AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III

[shakman]

That was too close. I wonder if OSHA made a visit.

[The ATX]

I wish my downtown office was the one with the crane knocking on the window.

[KevinFromTexas]

They could go higher. That block is not affected by a CVC.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...lanned-/nWM24/

Posted: 5:51 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013
Downtown residents, developer at odds over planned tower

By Gary Dinges

Residents of a downtown Austin high-rise say a 24-story tower slated to be built immediately adjacent to their homes is too close for comfort.

Plans call for the tower to be 16 feet from balconies on the south side of the Plaza Lofts, at 311 W. Fifth St., homeowners say.

Taylor and her neighbors are asking for 25 additional feet of space between the tower and the Plaza Lofts building. That, she says, will give residents some room to breathe and allow more light to enter their homes.

“We don’t care if they make the building 100 stories tall,” she said. “All we’re asking for is 25 extra feet.”

[JoninATX]

Looking at google maps the extra 25ft set back will put the edge of the new tower near the center of the site. So if that happens we can except a slim tower.

[P3FE]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

They could go higher. That block is not affected by a CVC.

http://www.statesman.com/news/busine...lanned-/nWM24/

You have got to read the comments section for this article because they are absolutely delicious. When read all together I think the comments rather succinctly enumerate why city council ought have no sympathy for Plaza Lofts residents.

[WestAustinite]

I think this whole Plaza Lofts debacle is an excellent example of a developer screwup on the part of the original Plaza Lofts developer. Certainly, anyone who develops an office building or apartment tower would not expect to protect the views. That's crazy. This is especially nuts for a condo tower were the tenants OWN the property and have far more interest in protecting their views.

The people who bought condos on the south side were rather naive. Did they really expect that another building would never be built on that site when they first stepped onto their balcony when purchasing their condo? I think they always knew it was coming but chose to wear rose colored glasses. I could understand their anger if they purchased their condos based on a promise that the views would be protected. I doubt that's the case.

The city should be more careful when reviewing site plans for sides of resdential buildings that face alleys.

[LoneStarMike]

There was a story on KVUE tonight (with video) about the people in the Plaza Lofts complaining about their new next door neighbors.

New downtown Austin tower sparks concerns
by SHANNON MURRAY / KVUE NEWS and photojournalist DAVID GARDENER
February 13, 2013

The video shows Cindy Taylor's view now and what her view will look like if the proposed tower is built.

[Syndic]

I don't blame them for looking out for their own interests, but I hope they don't get their way. I really don't want to see Zaza have to add a parking garage. If I lived there for 11 years, I'd be pissed, too. Not only is their view taken away and sunlight decreased, but their property value also takes a big hit, so selling isn't a great solution, either. But, yeah, they had to have known going into it that something was going to be built there and that what gets built would be beyond their control.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

I think this whole Plaza Lofts debacle is an excellent example of a developer screwup on the part of the original Plaza Lofts developer. Certainly, anyone who develops an office building or apartment tower would not expect to protect the views. That's crazy. This is especially nuts for a condo tower were the tenants OWN the property and have far more interest in protecting their views.

The people who bought condos on the south side were rather naive. Did they really expect that another building would never be built on that site when they first stepped onto their balcony when purchasing their condo? I think they always knew it was coming but chose to wear rose colored glasses. I could understand their anger if they purchased their condos based on a promise that the views would be protected. I doubt that's the case.

The city should be more careful when reviewing site plans for sides of resdential buildings that face alleys.

This is exactly right. The residents of the Plaza lofts are asking for a "mere" 25 feet (c'mon be a good neighbor) off of the alley. . .the ALLEY, in the CBD. . .a mere 25'!!! Please. NIMBY is as NIMBY does.

Did the residence think they had a right to their views when they purchased their places? If so - they were very much mistaken. It would be a mistake for the city to grant such a right ex-post facto. I hope if they do so they assign a value to that property and send the condo owners a big fat bill.

Also, as a taxpayer, I resent the loss in ad valorem taxes this could cost the city. How are we going to pay for all the pet projects of the city council without a sufficiently large tax base to pay for it all?

Finally - what message are we saying to future downtown dwellers? Make a big enough stink and the city will bestow millions of dollars worth of concessions to you?

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by Syndic

I don't blame them for looking out for their own interests, but I hope they don't get their way. I really don't want to see Zaza have to add a parking garage. If I lived there for 11 years, I'd be pissed, too. Not only is their view taken away and sunlight decreased, but their property value also takes a big hit, so selling isn't a great solution, either. But, yeah, they had to have known going into it that something was going to be built there and that what gets built would be beyond their control.

The property value should always have accounted for the possibility of a building there. To grant them their request would be to bestow upon them a windfall. I'm not really sympathetic to this view.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by P3FE

You have got to read the comments section for this article because they are absolutely delicious. When read all together I think the comments rather succinctly enumerate why city council ought have no sympathy for Plaza Lofts residents.

The whining residents are getting no support. It looks like this may be the one time the anti-everything new trolls who usually dominate the comments are on the same side as the build it already folks (like us).

One of the comments pointed out that a building was proposed there several years ago (pre-recession) and that should have been a heads up to move.

[NYC_Longhorn]

Just wait until 3 eleven bowie goes up... I can't wait to see the view from monarch! No one will complain though because Monarch and 311 Bowie are apartments... Imagine how much they'd be freaking out of Monarch had been condos!

Hotel Zaza should have designed the building further back and higher, and remember there was a cool bar where Hotel Zaza is being planned... even so, it's a part of city living.... sucks for the condo owners... I think they are being reasonable by agreeing to let the Hotel go higher.... I would love to see a 40 floor building there.

[The ATX]

A lot of building permits for the 3rd and Colorado office building have been filed recently including one for a tower crane that was filed this week.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=10895293

[Dale]

Been waiting for this one. It's a looker!

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice. Man that is going to be sweet having that and the JW Marriott rising together.

[ATXboom]

"The property value should always have accounted for the possibility of a building there. To grant them their request would be to bestow upon them a windfall. I'm not really sympathetic to this view."

^ This! In any big city the sides facing into a block are always MUCH less value.


Glad to hear 3rd and Colorado is moving forward! I'm only considering this year a success if that and the Manchester hotel break ground.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by atxboom

"the property value should always have accounted for the possibility of a building there. To grant them their request would be to bestow upon them a windfall. I'm not really sympathetic to this view."

^ this! In any big city the sides facing into a block are always much less value.


Glad to hear 3rd and colorado is moving forward! I'm only considering this year a success if that and the manchester hotel break ground.

and seaholm

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

A lot of building permits for the 3rd and Colorado office building have been filed recently including one for a tower crane that was filed this week.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=10895293

Does this mean they'll break ground soon?

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by ATXboom

Glad to hear 3rd and Colorado is moving forward! I'm only considering this year a success if that and the Manchester hotel break ground.

Originally Posted by ahealy

and seaholm

I expect that Manchester and 3rd&Co will break ground this year. I'm less solid with Seaholm, but I do think that it will break ground either this year or next.

Originally Posted by ahealy

Does this mean they'll break ground soon?

Yes, this is a good indicator that they'll be breaking ground soon.

[wwmiv]

Another good bit of news today:

http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_D...ndbreaking.php

And a new rendering, which honestly makes this look like a great project:



Also:

It’s also great to see a project making the maximum use of the height limit available to it in the Capitol View Corridor, which translates into maximum property tax revenue to subsidize the suburbs pay into the general fund for parks and police. Look at these elevation drawings and not (sic, should be "note") how the building literally butts up to the height cap.

I don't think this has been brought up before, but it's great they're using the space to the max.