Texas Capitol Complex & North Austin Complex Projects Update Thread

[Echostatic]

I'm glad this phase has no new above-ground parking, but the height is a bit disappointing and 2.5k underground spots seems like serious overkill (unless the state wants to replace its garages on Trinity...) At least the new buildings look quite nice, and more pedestrian space is good news.

[Sigaven]

Floor-to-ceiling windows will flood the space with daylight, supporting the health and wellness of occupants while embodying the welcoming spirit of Texans.

God there is nothing more annoying than architect BS speak lol.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Sigaven

God there is nothing more annoying than architect BS speak lol.

The only thing working for them in this is that since they're building for the State, they didn't include anything about keeping Austin weird.

[austlar1]

Almost every state employee I know here in Austin (admittedly I only know a few) is WFH almost every work day. I wonder whether the state really needs all the new square footage that is about to come on line.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by austlar1

Almost every state employee I know here in Austin (admittedly I only know a few) is WFH almost every work day. I wonder whether the state really needs all the new square footage that is about to come on line.

Upgraded modern space that consolidates in-person services and accommodates co-working space and work-from-home infrastructure so that they can, for instance, take offline some of the crappy architecture both in the CC and throughout the city and multiple of their parking garages is a big plus. I hope the state continues with the current master plan.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Upgraded modern space that consolidates in-person services and accommodates co-working space and work-from-home infrastructure so that they can, for instance, take offline some of the crappy architecture both in the CC and throughout the city and multiple of their parking garages is a big plus. I hope the state continues with the current master plan.

Part of the vision for these new buildings was that they should replace leased office space around the city, but, as for the rest, I'm not so sure that's exactly what the state planners had in mind. They expected these buildings (and the massive new garage space) to be fully occupied with state workers. I don't have a horse in this race. I am simply pointing out that because of WFH, even with office consolidation, there will soon be an oversupply of state offices in Austin, one that will likely mirror the oversupply in the pipeline for commercial office space in the city.

[Atom_Mirny]

My wife has had 3 different state jobs since 2020. Of those groups today; one is 100% WFH, one goes in to the office once a week and the last goes in twice a week.

[Atom_Mirny]

The state is being more generous with WFH as a way to compete with private sector employers. Most people who work with my wife work there because of the WFH policy.

[myBrain]

https://austin.towers.net/downtown-a...dbOqc8XUcd7aSk

[MichaelB]

Minor FYI.... 16th-17th street is still closed off. 17- MLK is open.

[IluvATX]

Is it just my OCD, or does the mall slant in relation to the capitol?

[H2O]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Is it just my OCD, or does the mall slant in relation to the capitol?

The whole city slants in relation to the capitol. It sits on top of a hill. Think how much MLK slopes from Lavaca to Trinity. The only way it could have been perfectly level would be to eliminate all cross streets and have stairs either side.

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by H2O

The whole city slants in relation to the capitol. It sits on top of a hill. Think how much MLK slopes from Lavaca to Trinity. The only way it could have been perfectly level would be to eliminate all cross streets and have stairs either side.

I think I would’ve preferred that scenario.

[Syndic]

Something something joke about Austin leaning left.

[valhalla]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

I think I would’ve preferred that scenario.

whats weird is they dug everything up when building the underground parking garage so they intentionally put the slant back lol. A level mall with a slight retaining wall on one side or the other would have made more sense

[SproutingTowers]

The Texas Mall brings out the beauty of the State Capital.

[Riverranchdrone]

Great pictures. That capital mall looks great. I will have to check it out.

[resansom]

Yes, thanks for the pictures. I hadn't realized how narrow that mall - the grass part - really is. From the renderings, I got the impression it was larger/wider... I'm an expatriate, living in CA for decades, now. I miss my home town and have forgotten little details, like how narrow that corridor was/is...

[IluvATX]

Maybe it’s just me, but the slant to the left is killing me.

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Maybe it’s just me, but the slant to the left is killing me.

I was wondering when someone was going to mention that.