AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 262

eguidry · #**5221** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 6:12 PM**

Gensler Austin just posted this to their instagram, I recognize Domain 11 but the others I'm not sure about. Anyone recognize the others?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlNyo0lBgZy/

Sigaven · #**5222** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 7:10 PM**

🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 Gensler Austin's towers are boring AF.

427MM · #**5223** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaven

🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 Gensler Austin's towers are boring AF.

How so? I tend to enjoy their work.

We vs us · #**5224** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

That's right. They want IAD to be the main airport for the metro area. They're extending the Metro to Dulles so in a few years it will be pretty to go downtown from out there.

Blech. I hate that trip in to town. Takes forever if there’s any traffic at all.

chinchaaa · #**5225** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 10:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Blech. I hate that trip in to town. Takes forever if there’s any traffic at all.

I guess it depends where you're going. I grew up in Northern Virginia so I always flew in and out of Dulles. However, I just spent a few days in DC and we took the Silver Line out as far as it goes and took a Lyft the last mile. It was worth to save some bucks I think. Once the line goes all the way out, it shouldn't be bad.

KevinFromTexas · #**5226** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 11:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427MM

Noticed while sitting on the Long Center lawn during the 4th of July show there is a pretty amazing view of Frost Tower reflected off of 5th and West. It is not a clear view of the crown but it is amazing nonetheless.

Yeah, I noticed that, too, while taking some photos from the Long Center garage. What's crazy is from the spot I was standing I couldn't even see the Frost Bank Tower, but it was pretty clearly reflected in 5th & West's facade. 5th & West does some interesting things on the skyline. At a certain time of day from the south, it reflects the sunlight and is really bright, like mirror bright. If you're ever around St. Ed's in the afternoon, go check it out. I have some photos of both of those views to post. I'll eventually get to it.

KevinFromTexas · #**5227** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 11:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eguidry

Gensler Austin just posted this to their instagram, I recognize Domain 11 but the others I'm not sure about. Anyone recognize the others?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlNyo0lBgZy/

I actually think these have some of the more interesting facades we've seen so far. I'd like to know more about the one on the left and right. Those are definitely something different from what we're used to. I don't think the one on the left has the texture of the facade printed on it, just the structure. The one on the right would look amazing with that pattern. Even the tall one (I don't know which it is) has some interesting facade treatment up the lefthand side.

The ATX · #**5228** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 11:09 PM**

If that tall one is a legit Austin project, two clues as to where it would be are the 3/4 block footprint and a probable CVC on 1/2 of the block.

The ATX · #**5229** Posted **Jul 14, 2018, 11:32 PM**

No point guessing. That's the 4th & Red River/Block 35 Tower.

The ATX · #**5230** Posted **Jul 15, 2018, 12:02 AM**

One of the two demo permits for 1202 & 1204 San Antonio St. was approved this week.

The permits:
https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/p...n=11976420&t_selected_propertyrsn=167456
https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/p...n=11976435&t_selected_propertyrsn=165202

The site from Streetview:

The ATX · #**5231** Posted **Jul 15, 2018, 12:07 AM**

I should probably mention what's replacing those two buildings. It's a four-story office building for the Texas Association of Counties.

Site Plan: https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/p...n=11901725&t_selected_propertyrsn=165202

KevinFromTexas · #**5232** Posted **Jul 15, 2018, 2:37 AM**

Ugh. They built a tiny 8-story building nearby in 2003. It's too bad they weren't planning ahead a little more. Maybe in another 15 years or so they'll build a 2-story building.

MichaelB · #**5233** Posted **Jul 15, 2018, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

I should probably mention what's replacing those two buildings. It's a four-story office building for the Texas Association of Counties.

Site Plan: https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/p...n=11901725&t_selected_propertyrsn=165202

Gotta say that's just not good for this area. It's suburban thinking. This area is prime for a great mix of office, housing, restaurants. It is the only frontier for downtown. Wish more thinking or planning .... or forcing people to do so was going into this.

paul78701 · #**5234** Posted **Jul 15, 2018, 5:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Gotta say that's just not good for this area. It's suburban thinking. This area is prime for a great mix of office, housing, restaurants. It is the only frontier for downtown. Wish more thinking or planning .... or forcing people to do so was going into this.

I believe CodeNext may help with this. I think it "up-zones" most of this area for CBD like development. (I could be wrong, if someone wants to look it up.)

427MM · #**5235** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 12:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

I believe CodeNext may help with this. I think it "up-zones" most of this area for CBD like development. (I could be wrong, if someone wants to look it up.)

Sadly, staff doesn't touch UNO in CodeNEXT--it remains F-25 (the designation staff has given things that they don't have the gumption to better at this time). Planning Commission took the leadership to make two amendments: to eliminate parking requirements (WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING! Students want to wake up and cross the street--don't require parking here); and, revisit UNO and see about increasing height limits and expanding the boundaries.

The primary opposition comes from nearby wealthy single family home owners--this is where you act surprised

District 9 needs representation on Council that cares about urbanity, walkability, affordability and fiscal health--until we get this I doubt we'll see much in the way of progress in bettering UNO.

427MM · #**5236** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 12:03 AM**

D'oh! Really thought I was replying to an UNO thread above ^^. Seeing what I want to see? Maybe

The ATX · #**5237** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 12:10 AM**

One of many disappointing things about CodeNext was they didn't upzone West Campus.

427MM · #**5238** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 12:22 AM**

True. Let's just keep in mind how terrible our current land development code is and keep the fight for CN going! Despite the watering down of staff's drafts from V1 to V3 it's still much better than the 1984 hunk of junk we have today. Oh, and let's start electing folks who fight for housing instead of against it...

The ATX · #**5239** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Gotta say that's just not good for this area. It's suburban thinking. This area is prime for a great mix of office, housing, restaurants. It is the only frontier for downtown. Wish more thinking or planning .... or forcing people to do so was going into this.

Absolutely.

But our current city leaders are not forward thinkers like former mayor Will Wynn. They only care about getting re-elected. I don't think the West Campus and Rainey St. District up zoning would happen today. The Seaholm and Greenwater project would also probably not happen in it's current form as well - unless it was a three story affordable housing project.

Syndic · #**5240** Posted **Jul 16, 2018, 4:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

No point guessing. That's the 4th & Red River/Block 35 Tower.

Damn, that would be crazy. Great spot for a tower! Would make The Fairmont and, most importantly, the Hilton stand out less. Right along Waller Creek. I'm guessing the side portion would interact with the creek in some way. Restaurant or something. Right by the convention center. Would be a popular spot.