AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[bigdogc]

thats cool that austonian has numbered floors. makes it a lot easier for us when they start getting up in the 50s.

[actham]

Does anybody know if folks started moving into 360 this week?

[Strayone]

It sure would be nice if The Austonian had a webcam. I think a view from Frost' upper level would do just fine. Altavida is looking huge in Priller's photo, 4 seasons is moving along nicely. I really can't wait to see Spring sporting some green cladding... it could be one of the coolest looking buildings to observe while it climbs and becomes a slender beauty.

[zx14]

I have noticed with the buiding of 360 and the Austonian that there is a clear elevator shaft in the middle. Is that the only place where elevators will be or are there more on the sides. Also it would be a Travis sty if the Austonian did not have a observation deck. It could really make lots of money. Also Austin will be the only city where its tallest building is called what its peope are in that city. Whell Austinite is what it is but close none the less. THey could name the Chicago spire the Chicagoin or Jp Morgan Chase the Houstonian.

[hookem]

While I love the idea of the tallest building in Austin, the name "The Austonian" has always bothered me... at first, I thought it was ridiculous and funny... honestly, I suspected it was an April Fool's joke. A play on the fact that Austin is one of the "greener" (not meaning environmental, but rather the smokier version) cities in the country.

Now that it's really being built, gotta say.. love the tower... hate the stupid name. Who knows? Someday we might all be Austonians instead of Austinites because of it. Ick.

[OU812]

Originally Posted by zx14

I have noticed with the buiding of 360 and the Austonian that there is a clear elevator shaft in the middle. Is that the only place where elevators will be or are there more on the sides. Also it would be a Travis sty if the Austonian did not have a observation deck. It could really make lots of money. Also Austin will be the only city where its tallest building is called what its peope are in that city. Whell Austinite is what it is but close none the less. THey could name the Chicago spire the Chicagoin or Jp Morgan Chase the Houstonian.

Don't fret, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Austonian won't be Austin's tallest for very long after it's completed. Hopefully we'll start seeing 60 and 70+ story towers soon thereafter... And maybe the T.Stacy deal will actually go through.

[Complex01]

Nice updates. Looking very kewl...

[Nightfeed]

Originally Posted by actham

Does anybody know if folks started moving into 360 this week?

I'm pretty sure they did, because they said people would be moving in the week after their opening party (which was last Thursday I think?).

Anybody here a resident, or know someone who is? First impressions?
Also I haven't heard much about The Shore lately, are people moving into that one yet?

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Aiphanes

So why come on its web site and its other proposals to the city does it say that the Ovation has been approved and will be breaking ground in July 2008?

I am just saying if they are lying their proposal for the water treatment plant should be ignored.

Aiphanes,

I do not believe Ovation has a website yet...Furthermore; I also don't believe Andrews Urban's website even refers to it as having been "approved." In fact, Novare's website doesn't even mention it! This does not, by any measure of the word, means that Ovation is not under development. Because, it is!!! And, it's not the fault of the developers if the media provides the public with the wrong information, or provides information which is interpreted as something it is not supposed to be...

Also, start dates are, and will always be, moving targets in the real estate industry. And, I will agree, that some websites like Austin Towers and Urban Austin do have incorrect information from time to time. But, they do there very best to provide the most accurate information available to the public as possible.

So, please, in this case, give Andrews Urban and Novare a break!!! And may I suggest you study the details and hurdles involved in bringing a project of this size to fruition. It’s a lot tougher than you think – there are SO many moving parts to organize (much like trying to organize chaos). You may learn that when one sees a “potential” start date, you must take it with a grain of salt and realize that that date may very well change. And that does not mean there are “problems” with the project!

All the Best,
GB

[DTAustin]

Originally Posted by Nightfeed

I'm pretty sure they did, because they said people would be moving in the week after their opening party (which was last Thursday I think?).

Anybody here a resident, or know someone who is? First impressions?
Also I haven't heard much about The Shore lately, are people moving into that one yet?

I know a few people on the 9th and 10th floors that close next week.

I'm on the 14th and close in about 3 weeks. Our first walk through is early next week.

One interesting point is that about 80% of the people I talked to are renovating (mostly different floors and paint, but a few are ripping out walls and cabinets) before moving in. We went with the stock carpeting and are putting in wood floors right after closing. We're waiting to paint until we have a better sense of what we want it to look like. It is very disappointing that the developer didn't give the option buy an empty shell - it will be a huge waste of brand new materials.

[ATXboom]

^^^^ Very interesting business concept. Why not sell a raw shell at lower cost?!?! I'd be interested in that.

My guess is it is old business model competitive reference thinking that prevents this?? ...or maybe they make such a huge profit on the finish out??

[hookem]

Or, they are hedging their bets in the case that some don't close. It's a lot cheaper to finish out while they are doing 400 units than it would be if they had to come in and finish out a single shell because the original sales contract fell through.

[priller]

Originally Posted by actham

Does anybody know if folks started moving into 360 this week?

MichaelB and I went by there today and they said the first tenants started moving in yesterday.

[Aiphanes]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Aiphanes,

I do not believe Ovation has a website yet...Furthermore; I also don't believe Andrews Urban's website even refers to it as having been "approved." In fact, Novare's website doesn't even mention it! This does not, by any measure of the word, means that Ovation is not under development. Because, it is!!! And, it's not the fault of the developers if the media provides the public with the wrong information, or provides information which is interpreted as something it is not supposed to be...

Also, start dates are, and will always be, moving targets in the real estate industry. And, I will agree, that some websites like Austin Towers and Urban Austin do have incorrect information from time to time. But, they do there very best to provide the most accurate information available to the public as possible.

So, please, in this case, give Andrews Urban and Novare a break!!! And may I suggest you study the details and hurdles involved in bringing a project of this size to fruition. It’s a lot tougher than you think – there are SO many moving parts to organize (much like trying to organize chaos). You may learn that when one sees a “potential” start date, you must take it with a grain of salt and realize that that date may very well change. And that does not mean there are “problems” with the project!

All the Best,
GB

Dude it says that is is approved in its proposal package for the redevelopment of the water treatment plant site. Read it...it says the oviation will break ground in July. So if it is going to break ground in July and it is approved then they are not lying in their water treatment plant proposal. If not then they are lying and need to be disqualified.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Aiphanes,

I do not believe Ovation has a website yet...Furthermore; I also don't believe Andrews Urban's website even refers to it as having been "approved." In fact, Novare's website doesn't even mention it! This does not, by any measure of the word, means that Ovation is not under development. Because, it is!!! And, it's not the fault of the developers if the media provides the public with the wrong information, or provides information which is interpreted as something it is not supposed to be...

Also, start dates are, and will always be, moving targets in the real estate industry. And, I will agree, that some websites like Austin Towers and Urban Austin do have incorrect information from time to time. But, they do there very best to provide the most accurate information available to the public as possible.

So, please, in this case, give Andrews Urban and Novare a break!!! And may I suggest you study the details and hurdles involved in bringing a project of this size to fruition. It’s a lot tougher than you think – there are SO many moving parts to organize (much like trying to organize chaos). You may learn that when one sees a “potential” start date, you must take it with a grain of salt and realize that that date may very well change. And that does not mean there are “problems” with the project!

All the Best,
GB

god, you are good.... and patient!

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by ATXboom

^^^^ Very interesting business concept. Why not sell a raw shell at lower cost?!?! I'd be interested in that.

My guess is it is old business model competitive reference thinking that prevents this?? ...or maybe they make such a huge profit on the finish out??

I agree I would have wanted to have other options. I asked at one point and what I was told... who knows if it is true.... is that it has to do with managing mass production. The more exceptions they make in a building that is so large, the more chance on units not getting done the correct way. I know how much smaller "Bridges on the Park" is and they had tons of problems getting all the custome combinations in units to turn out right. Of course I can't imagine there is not a way to manage it... oh, well.

I agree with the waste of materials.... kinda goes agaist the thought of re-use and re-cycling material, eh? Does seem wasteful.

[Kevinb]

Originally Posted by DTAustin

One interesting point is that about 80% of the people I talked to are renovating (mostly different floors and paint, but a few are ripping out walls and cabinets) before moving in. We went with the stock carpeting and are putting in wood floors right after closing. We're waiting to paint until we have a better sense of what we want it to look like. It is very disappointing that the developer didn't give the option buy an empty shell - it will be a huge waste of brand new materials.

Exactly what we are doing. Selected carpet - keeping it in the master and installing our own wood after closing. The pricing on Novare's wood floors +/- $10-11/sqft seemed like a bit of a profit center compared to what an individual can get. Definately a hassle, but I'll deal with a hassle to save $4K.

On this subject - Does anyone here have connections to a contractor that could competently remove a wall and install some sort of folding wall? Id like to explore a way to have the wall between the living and bedroom #2 in the B3 plan fold away for a larger living room and come back to re-gain the #2 bedroom for guests...

[Raining Inside]

Originally Posted by Aiphanes

Dude it says that is is approved in its proposal package for the redevelopment of the water treatment plant site. Read it...it says the oviation will break ground in July. So if it is going to break ground in July and it is approved then they are not lying in their water treatment plant proposal. If not then they are lying and need to be disqualified.

It does not say that it is approved in the Forest City proposal. It only says they plan to start construction in July. They will get approval, so that's not an issue. Why are you so eager to accuse them of lying and saying that they should be disqualified?

[Jdawgboy]

Ovation has nothing to do with the Green Water Treatment site at all. It is going to be built off of 6th and Nueces, blocks away from the treatment site. While we did finally see renderings of the project and a possible start date, I will believe it when I actually see dirt fly...

[zx14]

Lets get real here first lets make a statement and call Stacys project canciled cause we all know that never will happen. If one of the projects gets built and the other does not well that is what I expect. If both do that will be great. I would pick the green over the ovation if I had to choose. the green is awsome and would fit Austin to a T.