Amazon HQ2

[freerover]

Originally Posted by We vs us

That's why I thought it was interesting. While I feel like we (on this forum) have mostly jettisoned the idea of DT as a viable choice for Amazon, a guy who would obviously be in the know is hinting at something else entirely.

It's possible a deal could be for their current Austin office as it expands but I can't remember what kind of deal they have at the domain. They currently have 250k square feet.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by freerover

It's possible a deal could be for their current Austin office as it expands but I can't remember what kind of deal they have at the domain. They currently have 250k square feet.

They've vying for one of the new Domain towers -- can't remember which. It's an additional 310k sq ft. That dude's twitter account actually teases a leasing war up there between Amazon and WeWork, which has swooped in to try and steal some of the sq footage.

One of the reasons I'd bookmarked that first tweet thread was that he'd replied (but obv since deleted) that Endeavor owned the post office lot but it was off the market this cycle as they were just sitting making parking $. He also mentioned 300 San Antonio, which is the courthouse parking garage as part of what could be potentially packaged for Amazon.

I'm sad that reply went away because it was a good summary of what're probably the only options for Amazon DT.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by We vs us

That's why I thought it was interesting. While I feel like we (on this forum) have mostly jettisoned the idea of DT as a viable choice for Amazon, a guy who would obviously be in the know is hinting at something else entirely.

He just said that Amazon is a potential deal in the Austin market. To me, it sounds like he's just spit-balling. It's plausible that Amazon is in talks about this, but I don't read this as him knowing anything in particular with regard to Amazon.

That said. I'm guessing that 600 Guadalupe and the post office site combined could potentially hold 2-3+ million square feet of office space. That's a pretty good start to the eventual 8 million that they eventually want to get to. They've already said that the campus doesn't need to be in contiguous buildings. Sooo...who knows...

I know it's not the same as a complete train system, but this would be right next to what has become the primary bus stops in the north-south spine of the Cap Metro system. It's a just a shame that they didn't run the red rail line all the way to Republic Square. I continue to think that they really should consider that.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by paul78701

He just said that Amazon is a potential deal in the Austin market. To me, it sounds like he's just spit-balling. It's plausible that Amazon is in talks about this, but I don't read this as him knowing anything in particular with regard to Amazon.

I don't disagree with you . . . I'm not suggesting that he has secret knowledge, but I'm glad to see at least one professional opining on a viable DT HQ2 option.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by paul78701

He just said that Amazon is a potential deal in the Austin market. To me, it sounds like he's just spit-balling. It's plausible that Amazon is in talks about this, but I don't read this as him knowing anything in particular with regard to Amazon.

That said. I'm guessing that 600 Guadalupe and the post office site combined could potentially hold 2-3+ million square feet of office space. That's a pretty good start to the eventual 8 million that they eventually want to get to. They've already said that the campus doesn't need to be in contiguous buildings. Sooo...who knows...

That's true. I just don't know where else you get that space from. How many lots are left that can be high-rises? There is the last lot from the old water plant across from the library. Isn't there already a deal for the courthouse plot for a mixed use building? I wouldn't be disappointed if that was there plan but it sure better come with billions to help pay for a rail system and it looks like rail in this town needs to be elevated. People don't want to put rail down corridors with extra lanes and ROW like Airport and they don't want to lose car lanes down guad/lamar.

Originally Posted by paul78701

I know it's not the same as a complete train system, but this would be right next to what has become the primary bus stops in the north-south spine of the Cap Metro system. It's a just a shame that they didn't run the red rail line all the way to Republic Square. I continue to think that they really should consider that.

It would be nice for the Red Line to keep going but I'm not sure what kind of concerns there are since it's a diesel meant for hard rail and not electric. I'm not sure if electric trains are better for street use where you have a lot of mixed traffic. Also, the red line has such a wonky route anyway that comes from the west that I don't know how many people would be transferring. I think it has more value if they ever build the Green Line and if they use the same rail corridor to get to the airport instead of a light rail train down riverside.

Originally Posted by paul78701

That said. I'm guessing that 600 Guadalupe and the post office site combined could potentially hold 2-3+ million square feet of office space. That's a pretty good start to the eventual 8 million that they eventually want to get to. They've already said that the campus doesn't need to be in contiguous buildings.

How do you think it could get up to 3 million sq feet?

Originally Posted by We vs us

They've vying for one of the new Domain towers -- can't remember which. It's an additional 310k sq ft. That dude's twitter account actually teases a leasing war up there between Amazon and WeWork, which has swooped in to try and steal some of the sq footage.

Hmmm. Well, Amazon investing in the domain could be good for Austin because it could help cement it as a realistic 2nd downtown for Austin which could help with traffic and office space shortages. It even gives you some mass transit options that might cost less per mile than in the city core. However, Google just moved downtown and facebook is there as well. Is the Amazon warehouse in the domain as well? Or is it just off burnet? All of my stuff from Prime Now comes from that area.

[deerhoof]

That Justin guy looks familiar. Oh wait, that's me!

Jeff is a great follow on twitter. He seems to be in the know due to his line of work and has been willing to share what he knows publicly, which is cool. I hope he continues because it's interesting stuff.

Originally Posted by We vs us

This guy's a great follow on Twitter. Lots of good little nugs about DT and Domain development.




PS. sorry for the size of the pics -- still working with my new imgur acct.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by We vs us

They've vying for one of the new Domain towers -- can't remember which. It's an additional 310k sq ft. That dude's twitter account actually teases a leasing war up there between Amazon and WeWork, which has swooped in to try and steal some of the sq footage.

One of the reasons I'd bookmarked that first tweet thread was that he'd replied (but obv since deleted) that Endeavor owned the post office lot but it was off the market this cycle as they were just sitting making parking $. He also mentioned 300 San Antonio, which is the courthouse parking garage as part of what could be potentially packaged for Amazon.

I'm sad that reply went away because it was a good summary of what're probably the only options for Amazon DT.

Interesting about 300 San Antonio, what is possible for that site? Any CVC's? the district cooling tower there would need to be relocated.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by freerover

That's true. I just don't know where else you get that space from. How many lots are left that can be high-rises? There is the last lot from the old water plant across from the library. Isn't there already a deal for the courthouse plot for a mixed use building? I wouldn't be disappointed if that was there plan but it sure better come with billions to help pay for a rail system and it looks like rail in this town needs to be elevated. People don't want to put rail down corridors with extra lanes and ROW like Airport and they don't want to lose car lanes down guad/lamar.

I'm not the first to bring this idea up here. There's a fair amount of underdeveloped lots/buildings around there that one could throw money at. More than people realize. Purchasing/assembling them is where the real challenge lies.

A quick, off the top of my head list: The northern half block west of the Seven apartments, SE corner of 6th and Nueces, those damn drive through banks to the west of 5th and Nueces intersection, Compass Bank drive through at SE corner of 6th and Guadalupe, SW corner of 5th and Lavaca has been empty forever, the county courthouse site, and more. All of those sites are pretty close together and waiting to be redeveloped. Most of them have no CVC encumbrances.

Originally Posted by freerover

It would be nice for the Red Line to keep going but I'm not sure what kind of concerns there are since it's a diesel meant for hard rail and not electric. I'm not sure if electric trains are better for street use where you have a lot of mixed traffic. Also, the red line has such a wonky route anyway that comes from the west that I don't know how many people would be transferring. I think it has more value if they ever build the Green Line and if they use the same rail corridor to get to the airport instead of a light rail train down riverside.

I don't know anything about the limitations of the diesel trains. But ultimately, you have to limit transfers as much as possible in order for public transportation to be palatable to the masses. I would think that any diesel specific issues could be engineered around. They are already going to block all of 4th St when they build the new downtown station at the convention center. They might as well make 4th a pedestrian/bike/transit plaza all the way to Republic Square and tie it into those primary bus stops.

Originally Posted by freerover

How do you think it could get up to 3 million sq feet?

As I was saying...just guessing. I have no real info to back it up with. With the post office site being an entire block not in a CVC, it would be possible to put a giant building there.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by Sigaven

Interesting about 300 San Antonio, what is possible for that site? Any CVC's? the district cooling tower there would need to be relocated.

It is the state parking garage. It is used by many of the employees that work in the Hobby Building. It is not in a CVC.

I once heard an unsubstantiated rumor that it would be ready for redevelopment around 2020. I have no idea how much credence can be given to that rumor though.

[leonashbrook]

https://www.512tech.com/technology/new-r...s-for-amazon-hq2/bkW4Z3eJ4EAVzBP7iPfkEO/

This is somewhat disheartening. Interesting omission.

[lzppjb]

Paul is on the track I was on. There's potential around Republic Square if enough money is spent.

600 Guadalupe
Block 71
State Garage
County Courthouse ex-site
Hobby Building
Block west of the Federal Courthouse
Half Block north of IBC Bank
Plus all the other lots Paul mentioned with the banks on them.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

Paul is on the track I was on. There's potential around Republic Square if enough money is spent.

600 Guadalupe
Block 71
State Garage
County Courthouse ex-site
Hobby Building
Block west of the Federal Courthouse
Half Block north of IBC Bank
Plus all the other lots Paul mentioned with the banks on them.

Ugh yes please. Remove the Hobby Building. It's hideous. I would loveeeee an Amazon campus that spans three city blocks (State Garage, Block 71 and Hobby Building). And possibly take the old post office block? That's 4 city blocks that could house ~4million sq. ft. or more depending on how brave they get with height.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by leonashbrook

https://www.512tech.com/technology/new-r...s-for-amazon-hq2/bkW4Z3eJ4EAVzBP7iPfkEO/

This is somewhat disheartening. Interesting omission.

Old article, already discussed. The REIS "study" is garbage.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Old article, already discussed. The REIS "study" is garbage.

Yeah. They also left out Atlanta.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by leonashbrook

https://www.512tech.com/technology/new-r...s-for-amazon-hq2/bkW4Z3eJ4EAVzBP7iPfkEO/

This is somewhat disheartening. Interesting omission.

i can't take that list seriously.

they included Seattle for Pete's sake.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by leonashbrook

https://www.512tech.com/technology/new-r...s-for-amazon-hq2/bkW4Z3eJ4EAVzBP7iPfkEO/

This is somewhat disheartening. Interesting omission.

They lost me at Rochester and Suburban Virginia being in their top 10.

[mumu]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

i can't take that list seriously.

they included Seattle for Pete's sake.

New Orleans, too. A place that could go under water at any time!

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by the Genral

They lost me at Rochester and Suburban Virginia being in their top 10.

Suburban Virginia is a real contender though. Northern Virginia is a huge tech center. AWS is there, along with tons of tech companies, government agencies, etc. not to mention more people and more money than the Austin metro area.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by mumu

New Orleans, too. A place that could go under water at any time!

Amazon is a business that relies on keeping things cheap.

Why would you place 50k people in the most expensive cities in America? The cost of building 8M sqft of space, then hiring all those people with salaries commanded in NYC (and all those other expensive ass cities) will knock those cities out asap.

Amazon already has their Flagship city, we will be their cost alternative and in turn they can basically make a HUGE difference in what Austin becomes in the next 50 years. Austin could be Bezos' legacy, even more than Amazon.

I'm just sayin, we are the obvious choice.

[papertowelroll]

Were Amazon to choose Austin for HQ2, I think it might be wise for them to consider splitting things up amongst multiple sites. Short of some kind of technological revolution I can't see Austin transportation getting to the point where you can have a single location that is accessible to the majority of the city's tech talent.

I know HomeAway is actually moving away from that model for whatever reason, so maybe there are logistical issues I don't realize.