AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[drummer]

Haha, it would be a very Austin thing to do, also....

[KevinFromTexas]

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/new-condos-at-old-hope-graffiti-park-to-cost-3-6m-apiece/
New condos at old HOPE graffiti park to cost $3.6M apiece
Units expected to be ready by winter 2022; Art park has new location near airport

by: Parimal M. Rohit, Austin Business Journal
Posted: May 12, 2021 / 11:24 AM CDT / Updated: May 12, 2021 / 11:24 AM CDT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Plans to build 10 luxury condominiums at the former home of HOPE Outdoor Gallery are moving forward, as the project’s developer broke ground April 8 on The Colorfield at 1012 Baylor St.

Cumby Group said the condo project’s name and design are meant to invoke the former outdoor art gallery and graffiti park. The Colorfield will also have a permanent mural wall. The entry-level asking price for units is $3.6 million.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2021/05/11/dirt-has-moved-at-former-graffiti-art-site.html

[JollyvilleJ-Rad]

Originally Posted by drummer

Haha, it would be a very Austin thing to do, also....

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/new-condos-at-old-hope-graffiti-park-to-cost-3-6m-apiece/
New condos at old HOPE graffiti park to cost $3.6M apiece
Units expected to be ready by winter 2022; Art park has new location near airport

Cumby Group said the condo project’s name and design are meant to invoke the former outdoor art gallery and graffiti park. The Colorfield will also have a permanent mural wall. The entry-level asking price for units is $3.6 million.

Now that sounds like a very current-Austin thing... $3.6 million entry... maybe some of the former graffiti artists will be taking residence. And maybe they'll throw a salamander-gargoyle on that "mural wall" ha

[H2O]

According to the Towers article, the units are super expensive because they are huge. There are only ten units in the building because the neighborhood association wanted to limit traffic. That is the kind of NIMBYism that is ruining this city! We need lots of small, affordable units STAT! If you can't build to any kind of density on the very edge of Downtown because of traffic concerns, where can you?

[atxsnail]

Originally Posted by H2O

According to the Towers article, the units are super expensive because they are huge. There are only ten units in the building because the neighborhood association wanted to limit traffic. That is the kind of NIMBYism that is ruining this city! We need lots of small, affordable units STAT! If you can't build to any kind of density on the very edge of Downtown because of traffic concerns, where can you?

I like Towers and I'm a big fan of James' work. I wish he had put his usual snark into pushing back against the developer (and by association, the neighborhood group) quote about creating "larger, family friendly homes". Nothing screams "family friendly" like 5k sq ft costing way more than $3.6M!

In fairness, nothing short of a gigantic high rise there would have units affordable to the average person. But that was an absurd quote.

[corvairkeith]

No matter how many units they put there it would never have as much traffic as the graffiti park. I think the neighborhood association was afraid of losing their downtown views.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

No matter how many units they put there it would never have as much traffic as the graffiti park. I think the neighborhood association was afraid of losing their downtown views.

Yep.

[We vs us]

Incumbency is the most powerful force in the US cities, IMO.

EDIT: fixed it.

[RichG]

They want people to share the taxes without the traffic. Hmmmm. I'm going to start the chant in the sushi aisle of Trader Joe's and see if this things got legs. On-ly O-li-garchs! On-ly O-li-garchs!

ITS OOIMBY Damnit.

[KevinFromTexas]

The former Sellers Underground Club in the warehouse district sold. It's at 213 West 4th Street.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...ate-roundup-sellers-underground-bar.html

[H2O]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The former Sellers Underground Club in the warehouse district sold. It's at 213 West 4th Street.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...ate-roundup-sellers-underground-bar.html

Probably too small to redevelop on its own, unless this is the first in a series of assemblages. The Warehouse District may still be safe for now.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The former Sellers Underground Club in the warehouse district sold. It's at 213 West 4th Street.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...ate-roundup-sellers-underground-bar.html

I really hope the city protects these buildings. Our downtown will have zero character if we destroy everything.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The former Sellers Underground Club in the warehouse district sold. It's at 213 West 4th Street.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...ate-roundup-sellers-underground-bar.html

I totally forgot about that place since the pandemic lol. As someone who frequents the gay bars, Sellers and the bars before it in space it occupied have always struggled. It's just not a very good place for a bar (no patio, bad layout).

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by H2O

Probably too small to redevelop on its own, unless this is the first in a series of assemblages. The Warehouse District may still be safe for now.

Wasn't there reporting a few years back on an assemblage on the other side of the street? They either did a CVC analysis or a heritage tree survey or similar? I'm forgetting which, but remember it was centered on Cedar Street, but . . . can't remember if it included either Trulucks or Halcyon.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by We vs us

Wasn't there reporting a few years back on an assemblage on the other side of the street? They either did a CVC analysis or a heritage tree survey or similar? I'm forgetting which, but remember it was centered on Cedar Street, but . . . can't remember if it included either Trulucks or Halcyon.

Not exactly. The confusion came due to the tree survey paperwork (or whatever) apparently having the wrong address on it.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by Sigaven

I totally forgot about that place since the pandemic lol. As someone who frequents the gay bars, Sellers and the bars before it in space it occupied have always struggled. It's just not a very good place for a bar (no patio, bad layout).

For what it's worth, prior to the pandemic, Sellers seemed to be fairly busy whenever I walked by it. It may have been doing well, but just couldn't survive the pandemic.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Not exactly. The confusion came due to the tree survey paperwork (or whatever) apparently having the wrong address on it.

Ah, interesting. Must have missed the paperwork prob.

[sjk]

I agree that I hope this building is saved. It's a great location being situated between Rain and Oilcan Harry's in terms of foot traffic, but it needs something more to stand out. I feel like if they were to change it up to a niche like a gay country bar or just something unique in Austin, it would have a much better chance of success. It may be trying too hard to be like its neighbors but without the space and patio to do so. Either way, I hope it is preserved and is something that can enhance Austin's gay district.

[kingkirbythe....]

It’s Not Looking Good for the Hotel Atop a Historic Building at 15th and Lavaca

https://austin.towers.net/its-not-lookin...-a-historic-building-at-15th-and-lavaca/

The recent purchase of a historic building at the southeast corner of West 15th and Lavaca Streets in downtown Austin by the State Bar of Texas likely indicates the demise of a previously planned hotel tower project at this location

[myBrain]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

It’s Not Looking Good for the Hotel Atop a Historic Building at 15th and Lavaca

https://austin.towers.net/its-not-lookin...-a-historic-building-at-15th-and-lavaca/

The recent purchase of a historic building at the southeast corner of West 15th and Lavaca Streets in downtown Austin by the State Bar of Texas likely indicates the demise of a previously planned hotel tower project at this location

When I read the headline, I was hoping it was because they planned on building something there themselves. The hotel wasn't spectacular but it was a better use for that lot... turns out they're just NIMBYs who will likely keep as-is....

From the article:

"The State Bar of Texas, which currently operates out of the office directly next door to the east at 1414 Colorado Street, purchased the property last month for a reported $3.25 million, thanks to funds from its reserves authorized for use by the Supreme Court of Texas earlier this year, with plans to occupy the building as overflow office and meeting space — but the organization’s motive might also involve its stated opposition to the project as a design they didn’t want to see going up next door:

Trey Apffel, executive director of the State Bar of Texas, spoke out against the tower project at the Feb. 24 meeting. The organization’s headquarters is next door to the historic building on Lavaca Street.

“As the next door neighbor to this property, we have a sincere interest in maintaining the historical integrity of the building,” he said. “We do not feel like a 12-story hotel built on top of that building does that or accomplishes that objective.”

Apffel said the State Bar did attempt to buy the building, but its offer wasn’t accepted.

— Austin Business Journal, Feb. 26, 2020"