AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Awesome, more infill for that area, it may not be 10st. that I was hoping for, but a 6st. residential building is just as good, also they have installed a red crane base at the Carmen Lamar Heights.

Where is that project?

Also, DAB is reporting more info on the new hotel downtown by White Lodging:

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2013/0...ke-that-hotel/

The designs are similar, yes, but I think the yet to be built version is slightly nicer and has better detail.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Where is that project?

It's off Lamar & N. Loop Blvd.

[wwmiv]

That's a fucking gigantic project for that far north. The urban development going on there really rivals that going on on South Lamar.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

It's off Lamar & N. Loop Blvd.

The address is 5400 North Lamar. It will be 60 feet tall with 5 floors.

[AviationGuy]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The address is 5400 North Lamar. It will be 60 feet tall with 5 floors.

It's great to see N. Lamar being revitalized. The stretch from just north of the Triangle all the way to 183 desperately needs to be fully redeveloped. The blight along that stretch is awful in places. Good to see that things are happening.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by AviationGuy

It's great to see N. Lamar being revitalized. The stretch from just north of the Triangle all the way to 183 desperately needs to be fully redeveloped. The blight along that stretch is awful in places. Good to see that things are happening.

It is a good sign, but I have to admit that I've always felt that Burnet south of Justin had better potential for urban infill. However, both corridors are looking up.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The address is 5400 North Lamar. It will be 60 feet tall with 5 floors.

It's a shame it was that lot and not one nearby. The current buildings there (well... if they're still there at this point) are nicer than their surroundings. However, the project is, ofcourse, better than the old stuff.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

It's a shame it was that lot and not one nearby. The current buildings there (well... if they're still there at this point) are nicer than their surroundings. However, the project is, ofcourse, better than the old stuff.

Google Earth shows that they've been demolished.

What a great development. Demolishing suburban blight in favor of mised-use buildings? It doesn't get any better than that. And the cool thing is that these kinds of things are accumulative. One building can change the whole feel and character of an area. Other developers will see that building and conclude that it's an area they want to be in. So urbanism can kind if spread to the rest of the city.

This North Loop development is one of my favorites right now just because it's urbanism eliminating suburban blight and it's so far out.

[wwmiv]

The biggest parcels now to redevelop on the stretch between the Triangle and Crestview (that's basically the extent of that corridor):

The parking lot at 51st and Lamar. That's the St. Dept. for Aging and Services, but they could easily sell 3/4 the land and build a parking garage on the remaining portion.

The southwest corner of North Loop and Lamar, which is even worse suburban blight than the northwestern corner where Carmen is going.

The lot across from Half Price Books AND the Half Price Books lot are both prime redevelopment opportunities. Half Price Books would actually work very well in a more urban street-front setting with retail above (similar in nature to how the preexisting Alamo Drafthouse is being incorporated into the development on South Lamar). They could easily incorporate a coffee shop into their model in such an event.

And the godawful DPS parcel. They have no business ruining that stretch of land. They should move somewhere more easily accessible by commuters. I.E. to a building on freeway frontage. God, if that parcel were redeveloped into a VMU, that development would be absolutely game-changing for that part of town. The sheer number of units that could be in a 5-6 story would guarantee decent foot traffic for street level retail fronting Lamar and Koenig, with parking garages nested in the center of the parcel and more traditional retail fronting Guadalupe.

It's unfortunate that the other corners of Lamar and Airport/Justin really aren't large enough, shaped properly, or inhabited by older crappy buildings ripe for a VMU development, but even VMUs just a few blocks down will draw some users to the Crestview Station on the rail line.

[greywallsareboring]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

The biggest parcels now to redevelop on the stretch between the Triangle and Crestview (that's basically the extent of that corridor):

The parking lot at 51st and Lamar. That's the St. Dept. for Aging and Services, but they could easily sell 3/4 the land and build a parking garage on the remaining portion.

The southwest corner of North Loop and Lamar, which is even worse suburban blight than the northwestern corner where Carmen is going.

The lot across from Half Price Books AND the Half Price Books lot are both prime redevelopment opportunities. Half Price Books would actually work very well in a more urban street-front setting with retail above (similar in nature to how the preexisting Alamo Drafthouse is being incorporated into the development on South Lamar). They could easily incorporate a coffee shop into their model in such an event.

And the godawful DPS parcel. They have no business ruining that stretch of land. They should move somewhere more easily accessible by commuters. I.E. to a building on freeway frontage. God, if that parcel were redeveloped into a VMU, that development would be absolutely game-changing for that part of town. The sheer number of units that could be in a 5-6 story would guarantee decent foot traffic for street level retail fronting Lamar and Koenig, with parking garages nested in the center of the parcel and more traditional retail fronting Guadalupe.

It's unfortunate that the other corners of Lamar and Airport/Justin really aren't large enough, shaped properly, or inhabited by older crappy buildings ripe for a VMU development, but even VMUs just a few blocks down will draw some users to the Crestview Station on the rail line.

Always thought the same thing about the DPS, especially the fenced-in semi-junk yard portion. They do have some cool old assault vehicles though...

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

The biggest parcels now to redevelop on the stretch between the Triangle and Crestview (that's basically the extent of that corridor):

The parking lot at 51st and Lamar. That's the St. Dept. for Aging and Services, but they could easily sell 3/4 the land and build a parking garage on the remaining portion.

The southwest corner of North Loop and Lamar, which is even worse suburban blight than the northwestern corner where Carmen is going.

The lot across from Half Price Books AND the Half Price Books lot are both prime redevelopment opportunities. Half Price Books would actually work very well in a more urban street-front setting with retail above (similar in nature to how the preexisting Alamo Drafthouse is being incorporated into the development on South Lamar). They could easily incorporate a coffee shop into their model in such an event.

And the godawful DPS parcel. They have no business ruining that stretch of land. They should move somewhere more easily accessible by commuters. I.E. to a building on freeway frontage. God, if that parcel were redeveloped into a VMU, that development would be absolutely game-changing for that part of town. The sheer number of units that could be in a 5-6 story would guarantee decent foot traffic for street level retail fronting Lamar and Koenig, with parking garages nested in the center of the parcel and more traditional retail fronting Guadalupe.

It's unfortunate that the other corners of Lamar and Airport/Justin really aren't large enough, shaped properly, or inhabited by older crappy buildings ripe for a VMU development, but even VMUs just a few blocks down will draw some users to the Crestview Station on the rail line.

I'll have to find the link from the COA's website, but I believe the small building at the SW corner of North Loop and Lamar will be a Taco Cabana (I could be wrong, but it would be kind of ironic given the development at S Lamar and Riverside).

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by greywallsareboring

Always thought the same thing about the DPS, especially the fenced-in semi-junk yard portion. They do have some cool old assault vehicles though...

Perhaps one day, though DPS recently added a couple of multi-story buildings on the campus.

The strip center Camden is replacing at Lamar/N Loop was very unsightly. I believe it was built in the 60s or 70s. Adios mi amigo.

There would appear to be additional redevelopment opportunities as far north as 183 on Lamar. It looks like some townhomes are going up at the north/northwest side of Crestview Station now. This in addition to the 4 story apartments behind the existing ones along Lamar.

[nixcity]

I love the way my fellow SSP members think. We should all run for city council, maybe we would represent enough of the districts to keep these kinds of projects moving forward. Hopefully the redevelopment where Highball was will be a good working model for places like where that Half Price Books is now.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by nixcity

I love the way my fellow SSP members think. We should all run for city council, maybe we would represent enough of the districts to keep these kinds of projects moving forward. Hopefully the redevelopment where Highball was will be a good working model for places like where that Half Price Books is now.

That's what I said...

[migol24]

it be nice to see someone from on here run for city council. enough of all this yapping and get to it!

[KevinFromTexas]

StreetLights Residential's website:
http://www.streetlightsres.com/about-slr.html

http://impactnews.com/articles/job-g...ew-apartments/

Job growth, demand spur new apartments

by Lyndsey Taylor
December 20, 2012

Vast job growth and high demand for rental properties have driven developers to build 1,120 units in the North Austin area during the next 12–16 months with 8,120 units expected to be built in the overall Austin area, said Robin Davis, manager at Austin Investors Interests LLC, which provides market research on multifamily apartment properties and trends for the Austin and San Antonio areas.

“Employment in those [North Austin] areas is going to justify those units,” Davis said. “I think that’s an area where some major employers are adding positions, and there is a bit of growth.”

Overall apartment occupancy in Austin is 95.8 percent. In the North Austin area, occupancy is at 95.5 percent, which is the highest since 2000 when occupancy topped 97 percent, according to the historical absorption report for North Austin area ZIP codes from AII.

-

http://impactnews.com/articles/city-...side-corridor/

City considers regulating plan to transform East Riverside Corridor

by Gene Davis
December 20, 2012

Proposal would create pedestrian- friendly hubs, improve infrastructure
A longstanding plan to transform East Riverside Drive is gaining momentum.
Austin City Council is considering a regulating plan for the 3.5 mile–long corridor between Hwy. 71 and I-35, which resident Timothy Marcus described as a “strip mall wasteland.”

“The corridor was basically designed for cars,” said Erica Leak, project manager with the City of Austin’s Planning and Development Review Department. “Now there are limited [pedestrian-friendly] facilities, but it’s still a pretty hostile environment for pedestrians. There are huge parking lots, and I’m not sure there are any trees along any of this corridor, so in the summer, it’s really quite a hot place to be.”

The East Riverside Corridor is about as big as downtown and serves as a gateway to Austin, Leak said.

[AviationGuy]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Perhaps one day, though DPS recently added a couple of multi-story buildings on the campus.

The strip center Camden is replacing at Lamar/N Loop was very unsightly. I believe it was built in the 60s or 70s. Adios mi amigo.

There would appear to be additional redevelopment opportunities as far north as 183 on Lamar. It looks like some townhomes are going up at the north/northwest side of Crestview Station now. This in addition to the 4 story apartments behind the existing ones along Lamar.

A neighbor tells me that she thinks the vacuum cleaner place at N. Loop and Lamar has been torn down. Is that correct? I haven't been over there in a while.

[JoninATX]

I was at the Domain a few days ago and snapped some pictures of some unknown projects that are going up in that area.


New construction going up behind the Westin. I also remember someone stating that a 12 st. tower will go up directly behind it.


http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show....php?p=5773839

[actham]

I noticed the other day that the API Graphics between 360 and Shoal Creek on 4th is moving to north Lamar. Does anybody know if this spot has been sold and if so what might be going in there? The tract is small but could be kind of a cool spot for development.

[AviationGuy]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

I was at the Domain a few days ago and snapped some pictures of some unknown projects that are going up in that area.

Coincidentally, I went to the Domain today for the first time since the day it opened. I had never been all that interested in it, but this time I was impressed. The amount of construction in the past few years is phenomenal. I didn't know that an entire new section had opened. Strangely, the new part was virtually devoid of people, but the original section was packed with people. Interestingly, the older and busier part was almost all "well heeled" Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, Indians, and Middle Easterners. I was one of the few Anglos, and being in my jeans and flannel shirt, I was way underdressed. The place felt like shopping districts in Houston, but not Austin. That's not meant to be negative; in fact, I liked it.

The one thing that baffled me was that the old and new sections of the Domain are separated by a huge parking lot. I don't know what the designers were thinking.

Incidentally, the reason I was there was to use a Dillard's gift card to do some shopping. I did not realize how extremely pricey that store is. Target is more my style.