AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III - Page 221

crewer · #**4401** Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 3:36 PM**

I keep reverting back to these photos of Third + Shoal next to that hotel/condo tower, and it's a head-shaker. The condo tower is arguably one of the best-designed I've seen for Austin. Given it's design, it needs greater exposure on the north side. But with the office tower as close as it is, there will be very little natural light for either building on the adjoining sides. It's a shame that Third + Shoal didn't have a west-side step back, similar to the condo.

I know many will argue for density, and I'm all for it, but there should better plans and regulations in place.

On another note, and maybe someone here can confirm this, I was told that the 32-story Aloft Hotel was designed with no windows on the south side, in the event that another tower is built next to it. It'll be a 32-story blank wall.

I've not found any renderings showing a full view of the south side, but I can see a little bit of it in this shot. That may end up being one hell of an eyesore.

drummer · #**4402** Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 11:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardensoul

Great shot!

The ATX · #**4403** Posted **Nov 23, 2015, 3:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewer

I keep reverting back to these photos of Third + Shoal next to that hotel/condo tower, and it's a head-shaker. The condo tower is arguably one of the best-designed I've seen for Austin. Given it's design, it needs greater exposure on the north side. But with the office tower as close as it is, there will be very little natural light for either building on the adjoining sides. It's a shame that Third + Shoal didn't have a west-side step back, similar to the condo.

I know many will argue for density, and I'm all for it, but there should better plans and regulations in place.

On another note, and maybe someone here can confirm this, I was told that the 32-story Aloft Hotel was designed with no windows on the south side, in the event that another tower is built next to it. It'll be a 32-story blank wall.

I've not found any renderings showing a full view of the south side, but I can see a little bit of it in this shot. That may end up being one hell of an eyesore.

There was a lot of discussion about the south wall in the thread for this project. It's quite obviously the biggest (or only) negative about this project.
I don't know of any plans for a high rise next door, so we may have to look at it for quite a while.

KevinFromTexas · #**4404** Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 11:48 PM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...7&t=1448990899

Quote:

Jenga-style condo tower developers purchase downtown land; site work set to start

Dec 1, 2015, 11:19am CST

The Jenga-style high rise known as The Independent, which would bring an unconventional punctuation to the Austin skyline, appears to be set for construction with the announcement Tuesday that the developer has closed on the 1.7-acre parcel of land that had been owned by the city.

Based on the existing government agreement, development partners Constructive Ventures, Aspen Heights and CIM Group paid $14.5 million to the city for the site of the former Austin Energy Center at West Third Street and West Avenue — near the Seaholm and Green Water Treatment Plant redevelopments.

Demolition and site work are scheduled to begin this month. Construction financing has been secured, though no specifics about the source of that loan was disclosed.

-

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2015/1...er-park-place/

Quote:

Signals of progress at Waller Park Place

This past weekend, fencing was observed being erected around the site of Waller Park Place, the largest private development ever proposed in downtown Austin. Demolition permits were issued back in August for the vacant structures along Red River Street. The new fencing is a sure sign that site prep is about to begin.

-

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...ng-to-m/npZZB/

Quote:

Austin Music Hall demolition starts in spring to make way for tower

Posted: 3:38 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015

By Gary Dinges - American-Statesman Staff

Plans have been finalized for a 29-story office building that will replace the concert venue at 208 Nueces St. in downtown Austin, with demolition crews set to begin work in either late February or early March, according to Cielo Property Group and Tier REIT, the companies redeveloping the site.

The new 345,000-square-foot tower, to be known as Third+Shoal, is set to be complete by late 2017. It will have a number of unusual features, including some floors with lofts aimed at tenants looking for unconventional office spaces and a valet overseeing storage of as many as 200 bicycles.

drummer · #**4405** Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 5:58 AM**

^^ Only three articles on relatively big developments? That's all? Slow month...

The ATX · #**4406** Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 2:31 PM**

To sum up yesterday's good news about three projects moving forward, they consist of these five towers:

58-story/688' - Condos
53-story/615' - Condos & Hotel
45-story/525' - Apartments
29-story/387' - Office
26-story/333' - Office

Dale · #**4407** Posted **Dec 2, 2015, 3:23 PM**

These five alone would classify as a boom in most cities.

KevinFromTexas · #**4408** Posted **Dec 3, 2015, 10:43 PM**

Photo by JTpics.com - https://www.facebook.com/JTpics/ - Shared by - The Austinot - https://www.facebook.com/theAustinot...type=3&theater

Northshore Austin - https://www.facebook.com/NorthshoreA...type=3&theater

photoLith · #**4409** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 12:26 AM**

Can someone post like a 1999 skyline shot compared to todays?

mSeattle · #**4410** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 12:32 AM**

I wish the state capitol of Washington (Olympia) was built up like this.

The ATX · #**4411** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 2:19 AM**

Just wait for the view in about three years. It will be even a bigger difference than this one compared to 1999.

wwmiv · #**4412** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 7:22 AM**

I'm surprised we aren't talking about this (x-posted to Updates, Plaza Saltillo, and East Austin threads):

Quote:

The vision/conceptual plan is by Torti Gallas and Partners. Michael Hsu is the lead local architect, so the aesthetics will match the design sensibilities of his other popular projects, including the ZACH Theatre, 04 Mixed-Use Development (Perla’s), and Lamar Union.

Before breaking down the details on the final Plaza Saltillo development, I’ll venture a guess that the office tenant will be a major tech company. I find it peculiar that there was no office space envisioned when Endeavor pitched to become the site developer, which leads me to believe the office space is not being built on spec, but on the signed line of an anchor tenant. Further, I’ve heard recently from a credible source that a major Fortune 500 tech giant is flirting with a sizable investment in Austin’s urban core. Again, this is just a semi-informed guess, but there you have it.

http://austintowers.net/plaza-saltil...am-to-reality/

Jdawgboy · #**4413** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 8:55 PM**

Things really have picked up again in the news department.

Speaking of Waller Park Place, I was driving into DT lastnight on Cesar Chavez and noticed they had the far right lane going west bound blocked from Red River to Waller Creek. I'm assuming that they were getting that side prepped but couldn't really tell what was going on exactly. I'll be through there again tonight so I'll try to get a better look if they have that lane blocked off again.

KevinFromTexas · #**4414** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

Can someone post like a 1999 skyline shot compared to todays?

These two are decent comparisons. This first one is from 1997.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homecreek

I took this picture from a twin engine plane that a friend of mine was checking out for a potential buyer. ( I got go along for the ride!) Anyway, there is only 1 construction crane in the picture. See if you can find it.

This one is from last week.

Photo by JTpics.com - Shared by The Austinot - https://www.facebook.com/theAustinot...type=3&theater

KevinFromTexas · #**4415** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 10:37 PM**

Groundbreaking is set for January 11 at 11:45 am.

http://www.kvue.com/story/life/2015/...onth/76646300/

Quote:

Construction on 'Jenga' tower set to start next month

AUSTIN -- Developers building The Independent, a 58-story condo building that resembles the game Jenga, have closed on a deal with the City of Austin to purchase an 1.7 acre lot at 3rd Street and West Avenue for $14.5 million.

Construction is set to start on the building in January 2016. Once complete, The Independent will take the title as Austin's tallest building and tallest residential tower west of the Mississippi. It's housed in the rapidly transforming Seaholm District.

Urbanspace was charged with selling the 374 condo units. Potential buyers reserved 90 percent of the units in just one week and it's easy to see why; in addition to the prime location, there are a lot of perks.

Facebook also had the building listed in their "trending stories" link at the top right today.
https://www.facebook.com/topic/Jenga...48768644927607

Screenshots from the KVUE video.