turn almost black, perhaps with a bit of green. It probably won't take on an overall verdigris patina because we do not have salt spray in our atmosphere, nor all the nasty by-products of burning coal common to 19th Century cities. If you look at it close, in the right light, you can see a bit of a green sheen in places. There are also green stains developing in the paving and stone work under drip edges of the overhangs.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by H2O

Whether or not you like the way it looks, the panels are actually pure copper, which is anything but cheap these days. The patina that is developing is just part of the natural oxidation process of copper, much like an old penny. Eventually it will turn almost black, perhaps with a bit of green. It probably won't take on an overall verdigris patina because we do not have salt spray in our atmosphere, nor all the nasty by-products of burning coal common to 19th Century cities. If you look at it close, in the right light, you can see a bit of a green sheen in places. There are also green stains developing in the paving and stone work under drip edges of the overhangs.

Interesting. When it was being built, a friend who was on the project told me it would not wear well because of the grade of the materials. Indeed, to me, it is not wearing like most coppers. Not sure what it is that makes it look so cheap to me. I have indeed noticed the moments of green in places. But it does not look like, say, the copper on Austin City Lofts. I'll take another look. Thanks.... I walk by it many times a week. I have just blocked that part out!

[AusTex]

Isn't the W going to have a copper Facad on 2nd Street?

Also this morning the early light on the W struck me as though I was looking at a building under construction in New York...not Austin. The color was sooo Gray and controled looking, that with the future broad square top, the vision gave me the sense this building is from NY. Perhaps the residential top will have more colorful and cheerful glass. The building may look very good and may fit into the skyline...but may look great and out of place as well...wait to see the finished product.

[Samwill89]

Pictures of my friend's ride as we headed to Sugarland for a car show. From Barton Creek Hill I think.







I really like how advanced our skyline looks now.

[Mopacs]

Here's a few drive-by shots from last night
























The sky and clouds were awesome last night



Gorgeous sunset... this is from the Congress Ave bridge

[LoneStarMike]

Hey! I was out Friday night, too. The weather was perfect.





Mopacs, I think I must have been on the South First Street Bridge about the same time you were on the Congress Ave. Bridge.

[priller]

Great shots! Yes, the sunset was just fantastic Friday night. My wife and I were at the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn that night with some friends and everyone had their cameras out taking photos of it. Except for me.

This is from last night. Not bad, but not nearly as spectacular as the night before:

[TXLove]

Greats shots Samwill89, Mopacs, Priller and LoneStarMike!

[KevinFromTexas]

Great photos everyone. Makes me sorry I was out taking pics too!

[Austin Rises]

This picture; honestly I hate how you can see the a/c unit things up at the
top. Looks like Sponge Bob the Cartoon character.

[Scottolini]

I do believe that top level with the AC units will be covered by glass, at least that's how the rendering appears.

[KevinFromTexas]

I'm glad they went with the tannish color facade around the windows on the upper portion of the building rather than white ones. It makes the building have a warmer feel to it. By the way, you can see where the rooftop swimming pool will be. Notice that little ledge in the middle of the building at the top that hangs out? That's the swimming pool. This building will have the highest rooftop pool in Texas.

[JoninATX]

Is the rooftop pool at 394' or is that the highest point of the building?