AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 387

drummer · #**7721** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dariusb

At the rate the city is building more vertically, it'll become the densest city in the state.

It definitely seems to be heading in that direction.

We vs us · #**7722** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 5:52 PM**

Here's a fun little timelapse on the Downtown Austin Alliance site. Shows all the stuff we should expect to see built in the next decade (that we know of).

https://downtownaustin.com/authoriza...where-we-serve

EDIT: somewhat predictably, we know about a lot of other planned projects that didn't make it into this timelapse.

drummer · #**7723** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 7:21 PM**

That's pretty cool to see like that. Again, still begging to have some CVCs removed that will be pointless if/when I-35 hopefully/inevitably/just-may-happen-but-we'll-see get the cap and stitch solution.

chinchaaa · #**7724** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 8:08 PM**

Still nothing on the Post Office block! I really hope we get something absolutely amazing there.

We vs us · #**7725** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 8:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Still nothing on the Post Office block! I really hope we get something absolutely amazing there.

It defies logic, honestly. We're getting 600+ ft buildings announced on the reg, and still nothing but total silence about that block. Not even a hint.

migol24 · #**7726** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 8:53 PM**

I've been staying in Brooklyn for the whole month. This is the view from my room overlooking downtown Brooklyn. This is the kind of tower I would like to see in Austin as a signature tower, especially on that post office block.

If you scroll down on this page, you'll get a good rendering of it.

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...212048&page=10

Edit:

Oh right, I forgot. I can't post photos from Instagram on this page for whatever reason. Anyways, here's the link to my Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXmQjYlF...dium=copy_link

the Genral · #**7727** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 10:43 PM**

Good Lord Brooklyn has changed so much since I've been there back in the 70s and 80s. Burnt out buildings block after block except where the Mafia reigned. I'd loved to go back and visit but I'm pretty sure everyone I knew there are gone.

myBrain · #**7728** Posted **Dec 18, 2021, 4:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

I've been staying in Brooklyn for the whole month. This is the view from my room overlooking downtown Brooklyn. This is the kind of tower I would like to see in Austin as a signature tower, especially on that post office block.

If you scroll down on this page, you'll get a good rendering of it.

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...212048&page=10

Edit:

Oh right, I forgot. I can't post photos from Instagram on this page for whatever reason. Anyways, here's the link to my Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXmQjYlF...dium=copy_link

Yeah, that's my favorite building going up in the world right now. The facade materials are incredible. I want to see some copper in our skyline.

Architect is SHoP, who also did 111 w57th - one of my other favorite buildings in recent years. I'd love for them to score a contract down here.

Also, last time I was in NY I stayed in DT Brooklyn, and there was an Alamo in the complex we were staying in, a Whole Foods down the street, and in the first bar we went into they were having a special on Austin Eastciders. We were like, "we just came to the Austin of New York!"

gillynova · #**7729** Posted **Dec 18, 2021, 5:12 AM**

Waterfront Project:

SproutingTowers · #**7730** Posted **Dec 18, 2021, 5:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Still nothing on the Post Office block! I really hope we get something absolutely amazing there.

Does the federal government still own this parcel? And what about the site the State of Texas decided to sell across Hotel ZaZa?

migol24 · #**7731** Posted **Dec 18, 2021, 7:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by myBrain

Yeah, that's my favorite building going up in the world right now. The facade materials are incredible. I want to see some copper in our skyline.

Architect is SHoP, who also did 111 w57th - one of my other favorite buildings in recent years. I'd love for them to score a contract down here.

Also, last time I was in NY I stayed in DT Brooklyn, and there was an Alamo in the complex we were staying in, a Whole Foods down the street, and in the first bar we went into they were having a special on Austin Eastciders. We were like, "we just came to the Austin of New York!"

Yeah, I went to that Alamo to watch House of Gucci. And they seem to really sell those Austin Eastciders at just about every bar I've been to here in NYC. There's also a Brooklyn Kolache just down the street from me. Most people don't seem to realize that here but Kolaches are mostly a Texas thing. And they have one here and also one in SoHo. That one tripped me out the most. Owner is from Texas, apparently.

Back to the tower. I just don't see any tower of that caliber ever going up in Austin. Not in this skyscraper boom at least. And if that lot on 3rd and Congress gets developed by those Hudson Yard people, the tower might turn into something nice but nothing compared to that one in Brooklyn. It is a beauty. Too bad I can't share my photo.

Samwill89 · #**7732** Posted **Dec 18, 2021, 10:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillynova

Waterfront Project:

Welcome to ATX gillynova! I always enjoyed your contributions to the various Bay Area threads and look forward to what you show of Austin!

davidberko · #**7733** Posted **Dec 19, 2021, 1:09 AM**

Yes, thanks gillynova!

gillynova · #**7734** Posted **Dec 19, 2021, 7:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samwill89

Welcome to ATX gillynova! I always enjoyed your contributions to the various Bay Area threads and look forward to what you show of Austin!

Glad you've been following me in the Bay Area threads and now here! I absolutely love seeing everything in person and I'm looking forward to the progress

the Genral · #**7735** Posted **Dec 19, 2021, 6:26 PM**

Love your contributions! Are you living here now? If you are, soooo proud to have you!!

gillynova · #**7736** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 3:52 AM**

Thanks Genral! I signed a lease awhile ago for a brand new apartment but there's been delays in its opening (should've been here in August). They're giving me free housing for now and crossing my fingers it will be in January. I'll be flying back to the Bay on Friday and return when its fully done. But yeah, I absolutely LOVE walking around downtown and I'm SO EXCITED to be a part of everything and updating the threads VERY often!

dilliam · #**7737** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 4:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillynova

Thanks Genral! I signed a lease awhile ago for a brand new apartment but there's been delays in its opening (should've been here in August). They're giving me free housing for now and crossing my fingers it will be in January. I'll be flying back to the Bay on Friday and return when its fully done. But yeah, I absolutely LOVE walking around downtown and I'm SO EXCITED to be a part of everything and updating the threads VERY often!

Nice! Hopefully it gets done soon! I'm moving back to Austin at the beginning of February after spending 5 years in NYC. We'll have to meet up for a beer!

Urbannizer · #**7738** Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 4:40 AM**

Mixed-use options considered for future of police HQ site downtown

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...site-downtown/

Quote:

Planners see a variety of possibilities for the eventual redevelopment of the Austin Police Department headquarters site downtown, with office space, affordable housing, retail, an event space and recording studio among the possible uses.

Those were some of the ideas discussed during a recent competition organized by Urban Land Institute Austin, which organizes local development and real estate professionals around issues of local interest. As part of ULI’s annual Battle of the Plans contest, two teams of young professionals created proposals for how to reuse the site at Eighth Street and Interstate 35 that has served as the base of police operations since 1982.

Currently the city is considering its options for how and where to eventually relocate APD headquarters, which will eventually allow for redevelopment of the 2.7-acre site that is located among some of the most desirable commercial and cultural districts in the city. Earlier this year, the Downtown Commission received an update from the city’s Office of Real Estate Services about the progress on determining the size and possible location options for the new headquarters.

drummer · #**7739** Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 2:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Mixed-use options considered for future of police HQ site downtown

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...site-downtown/

It'll be interesting to see where APD eventually ends up. The current HQ is a good location for redevelopment, though.

mtb_jeremy · #**7740** Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummer

It'll be interesting to see where APD eventually ends up. The current HQ is a good location for redevelopment, though.

Would be nice if they could dedicate a portion of the redevelopment back to the previous use of that spot, a farmers market.

https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/c...hed-austin-tx/

"The City of Austin built a farmers’ market in downtown Austin partially funded by a Public Works Administration (PWA) grant. A bond issue for the market was approved on May 18, 1928, but other city priorities and then the deteriorating financial situation in the country from the Great Depression prevented moving forward with the project. The city submitted an application for a grant of 30% of the cost of the market, and the PWA returned with a grant not to exceed $11,800 in October 1934. The city let a contract the same month for $48,000 to W.J. Schwarzer of Austin to construct the Page Brothers designed market building. The City Market House opened on June 6, 1935.

As large chain supermarkets began to dominate the market in the United States, their produce departments became a competitive alternative to the farmers’ market that consumers found more to their liking. The farmers began switching to growing their acreage in a single type of crop and selling in bulk directly to the buyers for the supermarkets. This led to the city operating a facility that was no longer in demand by farmers or consumers. The city closed the market on February 15, 1952. The building was eventually demolished to make way for Interstate Highway 35 through downtown Austin."