AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[Raining Inside]

Originally Posted by 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.

Lord. What is going on here with what people think about the Ovation? The Ovation is not part of the Green proposals. It will happen regardless of whatever happens with Green.

[ivanwolf]

Originally Posted by DTAustin

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.

I wish I had the income and money to get a downtown condo, but I don't.

So I purchased a 2/1.5 Townhouse near 183/Lamar, its cool and all but its from 1983!!!, and it looks like it too on the inside. I ripped out the carpet in the living room since it had spots on it from a dog pissing on it, and I spent 2 days installing my own laminate flooring. Yeah Me. The carpet upstairs is ok for now but needs a steam cleaning, I will replace it in the summer I think.

The kitchen I think has original cabinets, YUCK!!! So if any of you who wish to tear out your cabinets in those nice condos and want someone to come pick them up, let me know, I have a small kitchen (galley style) so I will not need many. Remember recycle and reuse, think of the environment and some poor chap up north....

I hope you all enjoy them and someday I will hope to do the same.

[KevinFromTexas]

And amen, Goldenboot. I've seen projects proposed and all hyped about in the paper, only to have them start months or even years after their original published start date. And of course, some of them never even started. So, until I see cranes flying, I don't get overly excited other than the fact that such a project is even being proposed at all.

Also, it's been said before, but Ovation doesn't have anything to do with the Green Redevelopment. The only reason it was mentioned in that Green Water Treatment Plant PDF file by Forest City, is that Forest City is teaming up with Andrews Urban and Novare for their Green proposal. Andrews Urban and Novare of course are developing Ovation, along with the block 51 tower, 360 Condos and TWELVE Domain. The only reason Ovation was thrown in there is to give an idea of what people should expected from Andrews Urban and Novare, who are partnering with Forest City.

[Raining Inside]

Originally Posted by ivanwolf

I wish I had the income and money to get a downtown condo, but I don't.

So I purchased a 2/1.5 Townhouse near 183/Lamar, its cool and all but its from 1983!!!, and it looks like it too on the inside. I ripped out the carpet in the living room since it had spots on it from a dog pissing on it, and I spent 2 days installing my own laminate flooring. Yeah Me. The carpet upstairs is ok for now but needs a steam cleaning, I will replace it in the summer I think.

The kitchen I think has original cabinets, YUCK!!! So if any of you who wish to tear out your cabinets in those nice condos and want someone to come pick them up, let me know, I have a small kitchen (galley style) so I will not need many. Remember recycle and reuse, think of the environment and some poor chap up north....

I hope you all enjoy them and someday I will hope to do the same.

It's great that you are unselfishly encouraging recycling!

[Kevinb]

Originally Posted by ivanwolf

The kitchen I think has original cabinets, YUCK!!! So if any of you who wish to tear out your cabinets in those nice condos and want someone to come pick them up, let me know, I have a small kitchen (galley style) so I will not need many. Remember recycle and reuse, think of the environment and some poor chap up north....

I hope you all enjoy them and someday I will hope to do the same.

Austin's Habitat for Humanity is a must visit you! http://www.re-store.com/ Also for those who have any building related items to donate.

[zx14]

I think when the Austonian is topped out must of us on this will cheer and wish for more. However the average Austinite will not share our views. Many will be appauled at the height and it will recieve many mixed views overall. I think the Austonian will be the tallest in Austin for decaids to come.

[Nickelplate]

Originally Posted by zx14

I think the Austonian will be the tallest in Austin for decaids to come.

Awesome

[CHAPINM1]

Originally Posted by zx14

I think the Austonian will be the tallest in Austin for decaids to come.

More like months to a few years at most...

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by zx14

I think when the Austonian is topped out must of us on this will cheer and wish for more. However the average Austinite will not share our views. Many will be appauled at the height and it will recieve many mixed views overall. I think the Austonian will be the tallest in Austin for decaids to come.

Austonian may well remain tallest for a while.. but at the very least there will be other buildings in its range soon.

Luckily J6P doesnt decide what gets built.

[Jdawgboy]

You know as far as peoples perseption of the Austonian or other buildings going up now in downtown, that will eventually pass. I remember when the Frost tower was first built and I actually heard quite a few old time locals complain about it. Now it is a landmark highrise and people are now complaining that Frost will be drowned out in the midst of taller buildings. Over time people are going to get used to the skyline and eventually there will become oldtimers that have lived in this city with the Austonian and the other highrises that have been long built. The older 70's generation will eventually fade away and this whole keep Austin short thing will become a thing of the past because people will then look at Austin as a big city not how people look at it today as a city that got large within 2 decades and is loosing its small town charm...

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

You know as far as peoples perseption of the Austonian or other buildings going up now in downtown, that will eventually pass. I remember when the Frost tower was first built and I actually heard quite a few old time locals complain about it. Now it is a landmark highrise and people are now complaining that Frost will be drowned out in the midst of taller buildings. Over time people are going to get used to the skyline and eventually there will become oldtimers that have lived in this city with the Austonian and the other highrises that have been long built. The older 70's generation will eventually fade away and this whole keep Austin short thing will become a thing of the past because people will then look at Austin as a big city not how people look at it today as a city that got large within 2 decades and is loosing its small town charm...

Hey Jdb...love your enthusiasm and contributions.... ya know I don;t disagree with most of what you say..., but.... you knew there was one.....there is one thing I think we need to be careful of. I think it is too easy to throw people into lumps and dismiss them. (I have the same trouble with folks demonizing all NA's.) To assume the "Older 70's generation" spoke as one voice would not be true. We can not fall victim to the need for media to put folks into groups in order to form a more perfect news story. There are plenty of Austin "Old Timers" who want (noitce I did not put that in the past tense) to see the city grow.... or grow up.... or it simply would not have happened. It is much more "emotional" to report those that "lament". If the folks who truly opposed the growth were a real majority, or even effective minority, it would not have happened. You would not have had all the recent years of pro-growth mayors and council (not matter what you think.... they have been, in general, pro-growth) What you may not be putting together is that is that very same 70's generation that was coming to power in the 80's that looked at a stalled and empty downtown and started to envision something different. So, just because the sympathetic media eye got turned to part of the demographic that didn't want change. Remember, and be thankful for the other part of the same generation who did.

I also need to say that we would not have the beautiful natural resourses that people flock here for if it were not for some of those "subsets" who fought to protect our greenspace from development. I am forever indebted to them. We all should be. And... we need to make sure we don't blow it and allow those natural resources to be too compromised!

Also, you are sooo right about how people move and change... and you are very perceptive about how the Frost was played in the media as a problem with locals.... and is now beloved. But don't forget it was just as much of a manufactured problem and rumored problem as anything. Everyone I know..... and no one is as big of design Geek as me... everyone loved the Frost from day one..... and no one lamets it's passing as our tallest. I sure don't. I just see it as another exciting step in the evolution of Austin.

[Mopacs]

Here's a few shots taken yesterday, for your viewing pleasure...

This is from Town Lake-y Bird Park.. I too just noticed the green lighting on AMLI II. ... VERY nice!













And here's a few of Legacy and downtown from Joe's Crab Shack.

Legacy absolutely dominates this view

[KevinFromTexas]

If you visit the observation hill in Butler Park, you'll overhear a lot of conversations about the skyline and buildings. Frost Bank Tower, and all the other buildings, as well as what's being proposed. It's interesting to eaves drop on people's conversations regarding highrises. Every once in a while I direct them here.

[hismasterplan]

I went downtown the other night and looked at the Monarch to see the infamous changing lights because I had never seen them before but they weren't on. What happened here?

[priller]

MichaelB and I went for a walk Friday morning, mainly to see the models of the Green proposals on display at City Hall. Unfortunately there are no actual models, there were just displays with videos, much like what we've already seen online. Oh well. For me, though, it was worthwhile since I've never actually been inside City Hall before, and we went up into the "stinger" to get a great view of the W site.

A few interior shots of City Hall:






The W site:






From there we walked to the 360 and looked inside the lobby. They had no units on display -- no need, since they're sold out -- so we didn't get to see much. We asked the woman at the desk when Ovation was going to start, and she said in the Fall, although she didn't seem too sure about it.




Then we walked to the Spring, which is really starting to take shape. It's so small! But it's a very handsome design. Really looking forward to seeing the green glass on it:








Next we went to the Monarch. Here's their rather small pool:






We went inside and got a quick tour. The inside is actually really nicely done. Well decorated and great materials used throughout. A big step up from most apartments. I wish I had taken more photos. We also looked briefly in a small one-bedroom unit. Again, very nice. Great balcony. But it was only a brief visit, as the sales agent showing us around had a real client come to look at the penthouse units.

And that was our excitement for the day. Unless you count Michael's parking ticket he had waiting for him when we got back to my place.

[CHAPINM1]

Great to see more dirt gone from the W site! Also regarding the Monarch, isn't it apartments and not condos?

[austin242]

yes they were originaly apartments when they switched to condos and then back to apartments.

[CHAPINM1]

Originally Posted by austin242

yes they were originaly apartments when they switched to condos and then back to apartments.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOKAYYYYYYYYYYY...................

[DTAustin]

Originally Posted by Kevinb

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...

We're thinking of doing the same thing - replacing the solid wall between our bedroom and living room with a sliding wall. We found this site that makes sliding doors. http://www.txslidingdoor.com/

Our bid to build 4 doors that will replace the entire wall came in at $3400, not including demo or installation.

I don't have a contractor yet. If anyone knows of a good, professional, responsive contractor please let us know. My experience with contractors for small jobs in Austin hasn't been very good.

[zx14]

I agree when you are talking about a 300 thousand dollar condo you cant be too safe with your investment. I would suggest an extensive search with references and examples. Maybe even someone with experience with highrise condos. That may be hard to find in Austin. Also I dont see any proposals taller than the austonian now.(I dont count Stacys) The tallest will besides the Austonian will be in the Green at 650 feet. Also 21c will be close. Our skyline will rival New Orleans but be smaller than the boston atlanta charlotte and the like which have 800 footers of taller. though bigger than Tulsa and the like which maybe have a 650 foot tall cenrepiece but not much else. Maybe Miami at present. But miami will continue to bound ahead.