AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 379

Downtown_Austin · #**7561** Posted **May 18, 2010, 10:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spw1965

I've taken a fatalistic approach to the whole view debate. When I picked a unit at the FSR I went for the best that I could afford.

I'm fan of this side of the building. It's not a bad view, at all. This is how cities should be, and I actually like the visual energy on this side that is absent on the other. Those balconies are terrific, too. Compared to some other buildings, many FSR balconies are large enough to become bona-fide outdoor rooms.

KevinFromTexas · #**7562** Posted **May 21, 2010, 4:50 AM**

This would be located across Congress from the Frost Bank Tower.

http://www.statesman.com/business/real-e...ess-avenue-700347.html?srcTrk=RTR_554183

Quote:

Upscale boutique hotel planned for Congress Avenue

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATEMAN STAFF

Published: 9:26 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Houston investor is considering building a 15-story upscale boutique hotel at the site of one of Congress Avenue's oldest buildings.

If built, it would be the first new hotel along Congress north of Lady Bird Lake in 44 years , since the Wilbur Clark Crest Hotel — now the Radisson Hotel and Suites — opened in 1966 on a former lumber site at Congress and East Cesar Chavez Street, said Molly Alexander, associate director of the Downtown Austin Alliance, a group representing downtown property and business owners.

Under the current vision, the facade of the existing 21,000-square-foot building would be preserved and enhanced, said Dick Clark, owner of Dick Clark Architecture. Clark's firm is designing the proposed 52,000-square-foot hotel, which would include 60 to 70 guest rooms and a bar, restaurant and private dining rooms.

The target opening date is 2012.

...

Rendering:

Dick Clark Architecture
A preliminary rendering of the project shows a metal and glass tower of rooms rising behind the vintage facade.

hismasterplan · #**7563** Posted **May 21, 2010, 9:12 PM**

Looks like something you'd see in Chicago. It looks like it would be a good fit for Austin too.

priller · #**7564** Posted **May 21, 2010, 9:36 PM**

No way they're going to open in 2012, but looks like a cool idea.

WAustinResident · #**7565** Posted **May 22, 2010, 12:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

No way they're going to open in 2012, but looks like a cool idea.

Agreed, Maybe 2012 construction start time is a more realistic timeframe.

ahealy · #**7566** Posted **May 22, 2010, 1:48 AM**

I would love to see this project start soon. Future small-time developments on Congress & throughout downtown should mirror this proposal. I realllllly like the mixture

hismasterplan · #**7567** Posted **May 22, 2010, 2:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

I would love to see this project start soon. Future small-time developments on Congress & throughout downtown should mirror this proposal. I realllllly like the mixture

And its about time, too many boxes are going up these days.

Myomi · #**7568** Posted **May 22, 2010, 1:12 PM**

See, why can't we have a bunch of projects like this in the warehouse district. Then we can keep most of the "charm" that those pseudo-historical buildings bring to the street and increase density at the same time.

ahealy · #**7569** Posted **May 22, 2010, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myomi

See, why can't we have a bunch of projects like this in the warehouse district. Then we can keep most of the "charm" that those pseudo-historical buildings bring to the street and increase density at the same time.

Couldn't agree more on that. I think the Warehouse district/Congress along with older parts of downtown would benefit greatly by enhancing the old with the new. It would be awesome to see smaller apartment buildings develop like this.

ATXboom · #**7570** Posted **May 22, 2010, 4:50 PM**

Love it. This is guaranteed business success. Such a massive need/desire for this type of thing both locally and from travellers. Really surprised this hasn't happened already. Looks like the owners have $$$ They bought the property which is probably a good portion of the investment right there.

MichaelB · #**7571** Posted **May 22, 2010, 9:08 PM**

Love it. Excited by the fact that they are talking about building the tower on steel that sits within the original structure. THis has been mentioned as a way to keep building like the old Gingerman building.... and before that the warehouses where the unfortunately suburban Marriot Residence in sits. It would be a good way for more people to think. Instant texture! Keeps the buildings we are lucky to still have and allows for expansion. I love it, glad to see a developer with a vision and a little less greed!

KevinFromTexas · #**7572** Posted **May 22, 2010, 9:56 PM**

There was another project similar to this just up Congress. It still hasn't broken ground though. It was supposed to be 5 new floors added to a building at 721 Congress, for a total of 7 floors. It was being planned as residential. There was also the plan by an owner of an old building in the 800 block of Congress to add 2 floors to an existing 2-story old building. The top two floors would be their residence. Then there was the plan to add 6 or 7 floors to the top of the Mexic-Arte Building next to the Frost Bank Tower. So these type of developments aren't really new. But if this one does follow through, it'll be the first one I know of that actually finished.

KevinFromTexas · #**7573** Posted **May 25, 2010, 6:58 AM**

Saw this on Fox7, and had hoped I would find them.

Some photos of a thunderstorm from about a week ago. These were taken from Spring (a condo tower).

I remember that storm. There was tons of that static like lightning all across the sky that night.

Photo by David Gottleib - http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfoxaustin/4622002816/sizes/o/in/set-72157623560296747/

nixcity · #**7574** Posted **May 25, 2010, 12:39 PM**

Wow, how cool

priller · #**7575** Posted **May 25, 2010, 1:54 PM**

Cool! Love the lightning photos.

Mopacs · #**7576** Posted **May 25, 2010, 2:20 PM**

Agreed! Great find. (Pressing virtual 'like' button)

WAustinResident · #**7577** Posted **May 25, 2010, 4:03 PM**

New Article about the W in statesman by Kelso.

"The W in the hotel and residences name may stand for weimaraner"

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/the-...dences-name-706675.html?srcTrk=RTR_95649

Obviously this is an opinion piece, but he does kinda slam the W for no real reason. I mean he is complaining that the model figures don't have nose rings and spends so much time harping on the dog walking features. (which if he thinks are excessive are far less than the canine treatment options available at the Austonian)

Once again, I know its an opinion piece and is supposed to be tongue in cheek type stuff, but that being said, its still unflattering. (he also used a pictures from probably months ago which is lazy)

What do ya'll think?

the Genral · #**7578** Posted **May 25, 2010, 8:16 PM**

Back in the 80's while at IBM I wrote a letter for an in house only employee feedback forum about how being from NY and being a Yankee was becoming a distraction at work as there seemed to be an intolerance for "Yankees" even at work as grafetti and comments were appearing telling us "Yankees" to go home as well as other comments. I thought this was starting to get out of hand and was becoming mean spirited, almost racist, something I and other Yankees didn't deserve at the work place so I wrote to complain about it. Someone at work sent the letter to Kelso and he quoted my entire letter in his column asking if "yankee's should be considered a "race", and then ended his column calling me a "weenie". Since then I refuse to acknowledge him as a legitament contributor to the American Statesman. He's not even slightly interesting. But I guess people read his crap, that's why he is still writing for them.
And yeah he's lazy, too lazy to get off his ass and do some real journalism and seek out opinions on both sides of his talking points for fear that he won't come across as an intelligent or witty columnist. He gets paid for writing his one sided usually sarcastic and negative opinions.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gets hold of this letter and I get quoted and called a weenie or something else again.
Who would read a column dedicated to writing about a great trend towards building DT condos that cater to the needs of its residents and their pets in order to attract more people to live DT? Better question, why would someone feel compelled to mock it?

StoOgE · #**7579** Posted **May 25, 2010, 8:39 PM**

Austin is getting a F1 track!

Forza Ferrari!

Great news.. huge boon to the local economy during the race week.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...5/25/mayor_formula_one_is_coming_to.html

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html

This will be as big (or bigger) than SXSW for global exposure of the city. I'm hoping they do something like they do in Canada and Australia and build a track in Zilker park and bring in temporary bleachers. Slightly reconfigure Lou Neff road or build something more permanent over at the Holly St plant location. Just don't stick it out next to the airport. It's ugly out there.

If you don't follow F1, it is the biggest motor sport in the world and is often one of the most watched sporting events worldwide. About 600 million people worldwide watch the races.

As a lifelone F1 fan this is HUGE for me

Plus, if the race is downtown it could lead to more hotels going up.

wwmiv · #**7580** Posted **May 25, 2010, 10:01 PM**

The race will be held in a purpose-built facility, not on a modified road course.