This is a great example of transit oriented development.
Counter to the argument of: "build rail where people are", on relatively short timelines (compared to the lifetime of said infrastructure), the people (and development) will go to where mass transit is.
It's been happening for years with expressways in Texas, why would it be any different with mass transit?
ACC is still doing a lot of renovation inside the old mall as well. I have a class there this semester. Definitely construction going on inside the old shell.
The Planning and Development Center (PDC) is a striking campus designed to attract, retain, and inspire top talent — including the many millennials now entering the workforce — and to serve the customers and citizens of Austin more effectively and conveniently. The large flow of daily visitors will experience convenience and an approachability not normally associated with civic departments. Centrally located within the Austin city limits, PDC’s location at Highland Mall is energetic, walkable, and transit-friendly. The user experience of the building will be characterized by its embrace of the outdoors with large windows to draw in natural light; a rooftop deck space; and open, inviting public spaces. The building is designed to promote sharing and increase interaction between departments to better serve the Austin community.
It would be nice if the planning department would get on the ball about digitizing older site plans. I think 1983 was the cutoff point from what their guy told me, but I had to view the actual physical plans for just about every building from the 80s. The guy told me they have a warehouse with probably 10,000 boxes of building plans. From what I understand, they weren't required to keep the plans at all before 1975, and even shortly after that year the plans are hard to find. I was lucky to get to see the ones I did. Viewing the One American Center plans, for example, was like getting a peek at the holy grail. ha
My dentist's office has a nice view over Highland to downtown. Was able to get some pics of Highland reconstruction as well as a view over to the office building going up next to the triangle.
This is outside of the mall property proper, across the street where the City of Austin Employee Retirement System used to be located.
The led rainbow strip thing is an odd touch. At least there's a "restaurant" within a 3 minute walk.
Kidding aside, I like how these guys operate (in Austin, can't speak to the rest of their portfolio). Mostly harmless and relatively dense infill on what were previously forgettable and often distressed properties near major corridors. We need a dozen more of these builders.
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