AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Myomi

Looking at the newly released diagrams and renderings, it looks like the Manchester Hotel is just as wide as the JW. It looks really skinny because from where most of the renderings are coming from, we are looking down the narrow end of the building from west to east. However, looking from the north, coming south on I-35, the building is going to look pretty wide. I would say that they both have about the same tower footprint as they both extend about the length of a city block.

One of them is definitely taller...but I am interested to see if this project has retail space, or is it just going to have the restaurant space. And I want to see how they interface with Waller Creek on the north side. From these renderings, it looks like the main entrance will be on that side, which means that all the car activity will form a sort of barrier between the hotel and the creek. I was really hoping for a restaurant/lounge area or even just a balcony that overlooked what is supposed to be a new jewel in the Austin downtown park system.

I am excited though about the statement that they will "support Palm Park improvements." Maybe that area shall become sort of a front lawn for this new hotel. We shall see what happens. As for the JW, I am really interested to see what material they use for unique cladding on the west side. If they pick the right stuff...that surface might be absolutely spectacular.

You expressed many of my questions and observations. The doc does say three restaurants. I want to better understand the street level interaction.

Do notice all the escape stairs for the ballrooms exit onto 1st. That could make for big uglies if they are not careful ( I actually like the escape stairs on the conventions center and how the architects made work)

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by cvillehorn

It's an attractive and interesting building in person. Notwithstanding my reflexive position against a public judicial building in the middle of such a booming commercial district, the facade has an excellent texture with unique, quality evoking materials. I think it will be just fine right there.

Thank you for pointing out the materials. I have alway felt it has good materiality. But the design has always felt muddled to me. I don't dislike it. Just liked the earlier versions better.

Maybe this is why:..........

As I walked past this AM I was thinking about the slipery slope the design process went thru. While the building lines were always pretty much the same, the feel of the building was much more white/marble....modern.....clean. Then it went thru , what we experienced for a while here, the " gotta make it warm and fuzzy Austin" phase. So it got "warmed up". While I do think great efforts have been made in the materials..... I think the line of the building was better suited for the cleaner look. (THere are still a few window on the west side that maintained the lighter/cooler aesthetic) Maybe that it the disparity people feel in the design. Not sure.

As for the Boxy low nature. Part of that lot is in the CVC. But not all.

When the locations was being chosen many people here tried to get the Feds to take an alternative location on 7th. The big empty lot by the Salvation Army . But for "some reason" the feds did not want that location. It would have perfect for that area. a destination use in a what is seen as a low commercial viability because of all the homeless shelters, etc. But for "some reason" they decided to place it in the middle of the commercial / residentail area. Go figure. At least intel came down!

[Myomi]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Thank you for pointing out the materials. I have alway felt it has good materiality. But the design has always felt muddled to me. I don't dislike it. Just liked the earlier versions better.

Maybe this is why:..........

As I walked past this AM I was thinking about the slipery slope the design process went thru. While the building lines were always pretty much the same, the feel of the building was much more white/marble....modern.....clean. Then it went thru , what we experienced for a while here, the " gotta make it warm and fuzzy Austin" phase. So it got "warmed up". While I do think great efforts have been made in the materials..... I think the line of the building was better suited for the cleaner look. (THere are still a few window on the west side that maintained the lighter/cooler aesthetic) Maybe that it the disparity people feel in the design. Not sure.

As for the Boxy low nature. Part of that lot is in the CVC. But not all.

When the locations was being chosen many people here tried to get the Feds to take an alternative location on 7th. The big empty lot by the Salvation Army . But for "some reason" the feds did not want that location. It would have perfect for that area. a destination use in a what is seen as a low commercial viability because of all the homeless shelters, etc. But for "some reason" they decided to place it in the middle of the commercial / residentail area. Go figure. At least intel came down!

I think everyone here would prefer a office or residential tower with ground floor retail in that location. However, your last sentence is why it is really OK that they built there. The GSA (General Services Administration) paid for the implosion. They only did it because they were going to build the court house. I am pretty sure the city encouraged them to take that block in order to get rid of the Intel Shell. Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if that shell was still there. There are plenty of empty parking lots around Austin that no private company would look that lot with the added expense and liability of demolition.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Myomi

I think everyone here would prefer a office or residential tower with ground floor retail in that location. However, your last sentence is why it is really OK that they built there. The GSA (General Services Administration) paid for the implosion. They only did it because they were going to build the court house. I am pretty sure the city encouraged them to take that block in order to get rid of the Intel Shell. Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if that shell was still there. There are plenty of empty parking lots around Austin that no private company would look that lot with the added expense and liability of demolition.

Yes, and you bring up an intersting point to try to recall. ( and this is in no way an "argument") I was thinking the city acutually pushed for the other location but I could not remember for sure or find the articles..... so I left that out. It was a debate for sure. It was certainly a Plus/minus. Very happy intel is gone.
And now intell 2 will finally be gone as well!

[jowens]

Loving the activity that's happening again. It was just 5 years ago the Austin skyline was predominately a north to south skyline from the UT Tower to One Congress Plaza. The last 5 years the skyline has been stretched east to west with Legacy and 4 seasons on the east to the Spring on the west. This latest trend obviously will continue due to the Manchester Hotel on the east and Seaholm and the Green Water Treatment site on the west.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by jowens

Loving the activity that's happening again. It was just 5 years ago the Austin skyline was predominately a north to south skyline from the UT Tower to One Congress Plaza. The last 5 years the skyline has been stretched east to west with Legacy and 4 seasons on the east to the Spring on the west. This latest trend obviously will continue due to the Manchester Hotel on the east and Seaholm and the Green Water Treatment site on the west.

You're right. The trend is definitely towards a skyline oriented along the river rather than the CBD (meaning Congress Ave.)

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Wowza. I thought The Austonian was as tall as the ToA? Perhaps without the antenna.
From what I remember, they have financing for this entire project... correct? I REALLY can't wait for this to be built....hopefully it isn't a T. Stacy case.

Yeah, without the antenna, the Tower of the Americas is slightly shorter than the Austonian. ToA is 622 to the roof and 750 to the antenna. The Austonian is 683 feet to the top of the mechanical penthouse. The main roof is at 621 feet 11 inches, so the main roof (at the 55th floor) is at the roof height of the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio.

Originally Posted by SecretAgentMan

There are 435 parking spaces in 4 levels underground. 47 stories / 580 feet.

So it'll probably be around 730 feet to the top fo the spire then.

Anyway, I went up to St. Ed's about 2 weeks ago for the view. No pics, sorry, computer woes. But I did see the crane for either the Whitley site tower or Hyatt Place. Those two should stick up in that view.

[JoninATX]

Planned go-cart entertainment project hopes to build off Formula One's buzz

By John Maher

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Construction at an Austin racetrack continues this week, and developers say they are confident that low-slung, European-built cars will be speeding through the twisting circuit in time for the city's big festival.

No, we're not talking Formula One but a business at least partly attracted to Austin by the imminent arrival of F1: go-carts. Austin could have an indoor track sporting the Italian-made electric go-carts in time for South by Southwest in March.

"We're shooting for March 10," said Susan Graver, marketing director and co-owner of California-based K1 Speed, the project's developer. Construction work on the project began about two weeks ago, she said.

K1 Speed is transforming about 60,000 square feet of warehouse space in North Austin into an upscale go-cart racing and entertainment center. The warehouse at 2500 McHale Court is just off Burnet Road, south of Braker Lane and across the road from the University of Texas' J.J. Pickle Research Campus.

The facility, which also will be dubbed K1 Speed, will cost about $1.8 million, Graver said, adding that the track would employ about 25 people, a mix of part and full time.

Austin is scheduled to host its inaugural F1 race in November, and "that's for sure a big:-) / plus for us," Graver said.

She said the city's relatively strong economy and its similarity to California's Silicon Valley were reason for picking Austin for K1 Speed's 10th track.

http://m.statesman.com/statesman/pm_23035/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=3DPzCkDV

[The ATX]

Here's the CCIM presentation from the Seaholm developers made the same day day as the one for the Waller Creek hotel. It includes a rendering that I don't recall seeing before:

http://www.ccimtexas.com/images/website243/john_rosato_presentation_12012.pdf

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Here's the CCIM presentation from the Seaholm developers made the same day day as the one for the Waller Creek hotel. It includes a rendering that I don't recall seeing before:

http://www.ccimtexas.com/images/website243/john_rosato_presentation_12012.pdf

So is this a good sign for Seaholm? I would love to see it break ground soon. From what I remember... they've said "the stars are aligning".

[Jdawgboy]

They Changed the tower again but still a good height. I really think they should have the outdoor stage in front of the main building instead of facing away from it. I think it would make it an iconic area for music shows and they could light the old power plant up with different colors for night shows. Having it on the other side is just pointless. There is a busy street right there and there are no good views of the river from that vantage point.

[migol24]

is it just me or does it kinda look like a shorter version of 360 without the spire?

[P3FE]

I read today in the Community Impact newsletter that the Hickory Street Cafe on 8th and Congress has some new owners that are renovating the space and planning for a reopening this month of the same restaurant.

This indicates to me that the hotel planned for that site probably didn't get the permission the developers wanted in terms of relaxed setbacks from the street and are cancelling the project. This is sad news as now neither of the planned hotels on the west side of congress will be getting built.

Maybe Dick Clark could just move his project north four blocks as his design honored the setback from Congress and looked pretty handsome as well.

[Jdawgboy]

As far as I know its only going to be for 3 to 4 years and then they will move so the project can get started. I have not heard it cancelled.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Here's the CCIM presentation from the Seaholm developers made the same day day as the one for the Waller Creek hotel. It includes a rendering that I don't recall seeing before:

http://www.ccimtexas.com/images/website243/john_rosato_presentation_12012.pdf

Nice. The height seems to be around 325 feet or so. I counted at least 28 floors in that rendering. It could be around 350 feet actually. It's sort of hard to tell since the whole roof isn't showing. The tallest smokestack at Seaholm looks to be around 180 feet tall in that rendering. I remember reading a height for the middle smokestacks that said they're 121 feet tall, and the new tower seems to be around 200 feet taller than they are. Austin City Lofts in the background to the left is 180 feet tall by the way.

[kingkirbythe....]

Planned apartment boom raises traffic questions in Barton Springs-South Lamar area

By Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 9:29 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

E-mail Print Share Larger Type
With Zilker Park a stone's throw away and a stretch of popular restaurants in place to lure diners, the area around South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road already has its share of traffic snarls.

Now, it's about to get even more crowded, with developers working on a handful of projects that would add nearly 1,700 apartments near the busy intersection in the next few years.

http://www.statesman.com/business/real-e...arton-2152552.html?viewAsSinglePage=true

Jeff Jack-ass is at it again. These apartments will be great for South Lamar and Barton Springs. I was thinking that the apartments replacing Mobile Manor could have a mobile home theme. Or at least an homage to the mobile homes they will be replacing.

[Cloud92]

Wait what happened to the last Seaholm tower design
This design looks like a copy of the 360 I really don't like it at all.

[ahealy]

More details emerge on Austin Aquatic Center
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/aqua...art-of-downtown-development-2155466.html
I can only imagine how amazing the western edge of downtown will be in 10 years. Guess who is against it on City Council??!?!

[Jdawgboy]

No doubt Kathie Tovo will also be against it as well. I think its time we start emailing them in making sure they represent all of Austin, not just the NIMBY crowd. I will not have any problem calling them out either.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

No doubt Kathie Tovo will also be against it as well. I think its time we start emailing them in making sure they represent all of Austin, not just the NIMBY crowd. I will not have any problem calling them out either.

Agreed. This is literally in my backyard, and I SUPPORT IT!