AUSTIN | Aloft Austin & Element Hotel Downtown | 328 FEET | 31 FLOORS | Complete - Page 16

corvairkeith · #1 Posted **Apr 30, 2016, 11:46 PM**

Today.

wwmiv · #2 Posted **May 1, 2016, 12:06 AM**

I'm as excited to see this one rise as I am some of the other more talked about projects.

SkyPie · #3 Posted **May 1, 2016, 1:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

I'm as excited to see this one rise as I am some of the other more talked about projects.

Me too. I love infill projects like this one that make a huge impact on the pedestrian experience and take very little land.

the Genral · #4 Posted **May 10, 2016, 6:26 AM**

I googled concrete vs steel in highrise construction and there were plenty of pros and cons for each. Both posts prior hit on some, concrete being better at sound proofing, stiffer structure, and thinner floor plate, as little as 8 inches thick are a few more. Also the lead time to get the steel material can be a factor, up to 8 months.
Austin's tallest building in the late 30s was the UT tower and it has a steel beam skeleton with a limestone facade. Not sure where the steel came from, but I'm guessing not locally.

IluvATX · #5 Posted **May 10, 2016, 6:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Genral

I googled concrete vs steel in highrise construction and there were plenty of pros and cons for each. Both posts prior hit on some, concrete being better at sound proofing, stiffer structure, and thinner floor plate, as little as 8 inches thick are a few more. Also the lead time to get the steel material can be a factor, up to 8 months.
Austin's tallest building in the late 30s was the UT tower and it has a steel beam skeleton with a limestone facade. Not sure where the steel came from, but I'm guessing not locally.

I have worked on numerous hospitals that have steel or concrete construction. The floor plates are Usually the same, 6 inches on top of metal decking for steel and 6-8 inches for concrete. I remember the thing I liked most about concrete was the lack of fireproofing needed. Concrete won't burn, where as with steel there is a huge amount of materials and effort involved to meet fire code so the steel won't burn.

the Genral · #6 Posted **May 10, 2016, 7:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvATX

I have worked on numerous hospitals that have steel or concrete construction. The floor plates are Usually the same, 6 inches on top of metal decking for steel and 6-8 inches for concrete. I remember the thing I liked most about concrete was the lack of fireproofing needed. Concrete won't burn, where as with steel there is a huge amount of materials and effort involved to meet fire code so the steel won't burn.

True, unless the span is immense, greater than 35 feet, then the metal decking can be as thick as 12 inches. Neither here nor there albeit interesting to discuss, I was hoping for steel beam construction on this one. It would have been fun to watch compared to our usual wait for the forms to be put in place then wait for the cement to set before moving on to the next floor. This would have shot up pretty quick. When this broke ground, there was some speculation among some of us that it was going to be steel framed, but I'm not sure what lead us to believe that. Its still rising relatively fast considering the smallish footprint and no parking garage.

corvairkeith · #7 Posted **May 21, 2016, 10:12 PM**

This morning.

priller · #8 Posted **May 31, 2016, 2:01 AM**

Siding is starting to go up. Actually looks a lot like what's on the Westin on 5th.

clubtokyo · #9 Posted **Jun 1, 2016, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

Siding is starting to go up. Actually looks a lot like what's on the Westin on 5th.

I like the different colors in the facade.

corvairkeith · #10 Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 2:26 AM**

It's going to get two different styles of cladding, one for the Element section and another for the Aloft section.

It's a little early to say for sure but I think the different materials and colors may help break up the "blank" South facing wall everyone has been freaking out about.

Syndic · #11 Posted **Aug 3, 2016, 5:53 PM**

From my office today. Sorry about the finger.

Nickelplate · #12 Posted **Aug 4, 2016, 10:10 AM**

In the early zeros my company had a contract with the Driskill Hotel and I would frequent that back alley. From my recollection there were residences with garage doors to that alleyway in the buildings facing congress avenue, also the stench from those dumpsters was atrocious. I use to feel bad for the hotel security who had to man the service entrance 24/7. I wonder if its the same today?

the Genral · #13 Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 3:51 AM**

From the first pic, I think the cladding on the right looks more interesting, but I do like the color of the glass to the left.

KevinFromTexas · #14 Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 4:24 AM**

I'm actually not sure how I feel about the facade. I'm a worried it could look dated in a few years time. I hope I'm wrong. I'm also not so crazy about it looking so similar to the Westin. One is enough in the interest of originality.

corvairkeith · #15 Posted **Jun 7, 2016, 4:26 AM**

I don't think the glass is different colored it's just looks blue because it is reflecting sky. Here is an early rendering of the North side of the building showing the two hotel brands.

Jdawgboy · #16 Posted **Jun 8, 2016, 10:09 PM**

It's wider looking than I was expecting fronting Congress. That's not a bad thing, just making an observation.

The depression facing south does a lot to break up the wall.

ohhey · #17 Posted **Jun 9, 2016, 12:08 AM**

Ugly cladding. Cheap-looking, flimsy, and oddly proportioned fenestration. Not much better than Indigo/Holiday Inn Express. Massing is good though.

the Genral · #18 Posted **Jun 9, 2016, 12:37 AM**

If it had to be one facade or the other, I wouldn't choose the Aloft side because those darker grey vertical stripes would drive me to come up with another rant. But combined with the simplicity of the Element side, this building at least looks somewhat unique and interesting.

drummer · #19 Posted **Jun 9, 2016, 4:53 PM**

I personally think this is head and shoulders better than Indigo/Holiday Inn Express. Certainly not the best, but I wouldn't even compare the two beyond the fact that it's two hotels in one building.

SkyPie · #20 Posted **Jun 9, 2016, 10:23 PM**

I think we will be mostly pleased by the way this one turns out. It's tall and skinny on a small lot, which makes it somewhat interesting and unique for Austin, and it should have a great street presence with the balcony and the other ways that it will interact with pedestrians. At this point it gets a thumbs up from me.