AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 335

papertowelroll · #**6681** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

I mean, from a policy perspective it's kind of funny we punish developers for maximizing their rights by only taxing property value.

So WCC pays less on an empty lot harming the city than an apartment building would

Same with these people on East 12th..
http://specials.mystatesman.com/buying-up-the-block/

They buy up abandoned buildings and leave them to rot.

ATXboom · #**6682** Posted **Feb 4, 2020, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

I mean, from a policy perspective it's kind of funny we punish developers for maximizing their rights by only taxing property value.

So WCC pays less on an empty lot harming the city than an apartment building would

great example...

We vs us · #**6683** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 2:30 PM**

ABJ has some details. It's on a half block on 14th and Lavaca, just south of the new SXSW HQ. They're shooting for 12 stories, 192 keys, and 7k sq ft of restaurant/bar space and a rooftop deck.

It's still not branded, but the principals are in talks with Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and Ace Hotels. The article suggests that there's still a ways to go before this is a real thing.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...uxury-hotel-pitched-for-nearly-half.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

Nice find. No hint on brand or location.

enragedcamel · #**6684** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 2:35 PM**

Only 12th stories?

What a waste.

H2O · #**6685** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

Only 12th stories?

What a waste.

Going by the rendering (if it can be assumed to be accurate), there are 12 levels of rooms, plus common areas and parking, for a total of 19. Still pretty short for Downtown Austin these days.

We vs us · #**6686** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 2:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

Only 12th stories?

What a waste.

Agreed. Go big or go home.

Check out Ace Hotels. I love 'em already. It's a little like someone decided to bottle urban Austin culture. Total shoe-in for a SXSW-adjacent build.

https://www.acehotel.com/

The ATX · #**6687** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 3:12 PM**

I'm not convinced that this worthy of its own thread. But there are plans for a 12-story "luxury" hotel at the corner of 14th & Lavaca across from SXSW Center. Current zoning allows for a 165' building.

From the ABJ:

Quote:

Manohar said the ultimate goal is to develop a hotel at the site, and he’s already in conversations with Ace Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott. Taking the property to market will allow the developers to create equity that will allow them to finance the hotel project, he said.
Conceptual plans for call for a luxury, 12-story hotel with 192 rooms, 7,000 square feet and a rooftop bar, Manohar said.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...y-half.html?iana=hpmvp_aus_news_headline

Here's the site:

EDIT: I spent too much time on my post and didn't see the previous posts until after I posted.

We vs us · #**6688** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 3:20 PM**

You got a good Streetview screenshot out of the deal, so there's that.

The ATX · #**6689** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 3:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

You got a good Streetview screenshot out of the deal, so there's that.

That is one — ugly corner.

urbancore · #**6690** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

That is one — ugly corner.

there are sooo many of those in central austin....if you really LOOK for them....they are everywhere.

enragedcamel · #**6691** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 4:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

there are sooo many of those in central austin....if you really LOOK for them....they are everywhere.

What's crazy is how easy it is to actually improve the look-and-feel of those types of ugly lots.

There was an article (which I'm having trouble finding) about an initiative in the UK where neighborhoods plant flowers and such on empty, barren patches of soil in urban locations. There's several such patches in the streetview linked above. It would take an hour or two of work at most, and a couple of hundred bucks. And with native plants there would be zero maintenance need.

MichaelB · #**6692** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 9:36 PM**

FYI.... put on your calendars for all you people who like to snoop.!
Preservation Austin is changing it up a bit and doing a perspective on Historic properties in Downtown. List isn't out yet... but should be interesting.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 - 10AM to 4PM
“Downtown Doorsteps,” Preservation Austin’s 28th Annual Homes Tour, celebrates downtown Austin’s historic living spaces in all their forms!

By showcasing stunning historic homes updated for 21st century living, we engage an audience that thinks local and buys local while celebrating diverse neighborhoods and histories citywide."

KevinFromTexas · #**6693** Posted **Feb 6, 2020, 10:43 PM**

EDIT: Nevermind, I take that back. This hotel is planned for the northeast corner.

The ATX · #**6694** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 2:52 AM**

When I look at this, I unfortunately see nothing but a huge opportunity for value engineering.

wwmiv · #**6695** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 2:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

When I look at this, I unfortunately see nothing but a huge opportunity for value engineering.

How can you value engineer something that is already value engineered? This rendering is really nice, but the final materials will not look anywhere near as nice.

The ATX · #**6696** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 3:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

How can you value engineer something that is already value engineered? This rendering is really nice, but the final materials will not look anywhere near as nice.

I don't understand. Your second sentence seems to contradict your first sentence. I agree with your second sentence.

futures · #**6697** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 3:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Agreed. Go big or go home.

Check out Ace Hotels. I love 'em already. It's a little like someone decided to bottle urban Austin culture. Total shoe-in for a SXSW-adjacent build.

https://www.acehotel.com/

Pretty sure The Carpenter Hotel (which is cool as —) was developed by some people related to the Ace Hotel brand.

austlar1 · #**6698** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 4:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by futures

Pretty sure The Carpenter Hotel (which is cool as —) was developed by some people related to the Ace Hotel brand.

Some of the Trip Advisor reviews for The Carpenter Hotel are hilarious. It seems that the hotel, which is industrial chic and mostly concrete, is directly next door to Barking Hound Village, a dog boarding facility! Many reviews complain (the one and two star reviews) about the noise from endlessly barking dogs. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review...ws-The_Carpenter_Hotel-Austin_Texas.html

eskimo33 · #**6699** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 7:17 PM**

I have been meaning to post this for a bit. They have removed a lot of dirt from the hillside and have made good work on the columns.

An old street view image to compare against.
https://goo.gl/maps/4nsw3ZW6xKbhEFM3A

Sigaven · #**6700** Posted **Feb 7, 2020, 9:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

How can you value engineer something that is already value engineered?

Oh it's possible