AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[drummer]

I was thinking one face for each digit of a digital clock...you have to go all the way around to see what time it is. It encourages walking more - healthy life and all.

[lzppjb]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'd like to see them replace the round faced clocks with square box led lit numbers that are red, like on an alarm clock, and instead of bell, an alarm that goes re re re re.

lmao the alarm sound would be real classy.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by drummer

I was thinking one face for each digit of a digital clock...you have to go all the way around to see what time it is. It encourages walking more - healthy life and all.

You would have to run, though, since several minutes would pass once you got to the other side. lol

[drummer]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

You would have to run, though, since several minutes would pass once you got to the other side. lol

Very true...so even healthier. We could have a circular running track around the tower for this purpose. I like where this is going.

[drummer]

So I was scoping out Google Earth since it updated the Austin area recently. Someone take a look at MACC...are they expanding their surface parking lot? It seems like they are between the current lot and the lake. Can anyone verify this?

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by drummer

So I was scoping out Google Earth since it updated the Austin area recently. Someone take a look at MACC...are they expanding their surface parking lot? It seems like they are between the current lot and the lake. Can anyone verify this?

You apparently have an updated Google Earth view that not everyone has. In my view of the MACC the Hotel Van Zandt is barely above ground.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

You apparently have an updated Google Earth view that not everyone has. In my view of the MACC the Hotel Van Zandt is barely above ground.

Both the one on my Mac and the one on my phone are updated to, I think, February 2016 now. Definitely within the past few months in any case. I can't see a date on my phone, but I know it's the same image.

Edit: Finally got back to my computer. The GoogleEarth Pro is updated to February 4, 2016, for much of the Austin metro area. The GoogleEarth app on my iPhone is updated to the same imagery. Van Zandt is finished, Fairmont is well above ground, Millennium Rainey looks mostly finished (cars parked on the top level of the garage - probably workers), there are a couple small projects on Rainey Street, one on East Ave. (facing I-35), 70Rainey is beginning to be cleared but the food trucks are still around...etc. It's really cool to see this view of a lot of the projects as they have a greater impact on the density of the area - as well as other parts of downtown.

I just wanted to check to see if it was indeed an enlargement of their surface lot. Technically, it's their land and they can do what they want, I suppose...but it's a double standard because they're complaining about traffic and growth in the neighborhood - all while bringing more traffic by encouraging more folks to drive to their place. I'm all about the MACC preserving cultural heritage and bringing awareness to the history of the area. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of hypocrisy.

[lzppjb]

I have a little bit of a possible rumor/scoop re: HEB buying Twin Oaks shopping center across the intersection from the Oltorf HEB location.

Apparently, there have been rumblings within HEB of them possibly trying a mixed use project at that location. HEB at street level + a few levels of living quarters (not sure if apartments or condos). The person I talked with said they had heard these rumblings, but at the time it went around, it was just an idea. When I told this person about what was posted here (HEB buying Twin Oaks), they said that would make sense and jive with the ideas/rumors that had gone around at work.

[Urbannizer]

82-84 Rainey Street

Located in The Rainey Street District adjacent to the elegant 70 Rainey luxury condominiums. This highly visible mixed-use development which includes 75,740 square feet of multiple exciting uses will soon be the most talked about project in the Heart of the District. Rainey District will offer an eclectic tenant experience from the outdoor patios, restaurants, music venue and stunning office space.

[drummer]

^ Since Google Earth was updated, you can see the lots being cleared for this one. Just a bit north of 70 Rainey.

[The ATX]

I think I like it, but I'm not sure yet. The mixed uses is nice addition to the area. Another great find Urbannizer.

[The ATX]

After reading through the info in Urbannizer's link I decided that I like this just because of the mix of stuff going on. It'll be across the street from Bangers. And just for the record since this is a skyscraper forum, it's 103' tall.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by The ATX

After reading through the info in Urbannizer's link I decided that I like this just because of the mix of stuff going on. It'll be across the street from Bangers. And just for the record since this is a skyscraper forum, it's 103' tall.

I find it hard not to like it. It adds some much needed office space to Rainey. The daytime uses and foot traffic in the area could use some help. This should definitely add to that.

[KevinFromTexas]

That reminds me of the Marriott Courtyard in North Austin up by I-35 and 290, and also the Skyline Terrace low income housing on Ben White in South Austin.

[wwmiv]

Looks like a post mod take on the word "barn" and I love it.

[Tech House]

It's fascinating how well that works behind the Rainey bungalows. Maybe it subconsciously evokes images of farm houses with giant barns in the background. That might sound facetious but I'm serious, I really get a feeling of that being like a large agricultural structure on a farm, and the bungalows are not only houses but also stand-ins for smaller outbuildings. It's nifty, and adds nice variety to the inventory of structures in the vicinity.

Of course they need to add an 8-level parking podium before it receives final approval, so let's not get too excited yet.

Regarding Google Earth, I would assume that you'll get the most up-to-date images by clearing your cache regularly. It's not that some people have a newer version of GE, it's that GE is pulling old images you've previously downloaded rather than downloading current versions of those images.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

82-84 Rainey Street

Yikes!! It will be talked about for certain. Kevin is right. It does look a lot like the northern exposure of that former Ramada Inn on Ben White, this time clad in trendy steel siding. I think I hate it. At least they seem to be planning to retain some of the original(?) bungalow structures fronting on Rainey.

[KevinFromTexas]

It just reminded me of it, because I was riding past it the other day on Ben White. That building actually has a big balcony/deck on the main roof facing north, and that notch in this building at the top reminded me of it, besides the roof and windows, too.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Tech House

It's fascinating how well that works behind the Rainey bungalows. Maybe it subconsciously evokes images of farm houses with giant barns in the background. That might sound facetious but I'm serious, I really get a feeling of that being like a large agricultural structure on a farm, and the bungalows are not only houses but also stand-ins for smaller outbuildings. It's nifty, and adds nice variety to the inventory of structures in the vicinity.

Of course they need to add an 8-level parking podium before it receives final approval, so let's not get too excited yet.

Regarding Google Earth, I would assume that you'll get the most up-to-date images by clearing your cache regularly. It's not that some people have a newer version of GE, it's that GE is pulling old images you've previously downloaded rather than downloading current versions of those images.

I still can't get the new Google Earth images. I cleared the cache as you suggested. I even uninstalled and reinstalled it.

[lzppjb]

Looks like a giant barn. I like it.