AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Come on guys it doesn't look that terrible. Plus not everything in Austin needs to look fabulous, and see it as more infill that we need around the city.

It's certainly better than the dilapidated two story parking garage that was there.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

It's certainly better than the dilapidated two story parking garage that was there.

Alot better than that hideous parking garage.

[Digatisdi]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Come on guys it doesn't look that terrible. Plus not everything in Austin needs to look fabulous, and see it as more infill that we need around the city.

My general rule is "Does it give me the same reaction as looking at the Hobby building?" and if not then I'm generally satisfied with it.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by Digatisdi

My general rule is "Does it give me the same reaction as looking at the Hobby building?" and if not then I'm generally satisfied with it.

I can agree to that, I can't believe someone let the Hobby Building go to s***. The outside is so terrible and moldly from the years of neglect. Hoping it gets a facelift soon. Now as far as the new hotel goes, I say it will look better than that monstrosity that is Hobby.

[427MM]

Celebrating 30 yrs of life, the One, the only (thankfully):

[AusTex]

Originally Posted by 427MM

The only thing in this rendering that is a small step up from a communist/soviet building is a bit of color. Otherwise it is simple corporate ugly...built on the cheap for profit sake only. This building is simply lacking anything on the exterior that will add to the rich fabric of Austin.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by AusTex

The only thing in this rendering that is a small step up from a communist/soviet building is a bit of color. Otherwise it is simple corporate ugly...built on the cheap for profit sake only. This building is simply lacking anything on the exterior that will add to the rich fabric of Austin.

Like

[MichaelB]

It is LCD ( lowest common denominator) architecture.
I would actually rather have the parking garage until something better came along.
Sorry. Just to build is not the point for me.
While seeing a crane go up excites me….I'll admit…. as geek as that is….
However,
I am fan of architecture not cranes.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

It is LCD ( lowest common denominator) architecture.
I would actually rather have the parking garage until something better came along.
Sorry. Just to build is not the point for me.
While seeing a crane go up excites me….I'll admit…. as geek as that is….
However,
I am fan of architecture not cranes.

Yup!

Infill is obviously great...but I refuse to like a building just because it's u/c or tall or whatever. I used be in the mindset of "well, it's a high-rise and will help serve the urban core..OK!" but I've noticed Austin is REALLY lacking in original, timeless, aesthetically pleasing buildings.

I'd take that parking garage any day over this beige box.

[KevinFromTexas]

I actually like the Hobby Building. I know it sucks eggs for street life, but it is an interesting building. You can't say it's a boring box. And its plaza does at least offer a retreat. It could be taller of course, but then again height isn't everything. I like that it's unique. There isn't anything else like it in Austin.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Yup!

Infill is obviously great...but I refuse to like a building just because it's u/c or tall or whatever. I used be in the mindset of "well, it's a high-rise and will help serve the urban core..OK!" but I've noticed Austin is REALLY lacking in original, timeless, aesthetically pleasing buildings.

I'd take that parking garage any day over this beige box.

An earlier rendering showed a much more colorful and interesting exterior color scheme. I don't object particularly to this building. It has something going on at street level, and there does not appear to be an ungainly parking podium facing the street, although it is kind of hard to determine from the rendering on the groundbreaking billboard. The height is right for the area. It is a much needed affordable hotel. You would have needed to wait a very long time for some other project to come along to replace that piece of excrement parking structure. I am glad it is gone, and I am glad this is going up.

I drove around downtown on Sunday and could not help but notice how ugly some of the newer and taller buildings actually are. The main problem is the parking podiums. They are ginormous and rob new construction of any real distinction at the street level or immediately above the street. Some of the smaller buildings over towards West Campus are especially offensive. Worst new building in town IMHO is the student housing thrown up where the fast food joint used to be on Guadalupe just south of MLK. Yikes. Talk about an eyesore.

[NYC2ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I actually like the Hobby Building. I know it sucks eggs for street life, but it is an interesting building. You can't say it's a boring box. And its plaza does at least offer a retreat. It could be taller of course, but then again height isn't everything. I like that it's unique. There isn't anything else like it in Austin.

That's just it. The hobby building would be 20 times better if they completely reconstructed the plaza and sidewalks surrounding it. I don't even think turning that fountain on again will do the trick, since it looks like it was dated the day it opened. They should redesign it completely to be less spare and more lush. Especially with the other impending projects on Republic Square and the advent of the great streets program.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://austin.culturemap.com/news/restau...-trailer-park-south-first-regal-ravioli/

Italian-themed food trailer park coming to South First Street

Call it Austin's version of Little Italy. On July 7, an Italian-themed trailer park will open on South First Street at Elizabeth Street (the home of La Barbecue before its move to the east side).

Regal Ravioli will move from its current location and join Seventh Flag Coffee, which currently sits on the site. "Right now it will be us in July and then August 1 there will be a Neapolitan-style brick oven pizza trailer coming in called 40N," Regal Ravioli's Chuck Stephens tells CultureMap via email. "The Seventh Flag guys are excited to have food out there and we [are] glad there will be some drink options right next door."

[lzppjb]

My aunt, who works at HEB, mentioned that the store they're going to build at Slaughter & I35 will be similar to the one they just opened in San Antonio (http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/loc...nt-opens-Friday-in-Stone-Oak-5565210.php). It'll have a separate HEB restaurant/cafe. Still no timetable on it getting built, although she mentioned there's been more talk about the store lately.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/news/business/200-million-project-planned-for-rbj-center-site/ngW2r/

Posted: 7:07 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2014
$200 million project planned for RBJ Center site

By Shonda Novak
American-Statesman Staff

A new future is about to unfold for a prime waterfront site that for 42 years has been home to the 16-story RBJ Center, an affordable housing development for senior citizens.

A team of local developers has been chosen to transform the nearly 18-acre site just east of downtown with 250 new units of affordable senior housing, 250 units of renovated senior housing in the existing building, about 340 units of market-rent apartments and condominiums for a mix of ages and incomes, and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.

[jngreenlee]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.statesman.com/news/business/200-million-project-planned-for-rbj-center-site/ngW2r/

That's it then, Holly street is ripe to explode in a year or two.

[KevinFromTexas]

Here's the full article:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business...acebook_2014_sfp#3ab378e6.3581740.735415

[Cd1076]

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

That's it then, Holly street is ripe to explode in a year or two.

I live in the area and I think it's going to be awesome for the most part. Between the RBJ development, Holly Shores and the new Rene Ortiz restaurant, Holly will be a very happening area in the next 5 years. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is Holly becoming such a thoroughfare for all of these destinations.

[Jdawgboy]

It will be interesting to see how it ends up. Hopefully they will incorporate the neighborhood's cultural heritage.

I also hope that the new residents respect the long time traditions like the Sunday evening lowrider cruise in the park. I used to be in a car club years ago and we would always go to what we call Chicano Park on Sundays. I don't have a fixed up car anymore but I still like to go there with friends to check out the rides.

One evening back around the beginning of May this year, I saw two old ladies presumably from the RBJ building standing along the road that goes by Martin Middle school and they were just watching all the cars. It was funny but pretty cool to see them. They looked like they were enjoying themselves.

[ahealy]

let's play GUESS WHERE