AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 468

The ATX · #**9341** Posted **Oct 6, 2011, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

We shall see but it is interesting news none the less. I have a feeling we will be hearing about more HQ's eyeing Austin.

Again, I like your optimism. But companies pull this "scam" quite often. Freescale, for a local example, pulled this by threatening to move to Fort Worth or Chicago a few years ago. The city didn't call their bluff and caved. Sears is so entrenched in Chicagoland that I don't see their threat as anymore than an extortion attempt to get Illinois to give them a tax break. That said, Illinois is very anti-business with their taxing, so I certaintly can't blame corporations for doing this.

JoninATX · #**9342** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 11:59 AM**

The Grand Marc at UT

U/C on W. 26th & Nueces behind 7-11.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GrandM...53476438064877

JoninATX · #**9343** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 12:21 PM**

Planned skyscraper may block views

Some say tower would block too many views

Quote:

Date: Friday, October 7, 2011, 5:00am CDT

Cody LyonStaff writer - Austin Business Journal

The design for a planned downtown skyscraper has raised concern among downtown leaders that the project will inhibit views of the Texas Capitol.

At a Sept. 26 city of Austin Planning Department Design Commission meeting, developer David Khan — besides seeking entitlements and rezoning to increase the project’s density — requested that this tower’s minimum setback from Congress Avenue be reduced from 60 feet to 30 feet.

The Design Commission recommended approval of the reduced setback request, said Jorge Rousselin, city staff liason for the commission.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-...per-may-block-views.html?s=image_gallery

ahealy · #**9344** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 1:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Planned skyscraper may block views

Some say tower would block too many views

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-...per-may-block-views.html?s=image_gallery

That is so disgusting

migol24 · #**9345** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 6:15 PM**

I'm sorry to put it this way but do the people requesting that building be made short have half a brain? Isn't there already an even taller building (One America Center) right in front of it? I don't even like that building, but even still, what's it blocking? I can see the Capitol from that render and you'd probably have to be at an extremely odd and rare to find angle for that building to block the capitol.

I think it would be awesome if there were a huge line of skyscrapers lined up on Congress creating some little canyon that leads up to the Capitol. It's far more aesthetic and compliments the capitol.

But about that building, I think it would be awesome if the entire building were made of glass.

The ATX · #**9346** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

I'm sorry to put it this way but do the people requesting that building be made short have half a brain? Isn't there already an even taller building (One America Center) right in front of it? I don't even like that building, but even still, what's it blocking? I can see the Capitol from that render and you'd probably have to be at an extremely odd and rare to find angle for that building to block the capitol.

I think it would be awesome if there were a huge line of skyscrapers lined up on Congress creating some little canyon that leads up to the Capitol. It's far more aesthetic and compliments the capitol.

But about that building, I think it would be awesome if the entire building were made of glass.

Exactly!

simms3_redux · #**9347** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 7:11 PM**

I like the building. I like the red and window cutouts. I think it fits in Austin's skyline surprisingly well. I'm all for it.

llamaorama · #**9348** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 7:15 PM**

Its not the building's size or orientation but the architecture that could be unattractive to some.

Quote:

But about that building, I think it would be awesome if the entire building were made of glass.

yeah

wwmiv · #**9349** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 11:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

That is so disgusting

I disagree. I love it. We need more color in Austin's skyline.

wwmiv · #**9350** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

The Grand Marc at UT

U/C on W. 26th & Nueces behind 7-11.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GrandM...53476438064877

Good. Love the design for that area.

Jdawgboy · #**9351** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 1:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Planned skyscraper may block views

Some say tower would block too many views

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-...per-may-block-views.html?s=image_gallery

An easy fix put it back at 60 feet then add the extra on top to make it taller. Simple as that. Also yes please make it glass. Im tired of these bland brownish tan buildings in Downtown.

Jdawgboy · #**9352** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Again, I like your optimism. But companies pull this "scam" quite often. Freescale, for a local example, pulled this by threatening to move to Fort Worth or Chicago a few years ago. The city didn't call their bluff and caved. Sears is so entrenched in Chicagoland that I don't see their threat as anymore than an extortion attempt to get Illinois to give them a tax break. That said, Illinois is very anti-business with their taxing, so I certaintly can't blame corporations for doing this.

Im not saying Sears will move to Austin, what I am saying is it is likely we will see other companies looking at Austin to move their Corporate HQs in the coming years. One of the big draws will be a Formula 1 racetrack that will be built now that all that unpleasantness with the whole why is there no construction going on fiasco is out of the way. Formula One is a big draw for Corporations, that is their sport. Remember when we host the race there will be More CEOs and company presidents in Austin at one time and place than anywhere in the United States. This gives us a huge advantage in showing off during these times. Why do you think there is so much effort trying to get a F1 race in the NYC area? Because of the ammount of Corporate offices. These people flock to these events like Ants to a cube of sugar...

That being said I must admit I am all for the Occupy Wall Street movement but I can't help but to look the other way when it benefits my city...

I know im bad but LOL...

wwmiv · #**9353** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 1:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

An easy fix put it back at 60 feet then add the extra on top to make it taller. Simple as that. Also yes please make it glass. Im tired of these bland brownish tan buildings in Downtown.

It has red as well (though it probably wouldn't turn out that way when constructed). By the way, is this a completely new proposal or a finally released rendering for a proposal we already know about?

BevoLJ · #**9354** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 2:28 AM**

Not sure how I feel about that new rendering. I agree it would be better with glass and more modern looking. But looking at that one are they going to try to keep the little castle like facade of whatever is there right now? Kind of like that 416 one that has been in the works for a while now? If that is the case then something like what is shown might be better than a glass building. But what is shown looks like something that would work better on one of those old 6th street buildings better than this more old castle like facade.

However I do think that the 416 one puts a great modern building on top of an old one. It is a lot more distracting and unnatural but it still works great.

MichaelB · #**9355** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

That is so disgusting

Yeah....in many ways....

Tall is good....... Keep the set backs. Keeps Congress feeling like a grand Blvd not so closed in. Right now we may be hungary for more buildings... but down the road future generations will be grateful for ease/space around the capitol.

AND.... if I were going to support changing the setbacks it would never be for that pile of cut and paste bastard architecture!

MichaelB · #**9356** Posted **Oct 8, 2011, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

The Grand Marc at UT

U/C on W. 26th & Nueces behind 7-11.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GrandM...53476438064877

"Grand". Thats funny

Cloud92 · #**9357** Posted **Oct 9, 2011, 8:53 AM**

I'm all for the red

EAM · #**9358** Posted **Oct 9, 2011, 5:23 PM**

There is, what looks like, an apartment project at 24th and Leon, just a couple of blocks east of Lamar. It is currently a large hole in the ground and it appears that they are beginning to install concrete pillars. Does anyone know anything about this project? I have not been able to find any information or a rendering.

KevinFromTexas · #**9359** Posted **Oct 10, 2011, 2:25 AM**

That 8th & Congress hotel reminds me of the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York.

I like it, but I do wish they'd step it back from Congress a bit. Being that close to the street, it will block the view. It's a good a bit closer to Congress than One American Center is. They should step/move it back and make it taller.

ahealy · #**9360** Posted **Oct 11, 2011, 6:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

That 8th & Congress hotel reminds me of the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York.

I like it, but I do wish they'd step it back from Congress a bit. Being that close to the street, it will block the view. It's a good a bit closer to Congress than One American Center is. They should step/move it back and make it taller.

Agreed. It's actually kind of grown on me...