AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 202

The ATX · #**4021** Posted **May 25, 2017, 3:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubtokyo

3 year extension should be expiring soon right? 416 Congress may be the development to start?

https://www.virtualbx.com/constructi...ory-hotel.html

I'm not 100% sure about the site plan status for this project. But the site was for sale late last year with an approved site plan.

The ATX · #**4022** Posted **May 25, 2017, 3:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzppjb

One of those posters also said to expect some big Waller Creek news in the next couple of months. No details given.

Waller Creek (as opposed to Waller Park Place) covers a pretty big area. It's almost hard to go wrong with that statement.

Isn't that Shaggy source on a City Commission?

We vs us · #**4023** Posted **May 25, 2017, 3:15 PM**

The Virgin Hotels Development website is an interesting read. http://development.virginhotels.com/

Quote:

Virgin Hotels seeks attractive boutique hotel development in the world’s most dynamic cities.
Capitalizing on the Virgin brand’s global appeal and cosmopolitan fan base, Virgin Hotels’ target list includes major global cities (e.g. Chicago, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, London, Paris, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Mexico City). We are keen to discover properties ranging from smaller boutique hotels to larger, high-quality, luxury hotels with up to 400 rooms in appealing neighborhoods that will meet the expectations of travelers in the “creative class” – a culture and mindset that represent the values of our target guests.

Hotel Conversions Made Simple
Virgin Hotels is an ideal brand option for your unencumbered hotel when it’s time to step up your game. Here’s what it takes.

– The ideal hotel has over 150 keys, 6k to 10k square feet of meeting space, and suitable for a rooftop bar and Commons Club. Click here to learn more about the Virgin Hotels Food and Beverage concept.

– Timeline to convert your hotel is approximately 18 months.

– Cost to convert your hotel is similar to any branded four star hotel product

– Virgin Hotels Operations team is experienced and equipped to take over hotel operations on day one! Click here to learn more about Our Operations Team

– Virgin Hotels experienced design and technical service team will provide developers and owners with a clear process which helps ensure a conversion that is on brand, on time, and on budget. Click here to learn more about our Design & Technical Service Team

They're focused on conversions in this text, but I know that the Nashville property is a new build.

IMO, what they're describing is something almost exactly the scale of The Proper, ZaZa, W Austin.

GoldenBoot · #**4024** Posted **May 25, 2017, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

Waller Creek (as opposed to Waller Park Place) covers a pretty big area. It's almost hard to go wrong with that statement.

True. Didn't think about the that.

KevinFromTexas · #**4025** Posted **May 25, 2017, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

That info on 4th is not good if someone intends to tear down.
I'll fight that one for sure.

I agree. I'm usually pro-development especially pro high rise, but that would be disruptive to downtown.

There aren't many more lots available in the warehouse district where a tower could go. Really the only one(s) left are the ones on 4th Street facing Colorado and Congress. Since 405 Colorado seems to be in limbo, at least somewhat, and if it falls through, I would love to see a big tower on those two lots. I would love to to see something well over 700 feet there maybe more.

We vs us · #**4026** Posted **May 25, 2017, 5:50 PM**

Is the Warehouse District protected in any way? I don't see any nearby CVCs.

Sigaven · #**4027** Posted **May 25, 2017, 7:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Re: Cedar Door..... certainly hope they maintain the original house!!!!!

If I remember correctly, the Cedar Door has been moved two or three times since it first opened at its original location. Same building I think. Just closed down, picked up, moved, and re opened. Wouldn't be surprised if they do that again...quite a storied building, that one!

GoldenBoot · #**4028** Posted **May 25, 2017, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Is the Warehouse District protected in any way? I don't see any nearby CVCs.

Yes. I believe that specific area of the Warehouse District (4th Street) is protected.

lzppjb · #**4029** Posted **May 25, 2017, 9:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

Waller Creek (as opposed to Waller Park Place) covers a pretty big area. It's almost hard to go wrong with that statement.

Isn't that Shaggy source on a City Commission?

Not sure what exactly he does. I just know he's in the business somehow.

We vs us · #**4030** Posted **May 25, 2017, 10:33 PM**

Not sure I could see a Virgin hotel in the Waller Creek area. That makes it half convention district, half Rainey Street, and Virgin strikes me as more polished and luxury than that.

If 416 Congress came back from the dead, I'd vote that as most like location.

MichaelB · #**4031** Posted **May 26, 2017, 4:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Yes. I believe that specific area of the Warehouse District (4th Street) is protected.

You are always so good at this info... I hope you are right. I know there was a big debate over it with the city.....Not remembering the outcome.
I do remember an unfortunate amount of more recent transplants on here not being in favor of it being protected.
OY.
I recall some one really thinking some new generic building with a bar on the first floor would have the same vibe. ... sigh.

H2O · #**4032** Posted **May 26, 2017, 12:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

You are always so good at this info... I hope you are right. I know there was a big debate over it with the city.....Not remembering the outcome.
I do remember an unfortunate amount of more recent transplants on here not being in favor of it being protected.
OY.
I recall some one really thinking some new generic building with a bar on the first floor would have the same vibe. ... sigh.

Height limits and transfer of development rights for the warehouse district was proposed in the Downtown Austin Plan, but they were not well received. The Warehouse District as a whole does not have protected status. The only possibility would be Historic Landmark designation for individual buildings, but I am not aware of any that have it.

We vs us · #**4033** Posted **May 26, 2017, 1:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

Height limits and transfer of development rights for the warehouse district was proposed in the Downtown Austin Plan, but they were not well received. The Warehouse District as a whole does not have protected status. The only possibility would be Historic Landmark designation for individual buildings, but I am not aware of any that have it.

I wondered about this. The tower that was recently announced for Sullivan's was surprising to me, because it seems to chisel away at the Warehouse District in a way that others so far have not.

It dovetails, though, with the comment from Shaggy -- if Sully's is going, it stands to reason that other chunks in the district will go, too, if not protected.

GoldenBoot · #**4034** Posted **May 26, 2017, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

Height limits and transfer of development rights for the warehouse district was proposed in the Downtown Austin Plan, but they were not well received. The Warehouse District as a whole does not have protected status. The only possibility would be Historic Landmark designation for individual buildings, but I am not aware of any that have it.

Yes. Now I remember. It was proposed back in 2009 (I believe) and this specific area of 4th Street (between Colorado and Lavaca) was to be the "Core Preservation District." However, it did quietly go away without any action being taken.

So, no...this area is not currently protected.

Thanks H2O for jogging my memory.

smt1 · #**4035** Posted **May 26, 2017, 11:10 PM**

Wonder if this will make rail more likely:

City treasurer: 2018 bond election could reach $500 million without impacting taxpayers, doubling expectations

https://communityimpact.com/austin/c...-expectations/

The ATX · #**4036** Posted **May 27, 2017, 1:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by smt1

Wonder if this will make rail more likely:

City treasurer: 2018 bond election could reach $500 million without impacting taxpayers, doubling expectations

https://communityimpact.com/austin/c...-expectations/

I hope so. I'm contemplating a move back into central Austin or downtown by 2020, so better mass transit options would seal the deal for me.

Jdawgboy · #**4037** Posted **May 27, 2017, 3:16 AM**

I am whole heartedly against the proposed tower where Sully's is. They can build it on that surface parking lot across the intersection but I'd rather not see what is really a nice looking brick building taken out. It would also break up the transition from the Second Street District to the Warehouse District.

lzppjb · #**4038** Posted **May 27, 2017, 5:10 AM**

Can someone jog my memory on the Sully's tower?

The ATX · #**4039** Posted **May 27, 2017, 8:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzppjb

Can someone jog my memory on the Sully's tower?

3rd & Colorado

lzppjb · #**4040** Posted **May 28, 2017, 3:52 AM**

Thanks. Hard to keep up.