AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 452

JoninATX · #**9021** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 4:18 AM**

W Austin Hotel closes until further notice after more glass falls

Quote:

By Gary Dinges | Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 09:19 PM

Update: Beau Armstrong, CEO of Stratus Properties, provided a statement this evening to the media.

W Austin Media Statement by Beau Armstrong, CEO Stratus Properties

Today as you know, another glass balcony panel at the W Austin building shattered in place and fell, breaking two panels directly below, and sending glass into the pool area, which was closed. The entire team here at the W couldn’t be more devastated that this has occurred, but unfortunately after consulting with numerous experts we still do not know why this has happened.

So here’s what we’re doing. We are replacing every piece of balcony glass on the building. To do this safely we are working with the City to:

Shut down several lanes of traffic around 3 sides of the building. This will mean some delays on Lavaca, Third and Guadalupe until the panels on those sides of the building can be removed. We apologize for any inconvenience but our first priority is public safety.

Close the sidewalks entirely around the building until protective pedestrian walkways are installed.

We are also working to relocate current and future hotel guests, and closing the hotel until further notice. We’d like to thank our local hotel partners in advance for welcoming our guests and helping us during this difficult time.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...6/28/police_more_glass_falls_from_w.html

KevinFromTexas · #**9022** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 4:34 AM**

Photos:

Glass falls from the W Hotel, 06.28.11
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/glass-falls-w-hotel-062811/#181705

The ATX · #**9023** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 4:29 PM**

We have forumers here living at the W condos. I haven't seen any posts from them yet - I wonder how they feel about this mess.

StoOgE · #**9024** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 5:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

What result are you hoping for?

Sponsorship of the race.

cvillehorn · #**9025** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 9:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

Sponsorship of the race.

Sponsorship indeed. City passes motion 5-2 with Tovo and Morrison voting No. Vrrrroom Vrooomm! Can't freakin wait!

StoOgE · #**9026** Posted **Jun 29, 2011, 9:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvillehorn

Sponsorship indeed. City passes motion 5-2 with Tovo and Morrison voting No. Vrrrroom Vrooomm! Can't freakin wait!

I guess Morrison has someone to keep company with on the council now.

Idiots.. do they realize how large a lawsuit the city would have defended had they not sponsored the race?

Great news all around though.

AusHou · #**9027** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 1:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Photos:

Glass falls from the W Hotel, 06.28.11
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/glass-falls-w-hotel-062811/#181705

This is really serious. I heard on the news today that even the residents may be moved out. It would be good to hear from some of the forumers who live there to confirm whether it's true that they may have to move temporarily.

KevinFromTexas · #**9028** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 4:22 AM**

I doubt the residents will move out of the W. It'll probably take a few months to replace all the glass panels, but as long as they don't go out on their balconies it'll probably be ok. I sort of think people are overreacting to this just a bit.

ahealy · #**9029** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 4:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AusHou

This is really serious. I heard on the news today that even the residents may be moved out. It would be good to hear from some of the forumers who live there to confirm whether it's true that they may have to move temporarily.

I am pretty sure nobody is moving out. I heard they were just locking the doors to the balconies (electronically or removal of keyhole).

The ATX · #**9030** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 5:07 AM**

What makes the situation potentionally much worse is that (as reported on KXAN) is a piece of concrete from one balcony crumbled and fell to the W's pool area. They showed footage on their Wednesday evening news of of the balcony that has started crumbling.

ahealy · #**9031** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 5:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

What makes the situation potentionally much worse is that (as reported on KXAN) is a piece of concrete from one balcony crumbled and fell to the W's pool area. They showed footage on their Wednesday evening news of of the balcony they has started crumbling.

whoa....lets hope that is sensationalism.

The ATX · #**9032** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 6:52 AM**

Look at this video from the 10:00 PM KXAN newscast:

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/report-reveals-info-about-w-hotel-glass

wwmiv · #**9033** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 7:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Look at this video from the 10:00 PM KXAN newscast:

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/report-reveals-info-about-w-hotel-glass

What I'm wondering is why the concrete was damaged and if that is a larger problem.

photoLith · #**9034** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 12:22 PM**

The NIMBY God has finally answered their prayers.

Austin1971 · #**9035** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 5:08 PM**

The city council approved the development waivers for the White Lodging convention center hotel on Congress Ave. Hopefully Manchester will move forward with their proposal as well.

http://www.statesman.com/business/austin-city-council-waives-4-3-million-in-1571176.html

photoLith · #**9036** Posted **Jun 30, 2011, 6:05 PM**

^
Very awesome news!

AusHou · #**9037** Posted **Jul 1, 2011, 1:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

I am pretty sure nobody is moving out. I heard they were just locking the doors to the balconies (electronically or removal of keyhole).

I guess the media got it wrong (not surprised).

KevinFromTexas · #**9038** Posted **Jul 2, 2011, 4:25 AM**

http://www.statesman.com/business/firm-p...h-200-1576113.html?viewAsSinglePage=true

Quote:

Firm plans four Austin apartment complexes worth $200 million

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 9:12 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2011

In its first push into luxury apartment development, Austin-based Cypress Real Estate Advisors plans to build four complexes in Austin that will total $200 million worth of new development and add 1,112 units to a multifamily market where rents and occupancies have risen to record levels.

Cypress' projects call for a 318-unit complex at South Lamar Boulevard and Manchaca Road; 302 apartment units at University Park, a planned mixed-use development on the former Concordia University campus north of downtown ; 262 units in Corazon, a project planned in the block bounded by East Sixth, East Fifth, San Marcos and Medina streets; and a 230-unit complex set for the South Lakeshore Boulevard area off East Riverside Drive and Tinnin Ford Road, where older apartments have been razed to make way for the new upscale units.

photoLith · #**9039** Posted **Jul 2, 2011, 4:26 AM**

Im going to be downtown tomorrow, cant wait, its been a good few months since Ive been to Austin. Too bad theres nothing for me to take pictures of construction wise right now, hopefully in another year there will be tons to take photos of.

KevinFromTexas · #**9040** Posted **Jul 2, 2011, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photolitherland

Im going to be downtown tomorrow, cant wait, its been a good few months since Ive been to Austin. Too bad theres nothing for me to take pictures of construction wise right now, hopefully in another year there will be tons to take photos of.

The new Federal Courthouse is under construction. It's only 135 feet tall with 7 floors, but it is an interesting building. It's on the west side of downtown near Republic Square Park.