AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 14

Jdawgboy · #1 Posted **Mar 16, 2014, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

This is ridiculous... There are no plans to turn this into an interstate, a planning process which typically takes 20+ years. If it were going to happen, we'd already be hearing about it. There's more traffic on it now because Austin is larger and is more connected to the outside world, not because there are more commuters from Milam County (a county, btw, which is shrinking). When there is actual population growth in that county and we see actual increases in the number of people who commute into Travis County (note that is has to be Travis County, not Williamson, because of the way that the census bureau defines our metropolitan area) I might reconsider, but there is no indication that that will happen.

I said I wouldn't be surprised in the future, I didn't say it was happening now. I also didn't say Williamson would be defined by the metro area, I said Williamson is projected to reach a million people. Your talking about what is going on in Milam County right now but when you consider 20 to 30 years into the future, its a pretty good bet to assume Milam will be growing just by the fact that it will border a county with a million people and will be influenced by the Austin metro as a whole.

kingkirbythe.... · #2 Posted **Mar 13, 2014, 2:54 PM**

This one looks nice.

MightyYoda · #3 Posted **Mar 13, 2014, 6:10 PM**

I like it.

KevinFromTexas · #4 Posted **Mar 16, 2014, 9:09 PM**

Actually counties like Caldwell and Milam, which have very little there in the way of jobs, rely heavily on the Austin metro for jobs. Places like Hays County and Burnet County are less dependent because they do at least have some jobs thanks to a university and resorts. Caldwell is already part of our metro, I think the only reason Milam hasn't been added yet is that it's slightly farther away. That could change if a major employer were to pop up closer to Milam County to bring in those residents.

kingkirbythe.... · #5 Posted **Mar 17, 2014, 5:09 AM**

Maybe all this commuter percentage, csa, cmsa stuff could go into this thread. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=210256

wwmiv · #6 Posted **Mar 17, 2014, 12:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Maybe all this commuter percentage, csa, cmsa stuff could go into this thread. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=210256

Let's not move those posts... all that would serve is to embarrass me forum-wide.

KevinFromTexas · #7 Posted **Mar 18, 2014, 1:56 AM**

I posted a new photo thread in the main section of the forum.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=210293

SkyPie · #8 Posted **Mar 18, 2014, 3:47 AM**

From 3/16/2014. The old garage is almost gone.

Urbannizer · #9 Posted **Mar 18, 2014, 6:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyPie

From 3/16/2014. The old garage is almost gone.

I took a few pics of this site today. What's going to replace the garage?

JoninATX · #10 Posted **Mar 18, 2014, 9:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

I took a few pics of this site today. What's going to replace the garage?

Another garage. It will be 8 stories, it should have some good views of the city when I go up there once completed.

SkyPie · #11 Posted **Mar 19, 2014, 12:04 AM**

Progress is being made on the small Cirrus Logic building at the northwest corner of the 360. Also, I know some people probably aren't happy about it, but the redo of La Zona Rosa building looks good. It was pretty dumpy looking before.

Urbannizer · #12 Posted **Mar 19, 2014, 3:02 AM**

Crest at Pearl

Syndic · #13 Posted **Mar 19, 2014, 2:11 PM**

Jesus, that's risen fast. I think it's going to be a nice building. I like curved corners like that.

NYC2ATX · #14 Posted **Mar 21, 2014, 6:52 AM**

I found myself in the Taco Cabana on Lamar and Riverside tonight and realized I'd totally forgot about the planned apartments at that site. I didn't want to bump the thread for the project without news, but I'm curious. Have there been any further developments regarding the new building? Last I heard the height variance was approved to allow them to build as high as they'd originally intended, but since the Taco Cabana remains on and poppin' I'm wondering the status of the project.

The ATX · #15 Posted **Mar 21, 2014, 9:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatenIslander237

I found myself in the Taco Cabana on Lamar and Riverside tonight and realized I'd totally forgot about the planned apartments at that site. I didn't want to bump the thread for the project without news, but I'm curious. Have there been any further developments regarding the new building? Last I heard the height variance was approved to allow them to build as high as they'd originally intended, but since the Taco Cabana remains on and poppin' I'm wondering the status of the project.

After they got the final approval from the city council for the height variance the developers announced a July 1st start date.

austlar1 · #16 Posted **Mar 21, 2014, 6:12 PM**

The announcement that Waller Place is going to be funded by a VERY DEEP POCKETED investment group known as McCourt Global would seem to be huge news, but there is not much talk about it on the local forums. Looks like Sutton and Co. was able to find some serious money to join (or take over?) their ambitious project for that corner of downtown. If this thing really gets started, it will probably encourage the Fairmont developers to continue with their hotel project.

bigdogc · #17 Posted **Mar 21, 2014, 7:27 PM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...rapers-in.html

Another article for Waller Center. Can't wait to see the demolition on this. That whole area encompasses like 5 buildings, a public road, etc. It is just a massive space in the Rainey District.

GoldenBoot · #18 Posted **Mar 22, 2014, 6:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

The announcement that Waller Place is going to be funded by a VERY DEEP POCKETED investment group known as McCourt Global would seem to be huge news, but there is not much talk about it on the local forums. Looks like Sutton and Co. was able to find some serious money to join (or take over?) their ambitious project for that corner of downtown. If this thing really gets started, it will probably encourage the Fairmont developers to continue with their hotel project.

(1) The McCourt's are a troubled family. I am worried about this union.

(2) Nothing will "encourage" another developer to engage in a project other than a profit line!

(3) I am now beginning to get worried with the volume of hotel rooms in the current pipeline. With CBD office vacancy at 11% (~14% including the U/C Colorado Tower), I'd really like to see a 40+ story office tower or a 60/70+ mixed use tower with retail, residential and office. No more hotels.

Should Austin's CBD become overbuilt with hotel rooms, the rates will decrease. Thus, new CBD lodging investment will wane in the coming decade. I would prefer to see constant and sustained growth.

MightyYoda · #19 Posted **Mar 22, 2014, 1:15 PM**

I think Fairmont is a bit different due to it being a convention center hotel and being almost 3 years out from when it starts. That is enough time for the area to absorb rooms. I do wonder if ZaZa can continue as is though. I don't think you will see any office building proposals until Colorado comes online and people see how quickly it leases space. I do think Seaholm gave a lot of investors confidence in the condo market.

ATXboom · #20 Posted **Mar 22, 2014, 1:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyYoda

I think Fairmont is a bit different due to it being a convention center hotel and being almost 3 years out from when it starts. That is enough time for the area to absorb rooms. I do wonder if ZaZa can continue as is though. I don't think you will see any office building proposals until Colorado comes online and people see how quickly it leases space. I do think Seaholm gave a lot of investors confidence in the condo market.

Regarding hotels I also agree Fairmont is unique. The cache and demand for major conventions in Austin is off the charts. This hotel (3 convention hotels necessary) will open Austin to the major league convention circuit which is demanding Austin in volume. I also think there are some niche markets to serve. At the low cost end (see indigo) and boutique (za za). Austin gets young budget sensitive visitors and creative professional visitors looking for a boutique experience.