AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 385

KevinFromTexas · #**7681** Posted **Jun 17, 2010, 1:54 AM**

Great pics, guys. Mike, your's make me want to head down to the trail.

Paul in S.A TX · #**7682** Posted **Jun 17, 2010, 5:41 AM**

Absolutley Gorgeous!!! A skyline to be proud of and envious of. Please send some of those to S.A!!!!!

The best pic of Austin I have every seen. Looks like a much bigger city.

Mopacs · #**7683** Posted **Jun 17, 2010, 2:02 PM**

Thanks Paul! The lighting was perfect that afternoon... very interesting reflections. This is the view from Barton Creek Mall.

priller · #**7684** Posted **Jun 17, 2010, 7:23 PM**

The Oasis has a parking garage?!?!?

MichaelB · #**7685** Posted **Jun 17, 2010, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

The Oasis has a parking garage?!?!?

IT's being built. !

Crazy, eh! But, better than all that surface parking they would have needed with the expansion going on.

JACKinBeantown · #**7686** Posted **Jun 18, 2010, 4:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in S.A TX

Absolutley Gorgeous!!! A skyline to be proud of and envious of. Please send some of those to S.A!!!!!

The best pic of Austin I have every seen. Looks like a much bigger city.

Well, it does show off the new height of Austin, but in my opinion the ugliest building is blocking the best one (Frost) from that angle.

WAustinResident · #**7687** Posted **Jun 18, 2010, 2:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKinNYC

Well, it does show off the new height of Austin, but in my opinion the ugliest building is blocking the best one (Frost) from that angle.

Blasphemy!

ahealy · #**7688** Posted **Jun 18, 2010, 5:58 PM**

I think the W is a very lovely building

Raining Inside · #**7689** Posted **Jun 18, 2010, 9:33 PM**

I also love the W. Dark industrial gray is my favorite color.

MichaelB · #**7690** Posted **Jun 18, 2010, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKinNYC

Well, it does show off the new height of Austin, but in my opinion the ugliest building is blocking the best one (Frost) from that angle.

While I disagree with your design assessment... I do wish we could get a place to shoot a little more to the east so we could see Frost in the break between The W and the "A".

WAustinResident · #**7691** Posted **Jun 19, 2010, 12:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKinNYC

Well, it does show off the new height of Austin, but in my opinion the ugliest building is blocking the best one (Frost) from that angle.

you've angered my pepper.

JACKinBeantown · #**7692** Posted **Jun 19, 2010, 4:41 AM**

I have succeeded in angering the pepper!

austin242 · #**7693** Posted **Jun 19, 2010, 6:35 AM**

I agree with jack because in twenty years the W will be nothing more than a dark box because eventually, hopefully never, but eventually it will look ugly because that style of facade will be out when frost will never get old because its one of the timeless buildings that are actually unique.

hismasterplan · #**7694** Posted **Jun 19, 2010, 9:25 PM**

I like the W building, but after seeing that angle - maybe not in the spot that its in!

arbeiter · #**7695** Posted **Jun 20, 2010, 6:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

I agree with jack because in twenty years the W will be nothing more than a dark box because eventually, hopefully never, but eventually it will look ugly because that style of facade will be out when frost will never get old because its one of the timeless buildings that are actually unique.

What is timeless and what is a passing fad architecturally is something for history to decide. It's almost never apparent contemporaneously - after all, didn't many want to get rid of the Eiffel Tower as soon as it was built?

I am not saying the W is a work of art, but in my opinion, the Frost building comes off as awkward and it may not be remembered fondly in 20+ years. I think its fatal flaw is that it's 15 floors too short. It looks squat and difficult. But what do I know? I'm a creature of the now and not an architectural historian from 2040.

After all, some 'daring' designs with funky ornamental work are looking hideous today - that Michael Graves building in Portland from the late 80's is something of an eyesore if you ask me - it looks ghastly.

migol24 · #**7696** Posted **Jun 20, 2010, 7:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKinNYC

Well, it does show off the new height of Austin, but in my opinion the ugliest building is blocking the best one (Frost) from that angle.

while i don't mind your opinion disliking the w, i simply cannot wrap my mind around you calling it the ugliest building behind ashton and four seasons. ashton definitely holds the spot as ugliest building... and i find the w, frost, 360 and austonian to be austin's best skyscrapers.

gardensoul · #**7697** Posted **Jun 20, 2010, 12:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by arbeiter

What is timeless and what is a passing fad architecturally is something for history to decide. It's almost never apparent contemporaneously - after all, didn't many want to get rid of the Eiffel Tower as soon as it was built?

I am not saying the W is a work of art, but in my opinion, the Frost building comes off as awkward and it may not be remembered fondly in 20+ years. I think its fatal flaw is that it's 15 floors too short. It looks squat and difficult. But what do I know? I'm a creature of the now and not an architectural historian from 2040.

After all, some 'daring' designs with funky ornamental work are looking hideous today - that Michael Graves building in Portland from the late 80's is something of an eyesore if you ask me - it looks ghastly.

I agree 100% with what you said about the Frost tower. It was shooting for a Chrysler building-like impact, but it is far too boxy... either it should have been about 15 stories taller, as you said, or maybe just 5 if it was more slender and graceful.

I think the W is a subtle / smart looking tower. I have never been crazy about the gray, but overall, I think its form and skin are artful. I really like the way that it sets up the expectation of lock-step symmetry and then disrupts it with the randomness of the changes near the top.

Will I hate the W and love Frost in ten years? Who knows? However, I suspect that both will be hard to see from many of the vantage points in the images recently posted here.