The Transformation of South Lamar

[ohhey]

That drive-thru configuration is going to be problematic. I'm happy they're building an In-N-Out in South Austin, but this lot is too small for it.

[H2O]

Originally Posted by ohhey

That drive-thru configuration is going to be problematic. I'm happy they're building an In-N-Out in South Austin, but this lot is too small for it.

Sorry, a little off topic, but has anybody tried Smashburger in Mueller? We ate there last night and it was fantastic! I think it is way better than In-N-Out or P Terry's, although it is more dine-in than take out and does not have a drive-thru. It is more like a fast Hut's. They even serve local craft beer!

[MichaelB]

I'm just amazed they are still building drive thrus……
thought we were getting past that.

[KevinFromTexas]

i'm actually still ok with drive-thrus, as long as they're in the right neighborhood and are well planned. Obviously they shouldn't be in downtown and they should be discouraged where we're wanting density. Still, I think there is a place for them, and I'm not just talking about in the suburbs. They serve a very specific purpose of serving food fast for when you're on the go, too busy or too tired. Maybe it's late, but you're still hungry. Actually I'd argue drive-thrus are better than if they had a parking lot with a lot of spaces. A car might sit in line for 5 minutes versus one sitting in the parking lot for 20 minutes to a half hour.

And I'm not a fan of fast food. There's maybe a handful of places I like enough to keep going back. Whataburger, Dan's Hamburgers, P. Terry's, In-N-Out, Sandy's, Taco Cabana and then most of the sandwich shops like Thundercloud Subs and Subway.

Alternative forms of getting there should be encouraged. I'd like to see bike racks retro-actively placed at these businesses, not just for the new construction, but the older existing buildings, too.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

...

And I'm not a fan of fast food. There's maybe a handful of places I like enough to keep going back. Whataburger, Dan's Hamburgers, P. Terry's, In-N-Out, Sandy's, Taco Cabana and then most of the sandwich shops like Thundercloud Subs and Subway...

For not being a fan of fast food, you sure do like a lot of them.

[lzppjb]

I've never considered Dan's or Sandy's as fast food. Probably because I never grab it and go. Always eat there.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

For not being a fan of fast food, you sure do like a lot of them.

I guess I consider national chains more fast food. They're way more generic than our local places.

[audiomuse]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I'm just amazed they are still building drive thrus……
thought we were getting past that.

In the past year or so, a Raising Cane's and Chik-Fil-A drive-thru were both built near the intersection of Guadalupe and MLK.

I was really disappointed to see that in the downtown UT/area.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by audiomuse

In the past year or so, a Raising Cane's and Chik-Fil-A drive-thru were both built near the intersection of Guadalupe and MLK.

I was really disappointed to see that in the downtown UT/area.

yep… I agree!

[LoneStarMike]

June 24, 2014


Cielo at Lamar & Manchaca























The 704









The garage for this project is open now and offers free parking for retail, so I went in, thinking I might be able to get to the top floor for a view of the skyline, but unfortunately, the elevators only allow you to get as high as the 4th floor right now, and floors 5 & 6 are roped off and it says it's still a construction area, so you can't even walk up the rest of the way.

I can't wait until the entire garage is finished.

[KevinFromTexas]

Looky there. There's a neighborhood forming.

And I've been looking forward to seeing those garage views also. I just hope they don't have them blocked off on the top floors. I went for photos at the Austin Skyhouse garage and only the lower floors are accessible. The rest are blocked with a gate. I think it's kind of creepy actually, a cage inside a parking garage.

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Looky there. There's a neighborhood forming.

And I've been looking forward to seeing those garage views also.

Well don't hold your breath. It's looking like the 704 is going to be the only development where you can get to the top floor and maybe see the skyline.

At Gibson Flats, there's a few parking spaces for prospective tenants, but the parking garage used by the residents is behind one of those metal gates like stores at malls pull down when they close for the night.

And the top level of the Cielo's garage looks like it sits a little lower than the apartments that surround it.



http://www.dsiaustin.com/Lamar&Manchac_after.jpg

I can't tell where the garage for the Hanover is, but I don't think it has any ground floor retail, so most likely their garage will be secured entry for residents only.

That only leaves Lamar Union.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/r...oulevard-is-still-austins-street-of.html

Jul 14, 2014, 7:21am CDT
Why Lamar Boulevard is still Austin's street of dreams, and more — slideshow

Jan Buchholz
Staff Writer-
Austin Business Journal

In the July 11 print edition of Austin Business Journal, the star of the show is Lamar Boulevard, the city’s business spine, which divides Austin in half.

During my first visit to Austin in 2006 so that my daughter Kira Couch could check out St. Edwards University, we hopped onto Lamar Boulevard in South Austin and headed north after a few side trips to trailer food eateries.

The whole 23-mile stretch of Lamar truly is quintessential Austin ranging from dance halls to strip clubs to fine restaurants. There’s plenty of residential possibilities and big corporate businesses. There’s something for everybody. In addition to our cover story treatment, ABJ has posted an accompanying slideshow of many of Lamar’s highlights — just click on the photo to launch the slideshow.

[dhinaustin]

Looks like they are starting to move some dirt around at 3600 South Lamar (next to Red's) Anyone seen any renderings? Is it still going to be called Eskew Place?

[Syndic]

The pictures aren't showing up for me. Must be an imageshack/permission issue. Some image websites get real propertarian about images uploaded to their site. Try imgur instead. They have an add-on you can download so that you can just right-click on an image and quickly upload it.

[AustinYIMBY]

I have been following SSP pretty religiously (see: obsessively), but I have yet to make any contributions. Well.. now is the time...

Being that I live on S Lamar, I am surrounded by this amazing transformation. Wanted to share some photos from today as well as what I could see as of the progress of the projects. I am also currently working at the 704 At The Spoke project. (Sorry for the poor picture quality, I am nothing close to a pro photographer, and seriously lack the pro equipment.)

3600 S Lamar

A lot of earth moving going on, and it looks like they are already going relatively deep.

704 at the Spoke


Work on the last section of this project is still ongoing. The exterior is mainly complete, and the interior is being trimmed out. From what I can tell from working at this site, I would say that there are at least a couple months left on this.

Cielo



Looks like there is significant work to be done still. The section on S Lamar is still undergoing exterior work, and it looks like the interior is still just frame. I am not sure of the progress on the back sections.

Artz Rib House

Structures are demolished, but the site is definitely not construction ready. I have yet to see any sort of activity on this site since I have lived in the area.

Site between Abbey Printing and Southside Pizza

Again, haven't seen any activity here, but the area is fenced off. And apparently, "Ramen is coming"...

Lamar Union





Quite a bit of progress here. Looks like Alamo is well underway with their tenant improvements, and hopefully the Fall 2014 opening is still valid.

Hanover



The exterior work is coming along. The workzone walkway (which reeked of urine) has been taken down, and sidewalk concrete is being poured. Looking from the street, I can still see framing on the interior, so it looks like they have significant work left.

ARC Printing site

Building has been fenced off, but I have seen very little activity here.

New MedSpring

This project looks complete, and I believe they are open for business.

Once again, sorry for the poor quality of the pictures, but hopefully you can get an idea of the progress.

[AustinYIMBY]

Thank you!
That was very helpful!

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by kadingpa

Quite a bit of progress here. Looks like Alamo is well underway with their tenant improvements, and hopefully the Fall 2014 opening is still valid.

There was an article in the Statesman just yesterday about this project.

Opening nears for 1st phase of South Lamar development
By Gary Dinges
August 1, 2014

Work is progressing on the Lamar Union development project, with the first phase – the Highball entertainment venue and a newly expanded Alamo Drafthouse theater – expected to open within the next few weeks, according to Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League.

The mixed-use project, at the site of the former Lamar Plaza shopping center at South Lamar Boulevard and Treadwell Street in Central Austin, will include 86,000 square feet of shops and restaurants plus 443 apartments when it is completed by the end of the year, executives with Charleston, S.C.-based developer Greystar said.

Re: Hanover S. Lamar

South Lamar luxury apartments to open for move-ins in a month
Kritika Kulshrestha
Austin Business Journal
July 18, 2014

The Hanover Company, a Houston-based real estate development company, announced Thursday that it will open its Hanover South Lamar luxury apartments to a limited number of residents for move-in next month.

As of now, 3.5 percent of the units have been leased and the company wants to attain its goal of 10 to 15 percent by August 22, according to Rita Anderson, community manager at Hanover South Lamar.

Re: Cielo S. Lamr


Coming Soon: Cielo South Lamar
Community Impact
July 7, 2014

Cielo South Lamar at 2717 S. Lamar Blvd. began preleasing in June, with move-ins scheduled for late August.

Re: 3600 S. Lamar

I don't know what's going on there, but I don't think it's Eskew Place. Those food trailers moved out on October 31, 2012 in anticipation of the project starting, but several months later I noticed a sign on the site saying the land was again for sale. I live in the complex next door but haven't taken the time to walk down there and look.

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice pics, kadingpa. The development happening there really is something. It's nice to see those street level shots showing the sidewalk. That area is going to be so much nicer with that stuff. One thing, though, I can't say I'm crazy about the balconies on Cielo. It seems like privacy would be an issue. Those balconies give the building a very Asian appearance the way buildings there are wrapped with balconies with little privacy.

[LoneStarMike]

Originally Posted by LoneStarMike

Re: 3600 S. Lamar

I don't know what's going on there, but I don't think it's Eskew Place. Those food trailers moved out on October 31, 2012 in anticipation of the project starting, but several months later I noticed a sign on the site saying the land was again for sale.

Well, scratch that. Apparently Eskew Place is on again

https://www.austintexas.gov/devreview/b_showpublicpermitfolderdetails.jsp?FolderRSN=11172895

Multifamily (69 units) and a restaurant pad.