AUSTIN | Waterline | 1,034 Feet | 73 Floors | T/O - Page 30

The ATX · #**581** Posted **Jan 25, 2016, 1:53 AM**

In that Bisnow article/fluffy goodness from last October that said this project would break ground after the first of the year (break buildings may be more accurate) Mac Pike also said he had a "hotel lined up for the project".

Based on the current market conditions I can the hotel and one of the residential buildings as well as the office portion going forward.

Re-post of the article: https://www.bisnow.com/austin-san-an...-preview-51105

AustinGoesVertical · #**582** Posted **Jan 25, 2016, 4:04 PM**

Could you imagine this happening in its current iteration. That's like having three buildings the scale of (360, Frost Bank, and Seaholm) built simultaneously on the same site. That would be huge for Austin. At that corner, it would serve as a link between the convention center area and the Rainey St. district. Right now there's kind of an awkward gap up Red River between the Fairmont and Hotel Van Zandt.

AustinGoesVertical · #**583** Posted **Jan 25, 2016, 4:21 PM**

One big concern for me is the state of the design. Those renderings for a project of this scale seem really subpar. (Just compare them to 5th and West's illustrations and you get the difference). I agree that I find it strange that there is no full-scale marketing push for this project. The architect's (IBI) page on it is worrisome (those dated, primitive renderings and a description of 21-floors for the office, 38 for the hotel/residential building, and 46 for the tallest residential structure). I mean, why wouldn't this firm want glowing renderings with accurate info?

We vs us · #**584** Posted **Jan 25, 2016, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

One big concern for me is the state of the design. Those renderings for a project of this scale seem really subpar. (Just compare them to 5th and West's illustrations and you get the difference). I agree that I find it strange that there is no full-scale marketing push for this project. The architect's (IBI) page on it is worrisome (those dated, primitive renderings and a description of 21-floors for the office, 38 for the hotel/residential building, and 46 for the tallest residential structure). I mean, why wouldn't this firm want glowing renderings with accurate info?

One reason might be -- if you take the Bisnow article at face value -- that delivery on the first phase isn't until 2019. Compare with the renderings we're getting for, say, the Independent, with delivery in 2017; or for the Austin Proper, with the same general timeframe. Using those as examples, it might still be a bit until we start to see a full-on marketing push.

ILUVSAT · #**585** Posted **Jan 25, 2016, 5:25 PM**

The level of rendering one would receive is proportional to the amount of money paid for said rendering.

Thus, it can be deduced that Sutton did not pay very much for the renderings (when compared to active projects like The Independent, Fifth+West, Austin Proper, 500 West Second, etc.). Why would they? They are not sure if they can actually build this project. So, I don't blame them for not throwing money at pretty rendering.

Having said that, I find their original rendering to be far more interesting than the current one. Much better design, imo.

And yes, this will be a huge undertaking - if built in its current form. The amount of space which would be constructed is equivalent to the JW Marriott (~1.4 million SF).

Downtown_Austin · #**586** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 4:20 PM**

Demolition milestone at Waller Park Place. North of Willow is completely clear.

Jdawgboy · #**587** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 5:34 PM**

I had a sinking feeling it was going to be suface parking. They wouldn't have paid parking $10 plus monthly parking in front of ongoing demolition if they were going to start construction immediately after. It's going to be ugly parking lots for who knows how long. Just what we always wanted a long a soon to be flood controlled Waller Creek!

_Matt · #**588** Posted **Jan 27, 2016, 7:03 PM**

The area (like most of Austin) is underserved by public transport. It's unfortunate, but until more public garages go up in the area, parking is severely needed. I typically take Uber or Lyft if I am going to Rainey, but not everybody has that option.

Homecreek · #**589** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 5:22 AM**

I just went to google maps and there was a paid parking sign in the street view. The blue metal poles were for the money. Not saying it won't be a huge surface lot but I have some hope.

KevinFromTexas · #**590** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 5:30 AM**

Yeah, those blue metal posts were part of the building that was there. They held up the even under the roof on this side of the building. And yeah, they had a drop box for the money between two of them.

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2610...8i6656!6m1!1e1

The ATX · #**591** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 8:12 AM**

I'll bet we see a few tents go up for SXSW events before we see any real site prep.

Downtown_Austin · #**592** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 4:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I had a sinking feeling it was going to be suface parking. They wouldn't have paid parking $10 plus monthly parking in front of ongoing demolition if they were going to start construction immediately after. It's going to be ugly parking lots for who knows how long. Just what we always wanted a long a soon to be flood controlled Waller Creek!

The Convention Center Overlay prohibits new surface level parking lots throughout much of the eastern half of downtown Austin, including Rainey Street [district]. The intent of the overlay is to discourage under-utilization, and encourage structured parking with new high-rise development. The overlay puts pressure on the owner to develop the property, rather than grow complacent from collecting parking income.

wwmiv · #**593** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 5:12 PM**

So, this land cannot, by ordinance, be used for parking?

_Matt · #**594** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

The Convention Center Overlay prohibits new surface level parking lots throughout much of the eastern half of downtown Austin, including Rainey Street [district]. The intent of the overlay is to discourage under-utilization, and encourage structured parking with new high-rise development. The overlay puts pressure on the owner to develop the property, rather than grow complacent from collecting parking income.

That's cool to hear. What can they build with current zoning?

AustinGoesVertical · #**595** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 8:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Matt

That's cool to hear. What can they build with current zoning?

I believe they can build something the scope of Waller Park Place. That site plan was approved already.

_Matt · #**596** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 10:36 PM**

Ahh, thanks. So it's basically wide open. So, if they decided to build something else, e.g. a 7-11, they would submit a new site plan?

Downtown_Austin · #**597** Posted **Jan 28, 2016, 11:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

So, this land cannot, by ordinance, be used for parking?

It begs the question because there had been some pay parking on the site in recent months, BUT, I believe the difference between then and now is that parking cannot become the only use of the site (without the warehouse structure).

cprice · #**598** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 2:29 AM**

I'm assuming they will bury those power lines? That would be a pretty terrible eyesore in front of 3 new buildings.

The ATX · #**599** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 8:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cprice

I'm assuming they will bury those power lines? That would be a pretty terrible eyesore in front of 3 new buildings.

I think we'll be lucky if this project gets built anywhere close to the proposal with or without the power lines.

GoldenBoot · #**600** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 11:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cprice

I'm assuming they will bury those power lines? That would be a pretty terrible eyesore in front of 3 new buildings.

I wouldn't worry about three new buildings. In agreement with The ATX, I think you would have a better chance of throwing a perfect game than for this thing to get built in its currently presented form.

Note: On the "Waller Park Place" page of Sutton's website they have removed renderings and changed the description of the project. It barely mentions a "residential tower" and makes no reference of office or hotel space.

However, it does make a small mention of this project in their "Other Projects" area of the site. But, that info seems to be old...siting an early 2015 groundbreaking.