AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

Absolutely. Though there is little sign of it right now, I spoke with AMLI. Violet Crown is locked in, and should start construction soon. Fingers crossed!

They already started construction actually. Take a stroll inside the AMLI garage sometime behind the exterior on the 2nd floor. They already knocked down the walls, and are putting in place the new ones.

[mars-man]

Originally Posted by migol24

The rendering is a bit strange though... it seems like the sign is blocking off BoConcept. Not sure if BoConcept will be too happy about that.

BoConcept is long gone. With their $400 throw pillows, their demise was a foregone conclusion.

[Jdawgboy]

LMAO 400 dollar throw pillows. I don't care how rich I would be if I was rich, I would not waste 400 dollars on a pillow. No wonder they are gone.

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I don't care how rich I would be if I was rich, I would not waste 400 dollars on a pillow.

I take it you're not married?

[WAustinResident]

$400 for a throw pillow is kinda high for Bo Concept. I personally don't like them, I have nothing from them. They to me are like Ikea on steroids.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by mars-man

BoConcept is long gone. With their $400 throw pillows, their demise was a foregone conclusion.

Ahh, I see. I used to work in the area... I never understood why so many furniture stores have moved in the area, even after they see so many furniture stores closing. The only stores that don't seem to be going away are Design Within Reach and IF+D.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

LMAO 400 dollar throw pillows. I don't care how rich I would be if I was rich, I would not waste 400 dollars on a pillow. No wonder they are gone.

What if the pillow was like one of those miracle pillows like the beds in the movie Gigantic? (not too sure what they're called)

[BG918]

Originally Posted by mars-man

BoConcept is long gone. With their $400 throw pillows, their demise was a foregone conclusion.

They were still open ACL weekend, I went in there and looked around. Did they just close? Cool store but overpriced.

[WAustinResident]

I am getting to the point where I cannot wait any longer to move in. I've gotten all my furniture and its all sitting in a storage room downtown just waiting for december to arrive.

I wish I could go into a 2 month coma.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

Not sure how the rules go for posting this, but I'll just link to where they came from.

Downtown Austin Blog just put up some pictures of the progress and plans of the new Cirrus Logic HQ down on Shoal Creek on 6th.

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2010/10/22/cirrus-logic-hq-coming-soon/

Edit: The main picture of the current progress was to large and I didn't feel it appropriate to post it in this thread since these forums don't have a [/spoiler] tag ability that I could find. You can see it in the link.

Edit 2: Also as you can see on that Blog, Vince Young is opening a steak house at a great location right across the street from the convention center.

Eww. Why the elevated sidewalk?

It's stuff like that that ruins a city's walkability.

Also, a parking garage? The city council REALLY needs to do away with the parking requirement. That's a big reason development isn't what it should be; apparently, the city is making these developers provide parking. That's a lot more money they have to dish out and all it does is make our city ugly and maintain our car culture.

[AusHou]

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

I am getting to the point where I cannot wait any longer to move in. I've gotten all my furniture and its all sitting in a storage room downtown just waiting for december to arrive.

I wish I could go into a 2 month coma.

Very nice building and location. I can see why you're excited. Are you going to be on an upper floor with a view? Also, what kind of square footage will you have? I've been watching HGTV a lot lately so have gotten really interested in all sorts of properties in various cities!

[migol24]

Originally Posted by Syndic

Eww. Why the elevated sidewalk?

It's stuff like that that ruins a city's walkability.

Also, a parking garage? The city council REALLY needs to do away with the parking requirement. That's a big reason development isn't what it should be; apparently, the city is making these developers provide parking. That's a lot more money they have to dish out and all it does is make our city ugly and maintain our car culture.

I think I will have to agree with you.
One building that's notoriously hideous for it's sidewalks is that maroon one behind the W. I hate that building.... it's unwalkable and the only area that is "walkable" is the side on 3rd street where there's a bunch of bird poop on the sidewalk and has an entry to a garage. The building is hideous, at least on street level.

Why does the city require parking garages?

[hookem]

It's the developers who want parking, otherwise their office space is at a competitive disadvantage compared to other properties. They'd have a rough time finding tenants to lease the space.

At least the city seems to encourage multi-story garages instead of surface parking lots DT. They could require that garages reside within the occupied footprint of the buildings, I guess, which would encourage height and density... provided street-level retail is still included.

[WAustinResident]

Originally Posted by NewTex

Very nice building and location. I can see why you're excited. Are you going to be on an upper floor with a view? Also, what kind of square footage will you have? I've been watching HGTV a lot lately so have gotten really interested in all sorts of properties in various cities!

I've been watching HGTV for the last year, its like when you are thinking of moving you are biologically tuned to watch HGTV at those points in your life.

I'm going to be about halfway up the building on the north side facing the capital. I'll be in around 1500 sq ft. it was originally a 2C unit and a 1A but I combined them and made 1 big unit.

[mars-man]

Originally Posted by BG918

They were still open ACL weekend, I went in there and looked around. Did they just close? Cool store but overpriced.

You're right, I just walked by BoConcept and it's still going strong -- $6000 floor lamps notwithstanding. Sorry for the misinformation! But on a walkby early this year I remember seeing a near-empty store, as in empty of merchandise. Either I imagined it or they were in the midst of a major re-do of the showroom.

As for the Violet Crown Cinema, construction has begun! There are some recent photos on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Violet-Crown-Cinema/127443427270787

Nothing against the Alamo Ritz, but I can't wait for a real downtown art house cinema. It will really fill a void in the area.

[StoOgE]

So, when Violet Crown goes under maybe Alamo can start a 2nd downtown theater.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by mars-man

Nothing against the Alamo Ritz, but I can't wait for a real downtown art house cinema. It will really fill a void in the area.

For sure! Personally I don't like the fact that the Ritz is located on 6th street.... either that or I just don't like the scene that 6th street attracts. You just walk out then suddenly you have people asking you for money, then a block later some annoying jock yelling in your face.

[ahealy]

I think Violet Crown is gonna do good. Austin currently has no art house theaters. As long as it doesn't mirror the pricey Gold Class....It'll do well. I personally won't pay more than $20 to go to a movie. Alamo was actually happy to hear the welcome of VCC.. (not because they want the space)***

[StoOgE]

Austin actually has a pretty big art house in the Arboretum.

Or Great Hills.. or whatever they are calling it since it got the boot from the Arboretum and moved across the street.

I guess it is owned by a national chain so it loses the "hip" vibe a normal arthouse would get.

[ahealy]

True, we do have the arbor one. The more the merrier in Austin; however, it will be great to have a downtown cinema playing only art/foreign/indie films.