AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by migol24

just what i've been wishing for!!!

http://www.slashfilm.com/san-franciscos-historic-mission-theater-alamo-drafthouse/

Violet Crown should open there as well. We're apparently headed to Colorado.

[BevoLJ]

@ahealy Wow that was fast. It is great to hear y'all are doing so well and already thinking of growing.

@migol24 That will rock! Seems a natural fit.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

@ahealy Wow that was fast. It is great to hear y'all are doing so well and already thinking of growing.

@migol24 That will rock! Seems a natural fit.

dude san francisco theaters are craaaaapy! they're all AMC theaters and just a few that show arthouse theaters like the Roxy, Lumiere and Castro Theaters. everyone i know here in san francisco that knows about alamo drafthouse are all excited because san francisco is seriously lacking in theaters. i'm so excited and i hope it pulls through.

@ahealy... yeah the Violet Crown sounds good too! dude.... i just still can't get over how much theaters suck here in san francisco. and it matters to me a lot because i go every week to the theaters. what i especially like about alam is that they show the hollywood budget movies but they also show foreign and more artsy one's. i hope they stick to the same themes if it ever gets here to sf. sf is filled with lots of creative people just like austin and i know it can be a very successful theater and easily the best one, especially since that theater being planned in is a historical landmark.

[gardensoul]

Taken on Tuesday morning.

[ROCrot]

This is a very important development project for downtown.... and you'll never even see it!

http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_storie...s-major-upgrade-to-austin-infrastructure

[Jdawgboy]

I knew they were building a new waste water tunnel but I didn't realize the block next to I-35 had anything to do with it. I figured that was part of the Waller Creek tunnel project.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I knew they were building a new waste water tunnel but I didn't realize the block next to I-35 had anything to do with it. I figured that was part of the Waller Creek tunnel project.

I believe it also runs under Seaholm. They've been digging a lot on the site.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by migol24

dude san francisco theaters are craaaaapy! they're all AMC theaters and just a few that show arthouse theaters like the Roxy, Lumiere and Castro Theaters. everyone i know here in san francisco that knows about alamo drafthouse are all excited because san francisco is seriously lacking in theaters. i'm so excited and i hope it pulls through.

@ahealy... yeah the Violet Crown sounds good too! dude.... i just still can't get over how much theaters suck here in san francisco. and it matters to me a lot because i go every week to the theaters. what i especially like about alam is that they show the hollywood budget movies but they also show foreign and more artsy one's. i hope they stick to the same themes if it ever gets here to sf. sf is filled with lots of creative people just like austin and i know it can be a very successful theater and easily the best one, especially since that theater being planned in is a historical landmark.

I really hope y'all get the drafthouse in SF. It seems like the perfect fit, then again Alamo is good anywhere. I would like to see Violet Crown grow to other cities...A lot of people love us since we've opened.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I really hope y'all get the drafthouse in SF. It seems like the perfect fit, then again Alamo is good anywhere. I would like to see Violet Crown grow to other cities...A lot of people love us since we've opened.

well there seems to be some skeptics. they don't want a "chain" for that historical building. but yet they're okay with whole foods and starbucks. alamo is way cooler than all those chains. i just don't get people sometimes. but its understandable i guess.... its very rare to have a chain as cool as alamo drafthouse.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by migol24

well there seems to be some skeptics. they don't want a "chain" for that historical building. but yet they're okay with whole foods and starbucks. alamo is way cooler than all those chains. i just don't get people sometimes. but its understandable i guess.... its very rare to have a chain as cool as alamo drafthouse.

First of all let me say, I go to Alamo all the time and find it a great venue:
However:
I get it. THe first thing I thought of was: " I don't thrust Tim League... he better not fuck up that theatre". Realize what you know of now as Alamo was a take over by League of part of a "chain" he had sold off. How to make it work was created by folks who owned the rights when it started expanding. In other words the business/food model was not crafted by him. But was taken over by him in a "no so friendly " way. What they have been doing now is setting up a cookie cutter formula to plop into spaces. If I thought they would go into SF and make something special to that theatre... cool, go for it. I just don't know he has any respect for the space, etc. So, I would keep an eye on him as well!

[mars-man]

Here's a compromise sure to please both sides: Name it the Alamo Square Drafthouse.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

First of all let me say, I go to Alamo all the time and find it a great venue:
However:
I get it. THe first thing I thought of was: " I don't thrust Tim League... he better not fuck up that theatre". Realize what you know of now as Alamo was a take over by League of part of a "chain" he had sold off. How to make it work was created by folks who owned the rights when it started expanding. In other words the business/food model was not crafted by him. But was taken over by him in a "no so friendly " way. What they have been doing now is setting up a cookie cutter formula to plop into spaces. If I thought they would go into SF and make something special to that theatre... cool, go for it. I just don't know he has any respect for the space, etc. So, I would keep an eye on him as well!

I dunno... I've never really been completely disappointed by any of the theaters but then again I've only been to the ones in Austin. I don't know what the ones in Houston or San Antonio are like... what I've gotten from most people is that its basically the same but they show less of the artsy movies. If that's the case, I have no problem believing that an Alamo in the Mission of all places would probably be just like the ones in Austin. Some cool manager would most likely oversee the place and make it uniquely San Francisco and yet still the awesomeness of Alamo Drafthouse. Either way... chain or not... it still would beat any theaters there are here in San Francisco with the exception of the Castro, which is basically the same as The Paramount. we'll see what happens.

[ahealy]

On a non Austin cinema note: Does anyone know what's up with the fencing on the 7rio site? Are they prepping for demo/construction? SecretAgentMan???

[migol24]

Looks like it's happening! hell yes!!!!!!!
http://www.slashfilm.com/alamo-drafthouse-founder-tim-league-explains-companys-origins/

[JoninATX]

Work starts on apartment project, as boom looms for South Lamar

By Shonda Novak

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Austin-based Ardent Residential has broken ground on Gibson Flats, a 202-unit upscale apartment complex that will be part of an emerging apartment boom along South Lamar Boulevard.

Slated for vacant land at South Lamar and Gibson Street, the first apartments in the five-story building are expected to be ready for tenants by mid-2013, with the project scheduled for completion in late 2013.

The location "is at the center of a burgeoning entertainment district that appeals to the young professionals who gravitate toward urban living," said Brett Denton, a principal in Ardent with Art Carpenter. Denton cited popular establishments such as the Alamo Drafthouse, the Highball bowling alley and lounge, Maudie's and Uchi restaurants, and other nearby entertainment options.

Denton said Ardent worked with city arborists to protect trees on the site, including seven heritage trees.

Developers are zeroing in on the area, which they say faces a shortage of apartments but heightened demand for rental units.

http://m.statesman.com/statesman/pm_23035/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=2n4wvVQC

[SecretAgentMan]

Originally Posted by ahealy

On a non Austin cinema note: Does anyone know what's up with the fencing on the 7rio site? Are they prepping for demo/construction? SecretAgentMan???

My sources tell me that the project has been sold to a new developer, but they are using the old site plan. Given the market and lending environment, I would expect the project to now be rental apartments rather than ownership condominiums.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by SecretAgentMan

My sources tell me that the project has been sold to a new developer, but they are using the old site plan. Given the market and lending environment, I would expect the project to now be rental apartments rather than ownership condominiums.

Awesome! Thank you

[Downtown_Austin]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Awesome! Thank you

I posted about this a while back. According to an updated site plan application filed in late October, developer/applicant CWS is seeking entitlements for a “24-story building with approximately 221 multi-family units [for rent] and associated ground floor uses, along with parking and utility improvements.” 198,612ft total and the plan does call for retail, or some commercial use on the ground level.
http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/12/20/7-rio-reanimated

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

I posted about this a while back. According to an updated site plan application filed in late October, developer/applicant CWS is seeking entitlements for a “24-story building with approximately 221 multi-family units [for rent] and associated ground floor uses, along with parking and utility improvements.” 198,612ft total and the plan does call for retail, or some commercial use on the ground level.
http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/12/20/7-rio-reanimated

I remember reading about that on DAB. Thanks With the fencing I'm guessing construction will start fairly soon.

[postpaintboy]

Another photo of the recent foggy weather!


link: http://downtownaustinblog.org/2012/02/14/downtown-austin-above-the-clouds/

p.s. I've been lurking here forever and recently decided to make an account. Hello everyone!