AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[wwmiv]

Yet another ~600-footer.

[Urbannizer]

Total demolition proposed for 608 E 3rd St., possibly to make room for development. As noted by The ATX the site is mostly unaffected by the CVC.

https://twitter.com/theatx1/status/1572331339046883328?s=46&t=nki8wod_u0Kg9RyY2BU2ww

[We vs us]

Way back when, the Manchester Family (who developed the Fairmont) had proposed a tower for that parking lot on the north side of that block. This was, what, 2018? So far as I know it never got past the conceptual stage, and Manchester ended up spending all of its Austin energies keeping the Fairmont afloat. At one time I even think I remember a rumor that they had the whole block minus Moonshine, and had a grand plan for the whole package.

I'll be interested to see if this is the Manchesters finally making a move, or another party, or . . . just someone bored with a quaint, possibly historic SFO on a downtown lot.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Total demolition proposed for 608 E 3rd St., possibly to make room for development. As noted by The ATX the site is mostly unaffected by the CVC.

https://twitter.com/theatx1/status/1572331339046883328?s=46&t=nki8wod_u0Kg9RyY2BU2ww

It's a shame they plan to demo... Wasn't there supposed to be a plan to move these houses and have a Courtyard public space with the houses surrounding it or some sort of public use for them along Waller or have them as apart of the redesign of Palm Park??? I'd much rather have something like that than to have them removed completely.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

It's a shame they plan to demo... Wasn't there supposed to be a plan to move these houses and have a Courtyard public space with the houses surrounding it or some sort of public use for them along Waller or have them as apart of the redesign of Palm Park??? I'd much rather have something like that than to have them removed completely.

when we got our demo permits in Zilker, the city didn't care if we relocated or demoed. Turns out we demoed 2 and saved one. Sold it for $3500....house mover flipped it for $40k as a hunting cabin in Bertram. I'd bet this house will be moved not demoed. But, I lose bets all the time.

[drummer]

That one is certainly small enough to move without significant issue (relatively speaking, of course). It's the larger homes that are a lot trickier. I agree - these can be repurposed in some pretty cool ways, and that's always my preference. I do think that lot can be utilized in positive ways for downtown, so finding a win-win would be great.

[kingkirbythe....]

UT Tower to be upgraded for first time in its 85-year history

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/u...d-for-first-time-in-its-85-year-history/

University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell gave the annual State of The University Address Tuesday afternoon. He talked about record-breaking enrollment, but something that’s also record-breaking is planned renovation for the UT Tower.

It’ll be the first time in the tower’s 85-year history that it’s upgraded.

Hartzell said an announcement is expected to come from Chairman Kevin Eltife and the UT System Board of Regents about a future restoration and renovation project on the tower.

“The Tower endures as a beacon for truth-seekers, academic excellence and achievement, on the very spot where our first learning community gathered,” Hartzell’s prepared remarks said. “Soon, the Tower will shine even brighter.”

Hartzell is referencing an inscription on the tower that reads, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Hartzell pointed out UT’s sixth president Dr. William Battle called truth and freedom the foundation of education, character, and progress.

The campus president’s comments also mentioned the campus is a special place, and the Forty Acres has always reflected the interconnectedness of Austin and UT. The university will continue leaning into what makes it special.

“We are building a campus for the next century. From the recent Gary L. Thomas Energy Engineering building to the Stedman Gardens on University Avenue, the Moody Gardens at the Blanton Museum and the announced project honoring the Precursors on the East Mall, exciting efforts are underway,” Hartzell’s commentary said. “But perhaps no physical space on campus is more photographed or more recognizable than the UT Tower.”

[phowe83]

Does anyone have any info on the Velocity development that is supposed to be out past the airport? The last news articles I am seeing are from 2020/2021 when I do a google search.

[LoneStarMike]

It was mentioned in an Austin Business Journal about four months ago.

Archived (No paywall)

The rush is on: Retailers, builders flock to Southeast Austin, one of city's last affordable enclaves

H-E-B in 2016 bought the 17 acres off SH 71 from Austin-based Marketplace Real Estate Group LLC. The site could eventually hold a 130,000-square-foot store, according to Karl Koebel, a principal at Marketplace.

Next door, Marketplace and Presidium are developing what is likely the largest mixed-use project planned for the region, called Velocity. Up to 7 million square feet of apartments, offices and other commercial space may eventually rise at State Highway 71 and the 130 toll road.

Of that, 310,000 square feet could be dedicated to retail, restaurant and entertainment uses. The timing and breakdown of the space could change as Presidium reacts to the market, said Mark Bulmash, president of mixed-use/master plan development at Presidium.

The first phase of infrastructure improvements has been completed at Velocity and a second phase is being bid out, Bulmash said — and "can quickly go vertical for any large user."

Bulmash said there has been "a ton of interest in this area and everything that Tesla is doing has only intensified that interest."

Velocity could take 10 to 20 years to build out, Bulmash added — giving a rough idea of how long it will take to develop this area that abuts Del Valle. Already standing in the area is a factory for Capsum Inc., which makes perfume for French fashion house Chanel.

[Urbannizer]

11th and Trinity: Residential, Office & Retail

https://weaverbuildings.com/property/pending/

[We vs us]

Wow, is this the Teacher Retirement System property? If so, looks like they're completely taking down the existing building.

[chinchaaa]

we need way more housing in this area!

[dilliam]

Weaver doesn't miss. Thats a beautiful building replacing 2 ugly ones. I'm assuming they'll go light on parking on this one as well?

[Nickelplate]

Originally Posted by We vs us

Wow, is this the Teacher Retirement System property? If so, looks like they're completely taking down the existing building.

Inspecting these 2 images from my untrained eye along with google street view I would estimate the top render is inverted at the corner of 11th and Trinity. With the lower render along Trinity facing east occupying the northern 1/4 or half of the TRS block. So the current surface lots not the office buildings themselves.

[Urbannizer]

Teacher Retirement System Site Sells in Downtown Austin’s Innovation District

News broke in the Austin American-Statesman earlier today that the Teacher Retirement System of Texas has closed on the sale of its longtime headquarters in downtown Austin, a property occupying two full city blocks at 1000 Red River Street near what’s been recently dubbed the city’s new Innovation District. According to today’s report, the 3.83-acre site, currently occupied by some charmingly brutalist ’70s-era concrete buildings housing the offices of the state pension fund, sold to mysterious entity Austin Real Estate Acquisitions LLC for a reported $108 million.

Apparently the Statesman couldn’t get those folks on the phone to figure out who was actually running that LLC from behind the scenes, and buddy, we feel that pain — thankfully, we have a pretty good idea. The deed for the property links the LLC to California-based investors Alexandria Real Estate Equities, a major public company specializing in properties for the life sciences market.

[chinchaaa]

yay!

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by phowe83

Does anyone have any info on the Velocity development that is supposed to be out past the airport? The last news articles I am seeing are from 2020/2021 when I do a google search.

Looks like Velocity is due to come up before the Planning Commission on Oct 11.


https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=394003

[sammyk]

Originally Posted by We vs us

Looks like Velocity is due to come up before the Planning Commission on Oct 11.


https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=394003

Speaking of that area, I noticed they were moving dirt at the northwest corner of SH130 and 71, anyone know what's going on there? I don't think that is Tesla property.

[kingkirbythe....]

It’s Last Call to Vote for Housing at the Palm District in Downtown Austin

https://austin.towers.net/its-last-call-...at-the-palm-district-in-downtown-austin/

The recent planning effort by the City of Austin designating a large swath of downtown near I-35 as the Palm District has always felt a bit inexact for us, rolling the Rainey Street District, the area around the Austin Convention Center that also contains the plan’s namesake Palm School, the entertainment district along Red River Street, and the Innovation District near the new Waterloo Park into one distinct region despite the distance and differences between the adjacent areas — we’re talking about a slice of the city running from the lake all the way up to 15th Street.

[Urbannizer]

827 W 12th