AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 132

MichaelB · #**2621** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 3:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

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

http://austintowers.net/plaza-saltillo-redevelopment-steps-over-line-from-dream-to-reality/

Minor detail, unless you are the architect, Hsu didn't design ZACH. Anderson/Wise did. I'm sure both architects would like that correction. ;-)

The ATX · #**2622** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 9:49 PM**

The Statesman has an article about the changing skyline.

http://specials.mystatesman.com/austin-skyline/

This photo is from the article:

The ATX · #**2623** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 11:43 PM**

I updated the Wikipedia page for the list of Austin's tallest buildings a couple months ago. I updated height info and added buildings using the heights we have for them on SSP. But somebody recently edited the heights for One American Center and the Four Season condos and listed their heights as 401'. Does anyone know where these heights may have come from?

KevinFromTexas · #**2624** Posted **Dec 4, 2015, 11:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

I updated the Wikipedia page for the list of Austin's tallest buildings a couple months ago. I updated height info and added buildings using the heights we have for them on SSP. But somebody recently edited the heights for One American Center and the Four Season condos and listed their heights as 401'. Does anyone know where these heights may have come from?

The 401 foot height for the One American Center came from the original building elevations that the city had stored. I viewed them in person. I even got copies.

The height for the Four Seasons Residences came from an email from either the developer or architect.

The ATX · #**2625** Posted **Dec 5, 2015, 12:04 AM**

Great! We now have officially two more 400 footers which beefs up the list.

427MM · #**2626** Posted **Dec 6, 2015, 4:24 PM**

Taken yesterday (12/5/15) from the top of Austin City Lofts

The ATX · #**2627** Posted **Dec 6, 2015, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427MM

Taken yesterday (12/5/15) from the top of Austin City Lofts

I see that they have struck water.

427MM · #**2628** Posted **Dec 6, 2015, 4:50 PM**

The tower crane for 5th and Colo came down yesterday and Austin is still gorgeous. Can't wait for the Independent!!

drummer · #**2629** Posted **Dec 7, 2015, 1:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

I see that they have struck water.

Ha, I was just thinking, "Wow, they built a land bridge."

Jdawgboy · #**2630** Posted **Dec 7, 2015, 6:24 PM**

It's been a few days since it's rained so it's interesting to see that much water pooled. I would think they will have to install pumps especially being right up along Shoal Creek.

drummer · #**2631** Posted **Dec 12, 2015, 1:29 AM**

Maybe it's a water feature?

paul78701 · #**2632** Posted **Dec 15, 2015, 5:17 PM**

Statesman selling lakefront land to Cox family members:
http://www.statesman.com/news/business/statesman-selling-lakefront-land-to-cox-family-mem/npkC5/

Let the speculation begin...

Jdawgboy · #**2633** Posted **Dec 15, 2015, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Statesman selling lakefront land to Cox family members:
http://www.statesman.com/news/business/statesman-selling-lakefront-land-to-cox-family-mem/npkC5/

Let the speculation begin...

What has Cox been involved in other than media? I really don't know what to make of this to be honest.

paul78701 · #**2634** Posted **Dec 15, 2015, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Statesman selling lakefront land to Cox family members:
http://www.statesman.com/news/business/statesman-selling-lakefront-land-to-cox-family-mem/npkC5/

Let the speculation begin...

The ABJ article:
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/r...izj_austin+%28Austin+Business+Journal%29

Tech House · #**2635** Posted **Dec 15, 2015, 9:47 PM**

Cox is primarily involved in the media and automotive industries. My guess is that they're going to turn the South Shore district into a destination auto mall, complete with dealerships, repair and customization shops, and a wide range of auto parts and accessories stores.

No, but seriously, this is kind of a departure for Cox. It looks like a branching-out into commercial real estate investments. Whether they're planning to redevelop, lease the land out, or flip it, it's hard to argue with the choice to buy in to Austin's bright future at that choice location.

paul78701 · #**2636** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 4:34 PM**

Development controversy looms at Palm School site:
http://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/12/development-controversy-looms-palm-school-site/

Tech House · #**2637** Posted **Dec 19, 2015, 3:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Development controversy looms at Palm School site:
http://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2015/12/development-controversy-looms-palm-school-site/

"...Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, whose 9th District is home to Palm School, also expressed interest in the building’s preservation." She really grates on my nerves. I'm sure she's a lovely person and she's acting in what she believes to be the best interests of her constituents, but there's something about her that's like fingernails on a chalkboard. She's like a pretty, more subtle version of the boss in Office Space played by the brilliant Gary Cole.

It's plain to see that Palm School has historic value, but if it were up to voters to choose to spend an amount equivalent to the opportunity cost of preservation, there's absolutely no way it would be saved. People just don't like change, that's all there is to it.

Jdawgboy · #**2638** Posted **Dec 21, 2015, 4:14 AM**

While Biznow is a hype and fluff piece publication that rarely gets to the meat of the subject matter that they frequently intimate in their article headers, I think this sums up a legitimate reason why we have yet to see larger/taller office towers built in Downtown.

https://www.bisnow.com/austin-san-antoni...alk-new-projects-austins-longevity-53413

Quote:

Adam says the scale has been challenging. Investors have historically seen Austin as a smaller, lower-tier market, and it’s hard to get someone comfortable with a very large capital placement.

Hopefully that is starting to change but I never really thought about it until now.

As with their other articles, very little was actually written about Downtown's longevity other than a few bits here and there but nothing in depth.

Since we are coming up on the end of the year, I'm curious on what everyone thinks about what's in store for DT Austin in 2016?

What sorts of announcements for new highrises and if any will aim to break the 700 foot mark?

Will we finally see Park Place break ground?

Opinions on if 99 Trinity should be placed in the not happening catagory?

What's the deal with ZaZa?

Plus any other projects that have been proposed for awhile but have yet to move toward like Magellan..

drummer · #**2639** Posted **Dec 21, 2015, 5:26 AM**

Throw pictures up, too!

GoldenBoot · #**2640** Posted **Dec 21, 2015, 4:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

While Biznow is a hype and fluff piece publication that rarely gets to the meat of the subject matter that they frequently intimate in their article headers, I think this sums up a legitimate reason why we have yet to see larger/taller office towers built in Downtown.

https://www.bisnow.com/austin-san-antoni...alk-new-projects-austins-longevity-53413

Hopefully that is starting to change but I never really thought about it until now.

As with their other articles, very little was actually written about Downtown's longevity other than a few bits here and there but nothing in depth.

Since we are coming up on the end of the year, I'm curious on what everyone thinks about what's in store for DT Austin in 2016?

What sorts of announcements for new highrises and if any will aim to break the 700 foot mark?

Will we finally see Park Place break ground?

Opinions on if 99 Trinity should be placed in the not happening catagory?

What's the deal with ZaZa?

Plus any other projects that have been proposed for awhile but have yet to move toward like Magellan..

I don't expect many, if any, new large-scale (25+ stories) tower developments to be announced in 2016. We are approaching the end of the current growth cycle. If anything, I would bet on a new office development. However, that would come no were near sniffing the 700' mark in height.

As for the developments in which you inquired

-Waller Park Place - Don't hold your breath (at best this is on hold). Construction financing not fully secured, no hotel operator, no pre-leasing activity for office component, no pre-sales activity for condominium component, etc... Doesn't look good.

-99 Trinity - Consider this one mothballed. At best, on hold until the next building cycle (a few years away). World Class Capital has not shown the wherewithal to develop something of this size.

-Hotel ZaZa & Post Republic Square - Not sure what is going on. It's quickly approaching the mothballed category. However, there were hints that this project may wait until the next housing construction cycle.

-5th & Brazos (Magellan's deal) - at this point, I believe it would be safe to consider this one mothballed. Construction financing not fully secured, no hotel operator, etc... (see Waller Park Place). Furthermore, Magellan is a small shop and they are heavily focused on their new Vista Residences project in Chicago.

So, let's sit back, prop our feet up and watch and see what happens in the coming 1Q and 2Q 2016 - this will be telling. From an overall commercial real estate standpoint, most analysts and experts are predicting another good year - with a caveat - that it will not be as robust as what was witnessed in 2014 and 2015.