AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 348

Mopacs · #**6941** Posted **Dec 12, 2009, 4:21 PM**

And of course... look how it will integrate with the creek and the hike/bike trail.

http://downtownaustin.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/shoal-creek-walk-concept/shoal-creek-walk-render-5/

H2O · #**6942** Posted **Dec 12, 2009, 5:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

New proposal for empty lot next to Whole Foods -- 350' mixed-use tower and "Shoal Creek Walk".

See the Downtown Austin Blog for more details:

http://downtownaustin.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/shoal-creek-walk-concept/

I'm really glad they have added the residential component to this site. I have been telling the Shlosser guys for years they needed to do that, but they have been reluctant because they don't do residential and they were afraid to do battle again with OWANA over height issues. I think the Downtown Austin Plan gave them some cover on that and might have prompted them to submit before CURE is abolished.

I'm wondering if they aren't teaming up with some other developers who do specialize in residential. Remember when the Spring developers said Spring was only the first of the seasons?

One thing I don't like about this version is they appear to be leaving a surface parking lot facing 5th Street. The previous version was all low rise, but covered the whole lot. The flood plain covers much of the property, so the ground floor, except along Bowie Street, was vacant with just columns between the underground parking and office above. I'm wondering if they will use the flood plain issue to argue they can't meet Commercial Design Standards, which would require the building to come right up to 5th Street. Frankly, I'm not sure which is worse, the surface parking or the vacant ground floor!

KevinFromTexas · #**6943** Posted **Dec 12, 2009, 11:39 PM**

One note about Shoal Creek Walk though, the Downtown Austin Blog says the renderings only show a conceptual design. So it could change a bit. I really doubt this is the final design, even beyond minor tweaks.

hismasterplan · #**6944** Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 12:40 AM**

I got a new camera yesterday Sony DSC-H20 so what better to do than grab some photos downtown! There was nice fog earlier in the day but I didn't get down there in time.

12-12-09:

Downtown_Austin · #**6945** Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 1:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hismasterplan

I got a new camera yesterday Sony DSC-H20 so what better to do than grab some photos downtown! There was nice fog earlier in the day but I didn't get down there in time.

diggin' the focus/blur.

KevinFromTexas · #**6946** Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 7:47 AM**

From Sunday night.

It looks like an insect.

JACKinBeantown · #**6947** Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 4:47 PM**

Nice! I like the spiral effect on the second one.

OU812 · #**6948** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 5:14 AM**

what r the chances this gets built: http://www.bcarc.com/Project/23

KevinFromTexas · #**6949** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 5:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU812

what r the chances this gets built: http://www.bcarc.com/Project/23

Someone from the building's developer registered on the forum and made a post in the Austin section. Click on the thread link below to see their post. You can contact them there. They also mention the Downtown Austin Blog which did a story on their project, and supposedly they're still planning some kind of project there.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4585890#post4585890

StoOgE · #**6950** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU812

what r the chances this gets built: http://www.bcarc.com/Project/23

near zero.

Look at what the company has actually built. Low rise, mostly single family homes.

KevinFromTexas · #**6951** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 6:04 AM**

Supposedly though the Mexican American Cultural Museum was involved in the project. The tower was actually planned very near, or maybe even connecting to the museum itself.

migol24 · #**6952** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 7:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Supposedly though the Mexican American Cultural Museum was involved in the project. The tower was actually planned very near, or maybe even connecting to the museum itself.

i don't know about you guys... but this building is very nice. I just downloaded a sequence off one of the links provided and it includes the surrounding buildings, like the shore and the others i can't remember the names. if it gets built, it's really gonna put austin skyline up there. i really hope it gets built.

KevinFromTexas · #**6953** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 9:50 AM**

By the way, this was Downtown_Austin's post in the thread linked below (post number 6188).
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104192&page=310

Downtown_Austin manages the Downtown Austin Blog, he had contacted the developers of the Nahua Tower.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

I followed up with Bercy Chen Studio and got this response:

“My understanding is that the project is on hold, mostly due to the difficulty of obtaining financing right now. The project was originally proposed as an extension of the MACC – the idea was to build the tower on their existing parking lot, then provide some spaces in the tower for their use. The images on the website were prepared during our discussions with the MACC board, who (if I remember correctly – this was a few years ago) were supportive of the idea. Unfortunately, the recession has made it slightly more challenging to build in general, and especially for large projects like this.

Michael Casias is the developer we were working with on this, and the last time I spoke with him about the project he indicated he was still planning to pursue it once the lending / investment environment picked up a little bit."

This is pretty much confirms what we've been assuming.

WAustinResident · #**6954** Posted **Dec 17, 2009, 9:07 PM**

which basically means you could at best hope construction starts in 2-3 years.

migol24 · #**6955** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 6:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

which basically means you could at best hope construction starts in 2-3 years.

maybe... but better than nothing. at least.

KevinFromTexas · #**6956** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 8:36 AM**

The building does have the potential to be a very unique landmark. The uniqueness and even oddness of it reminds me a little bit of the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The color and horizontal windows are similar too, besides the slanting facade.

PartyLine · #**6957** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 8:57 AM**

Luxor of Austin lol

KevinFromTexas · #**6958** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 9:40 AM**

^Just think, with a huge light on top, you might be able to see it from San Antonio. That would be sweet.

PartyLine · #**6959** Posted **Dec 18, 2009, 3:22 PM**

yeah man! that would be cool Transamerica Pyramimid is cool too though

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxor_Las_Vegas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transamerica_Pyramid

H2O · #**6960** Posted **Dec 19, 2009, 12:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PartyLine

yeah man! that would be cool Transamerica Pyramimid is cool too though

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxor_Las_Vegas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transamerica_Pyramid

I hate to burst your bubble, but Nahua is a long shot at best. Keep in mind that the MACC Board does not own the property, they only manage it on behalf of the City Parks Department. The sale of any City property has to be done through a competitive process, like Green or Seaholm. State law also requires the sale of any parkland to be approved by a public vote, and that has never happened to my knowledge. There was a proposal to build a hotel out by Decker Lake that failed about ten years ago.

There also is a high voltage power line running through there that would have to be relocated and/or put underground at significant expense.

I personally like the idea of developing the parking lot to help fund the MACC, but this particular proposal is nothing but a fantasy at this point.