AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by futures

Did your source give you the address???

Nope, just somewhere DT. We discussed the viable locations though. I mentioned the old post office site on the west side but he seemed to rebuke that mention.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by drummer

theGeneral, we salute you!

Appreciate that! btw, you can just call me genral.

[KevinFromTexas]

Awesome. Let's hope it happens.

[We vs us]

SUPER curious about that hotel project. It sounds like it's free-standing and if that's true I'm not sure we know about it. Everything I can think of is accounted for.

Actually I take it back. There was one proposed for the IBC parking lot off W Sixth. Is that the one, Genral?

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by We vs us

SUPER curious about that hotel project. It sounds like it's free-standing and if that's true I'm not sure we know about it. Everything I can think of is accounted for.

Actually I take it back. There was one proposed for the IBC parking lot off W Sixth. Is that the one, Genral?

I'm currently looking into more details, I know its not near the Capitol. Patience. There are credibility issues at stake. If I can get a rendering, it will clear up a lot questions. It will also have the brand on it.

[KevinFromTexas]

Well, I remember someone posting an article about there being like 30 more hotels or something planned for Austin. It also listed the other Texas cities.

EDIT: here it is:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/20/b...stin.html?_r=0

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'm currently looking into more details, I know its not near the Capitol. Patience. There are credibility issues at stake. If I can get a rendering, it will clear up a lot questions. It will also have the brand on it.

No worries. Keep yourself in good standing. This stuff is a subject of constant speculation among us hotel-types, it will definitely keep.

Either way, great scoops all the way around!

[The ATX]

In order for a ~70-story tower to get built in this city, it most likely will require a large site, i.e. an entire block, due to the F.A.R. building requirements. It could of course, be on a block that's under the radar because currently operating businesses will need to be demo'ed. Since it would require additional city approvals to go that tall, it would also need to be on a site with zero to no political drama potential. In other words, not on the edge of Downtown and close to vocal neighborhood opposition. The likely candidates IMO are:


Travis County Block
Waller Park Place Site (if Sutton sells it)
Town Lake Villas Site (Sutton seems to be focusing on this project more than WPP)
Post Office Site

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by We vs us

No worries. Keep yourself in good standing. This stuff is a subject of constant speculation among us hotel-types, it will definitely keep.

Either way, great scoops all the way around!

OK, I found what I was looking for. When I was told the hotel would be tallish and unique, I was concerned because that was personal opinion. When I looked at the brand under construction or planned in other cities I saw a mixed bag. Then I wanted to check to see if this was already mentioned in a prior post, it was, by you, 4/5/16, Hotel M. post #24. So yes, I was told Virgin Hotel has one planned for Austin, previously on their wish list and its in the bidding phase. They are in NO, and Nashville, NY and Dallas either u/c or planned. From boxy to pretty cool. According to my source, "unique". Now its wait and see if this is accurate info. and if I can get the rendering he said he has...somewhere. It makes sense, they like touristy cities and offer a brand different than mainstream that Branson insist on. From what I understand, it wouldn't be his deep pockets that would finance this but investors interested in his brand. I'm concerned that this hasn't surfaced yet but perhaps they are about to once the bids are awarded, again if intel is correct. If its in the 20+ story range, it could go just about anywhere??

[The ATX]

Virgin has been publicly announcing that they want to build in Austin since at least 2014, so that adds credibility to the project. Branson rode a white horse at the Virgin Dallas hotel groundbreaking last year. Brits seem to like the cowboy stereotype.




Everyone seemed to get a Branson head-on-a-stick as well.


http://candysdirt.com/2016/10/19/sir...hite-stallion/

[The ATX]

I re-read the articles about the Travis County block (linked to in that thread), and current zoning on the site allows for a 2 million sq. ft. project. That's the site of any near term 70-story project. Cased closed - IMO.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by the Genral

OK, I found what I was looking for. When I was told the hotel would be tallish and unique, I was concerned because that was personal opinion. When I looked at the brand under construction or planned in other cities I saw a mixed bag. Then I wanted to check to see if this was already mentioned in a prior post, it was, by you, 4/5/16, Hotel M. post #24. So yes, I was told Virgin Hotel has one planned for Austin, previously on their wish list and its in the bidding phase. They are in NO, and Nashville, NY and Dallas either u/c or planned. From boxy to pretty cool. According to my source, "unique". Now its wait and see if this is accurate info. and if I can get the rendering he said he has...somewhere. It makes sense, they like touristy cities and offer a brand different than mainstream that Branson insist on. From what I understand, it wouldn't be his deep pockets that would finance this but investors interested in his brand. I'm concerned that this hasn't surfaced yet but perhaps they are about to once the bids are awarded, again if intel is correct. If its in the 20+ story range, it could go just about anywhere??

Ah cool, I love it. Especially since I actually DID know about it -- in a sense -- almost a year ago!

I remember thinking at the time that 1) yep, Virgin would be a natural fit here but that 2) generalized announcements of markets of interest do not a finished product make. Especially for a new brand like Virgin. Glad to hear that this one's jumped from intent to execution.

Now I'm very interested to know where they'd put it. I can't imagine it'd be anywhere but downtown . . . and as close to the action as possible. So I'd doubt up by the Capitol, and I'd doubt as far north as UT. That lot behind the IBC bank might actually work perfectly . . . . .

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by The ATX

I re-read the articles about the Travis County block (linked to in that thread), and current zoning on the site allows for a 2 million sq. ft. project. That's the site of any near term 70-story project. Cased closed - IMO.

I forget -- did the state choose a developer already?

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by We vs us

I forget -- did the state choose a developer already?

Not yet. I believe that they are due to make the proposals public fairly soon though.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by the Genral

**UPDATE**
Spent some time with my friend today loaded with questions. (Caution) I'm just a messenger. Grain 'O salt. First of all, he is a UH grad not UT. Oops, some people are sensitive about that. The "up to" 72 story highrise will be residential with perhaps a mixed use component. It is in the final design phase and will soon be open to bidding. I now know the hotel brand he was refering to but I'm going to hold off mentioning it for now. It may or may not have been mentioned here before, I want to research it further before I say more. My neck is sticking out far enough. He described the design as "very unique". It is currently in the bidding phase. He said he would try to get a rendering emailed to me. Can't wait to see it. I asked about the bidding phase, he said as with the 72 story project, once the design phase is complete, the bidding is on the materials needed to construct once determined and also for the labor and equipment used, as an example, there may be several companies bidding on the steel, glass and cement needed ect, then the construction companies, tower construction, electrical, plumbing, ect...Once all the bidding is awarded, then the projects will be announced, unlike other dipshits that prematurely announce projects before any of this is completed.
So now I find that my source also has connections with Flintco LLC who has several projects going on DT, including 70 Rainey. He called a buddy associated with that and even though to us it seems not enough is happening there, it is most definately moving forward. Regarding the Waller Creek fiasco, there is nothing going on there that anyone knows about, so we might as well consider it DRT (dead right there). He would not rule out that location for the Res Tower, but as he said, that's not up to him. HA! He does not know where its going.

For some perspective on the potential height of a 72 story residential building:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...tial_buildings

The 72 story towers listed there range from 827-1040 ft.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by We vs us

You make a good point -- that Merck's building(s) might be part of the Brackenridge redevelopment, not something apart or standalone. That said, this Merck announcement seems really major to me -- it's a massive commitment to in its own right, but also a demonstration of the potential of what's being done with Brackendridge/Dell. Good sign that there's going to be more like this as time goes on.

More on Merck (I don't think there's a separate thread for them yet).

A story

https://communityimpact.com/austin/n...l-come-austin/

And the city's public comments and documents on the proposal

http://austintexas.gov/page/city-aus...s-publications

[427MM]

Just posted this to ATX Urbanists Facebook Group. Dave Sullivan is a terrific guy and would be a great Council Member for Austin. No matter who we go with I hope that we can get a pro-housing candidate to succeed Kathie Tovo. Please chime in there if you have an opinion.

http://https://www.facebook.com/grou...91488868968559

Also, I'm going to start getting busy putting together more tours of fun buildings downtown. Stay tuned.

[427MM]

Well, that link isn't working--how about this: http://https://www.facebook.com/grou...nists/?fref=nf

And the comment is this one:

Austin's wise insistence on having term limits for Council Members has me crossing all my fingers and toes that we get Dave Sullivan to run for the soon to be open District 9 Seat in Nov. '18. I'm not sure that we've ever had a more well qualified candidate or one who speaks up for so many. #DavetheGrey

[urbancore]

ABJ Crane Watch

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/maps/crane-watch

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

ABJ Crane Watch

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/maps/crane-watch

Nice interface, no surprises.