AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 401

The ATX · #**8001** Posted **Mar 1, 2022, 8:44 PM**

The HLC approved Demo of Venue Lofts on consent. A vote on Demo of the Iron Bear building was postponed until the March meeting.

Urbannizer · #**8002** Posted **Mar 2, 2022, 3:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Future of El Mercado Uptown uncertain following approval of demolition permit

El Mercado Downtown to close mid-March

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/aust...a-st-location/

JACKinBeantown · #**8003** Posted **Mar 2, 2022, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echostatic

I don't know if this rendering is new or not but it's new to me.

It looks like it's leaking.

ahealy · #**8004** Posted **Mar 2, 2022, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echostatic

I don't know if this rendering is new or not but it's new to me.

I am obsessed with this project and want more high-concept / mixed-use / hill country development....with sustainability at the forefront. I wonder if we'll ever see a 30 floor tower somewhere out there someday.

Also, I think what Michael might be saying is that his neighborhood's smaller-older-grittier (maybe historic) structures are going fast for the bulldozer. While I don't fully agree with the sentiment, I hope whatever replaces it isn't a blue box....and if it is make it pretty!

atxsnail · #**8005** Posted **Mar 2, 2022, 10:08 PM**

Someone wants to build an indoor ski facility somewhere in Austin. Targeting 2025:

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...in-dallas.html

The ATX · #**8006** Posted **Mar 2, 2022, 10:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atxsnail

Someone wants to build an indoor ski facility somewhere in Austin. Targeting 2025:

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...in-dallas.html

It should have a retractable roof so it could be opened for that annual cold period we started having for a few days in February.

We vs us · #**8007** Posted **Mar 8, 2022, 7:24 PM**

Seen on my lunch walk -- an alcohol permit notice in the window of the former 2nd Bar and Kitchen, in the Austonion, on the corner of 2nd and Congress. Name of applicant: Fogo De Chao, A Brazilian Churrascaria.

It's a pretty impressive space for a chain . . . but made me wonder if there was something pushing them out of their lease near the CC (owned by World Class Capital, ahem). Or if they were just in search of greener pastures.

urbancore · #**8008** Posted **Mar 8, 2022, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Seen on my lunch walk -- an alcohol permit notice in the window of the former 2nd Bar and Kitchen, in the Austonion, on the corner of 2nd and Congress. Name of applicant: Fogo De Chao, A Brazilian Churrascaria.

It's a pretty impressive space for a chain . . . but made me wonder if there was something pushing them out of their lease near the CC (owned by World Class Capital, ahem). Or if they were just in search of greener pastures.

What a downgrade as far as restaurants go.

We vs us · #**8009** Posted **Mar 8, 2022, 10:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

What a downgrade as far as restaurants go.

100%. A total disappointment, TBH.

paul78701 · #**8010** Posted **Mar 9, 2022, 1:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Seen on my lunch walk -- an alcohol permit notice in the window of the former 2nd Bar and Kitchen, in the Austonion, on the corner of 2nd and Congress. Name of applicant: Fogo De Chao, A Brazilian Churrascaria.

It's a pretty impressive space for a chain . . . but made me wonder if there was something pushing them out of their lease near the CC (owned by World Class Capital, ahem). Or if they were just in search of greener pastures.

Convention centers seem like magnets for chain restaurants. I would guess that the move is non voluntary. Also, that's one of the only lots just west of the convention center that doesn't have an announced project. I'd bet we'll be hearing about a building proposal there soon enough.

H2O · #**8011** Posted **Mar 9, 2022, 12:27 PM**

Fago is better than it remaining empty. It has been far too long already.

MichaelB · #**8012** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 12:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

What a downgrade as far as restaurants go.

zrx299 · #**8013** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 4:21 PM**

Chains and high end places are the only ones able to afford the leases these days

mtb_jeremy · #**8014** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 4:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrx299

Chains and high end places are the only ones able to afford the leases these days

I figure that will be more and more the case over time. Less new local places will be in downtown than in the past. People staying in hotels downtown will often take what is convenient for meals over other choices.

dilliam · #**8015** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 5:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrx299

Chains and high end places are the only ones able to afford the leases these days

NYC has some of the highest commercial rent in the country, yet chains make up a tiny fraction of the businesses in the city. Most are not "high end" places either.

migol24 · #**8016** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 5:24 PM**

Probably more to do with the fact that it's new York. There's more people. More foot traffic. Kinda not fair to compare any other city besides Chicago, or maybe San Francisco. Austin won't be in that level until at least once the rail gets done. Local businesses rarely survive on Congress up towards the capital despite the foot traffic.

austin242 · #**8017** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 6:39 PM**

Portland seems to manage to have everything. However Portland has a buck ton more retail and rail.

ahealy · #**8018** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

Portland seems to manage to have everything. However Portland has a buck ton more retail and rail.

Everything but enough money to pay me to live there.

GoldenBoot · #**8019** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 6:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

Probably more to do with the fact that it's new York. There's more people. More foot traffic. Kinda not fair to compare any other city besides Chicago, or maybe San Francisco. Austin won't be in that level until at least once the rail gets done. Local businesses rarely survive on Congress up towards the capital despite the foot traffic.

Retail rent in SoCo District rivals that of Manhattan...

migol24 · #**8020** Posted **Mar 10, 2022, 7:28 PM**

That's about the only part of Austin that compares. There's not any foot traffic in downtown the way there is on soco. Everything else towards the Capitol is dead. It's gonna take awhile to see more consistent foot traffic in the downtown area. And also businesses on soco are all mostly high end. There's also more chain stores that opened up now with that new development near Music Lane.