AUSTIN | The Bowie | 423 FT | 37 FLOORS | Complete

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

From Austin Central Library webcam today.

What is that on top of The Bowie? Antennas?

There's an antenna mast atop the Seaholm building.

You can see it here in OtherKevin's photo. Click the photo for a larger version.

Originally Posted by OtherKevin

I have been thinking the same thing! GreenWater already has their crane up, so what about the library?

Then I wake up to this today:

[The ATX]

They should be jacking the Seaholm crane momentarily I would think. I'm surprised they have waited this long.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Photo by Hunter Pontious Photography) - https://www.facebook.com/theAustinot/pho...5492199./875480815810510/?type=3&theater

Great find there Kevin.

[KevinFromTexas]

I saw the top of the Bowie's lights tonight from South Congress way down there just a little bit north of Slaughter. We were coming back from dinner at the Texas Roadhouse and it was clearly visible dead center on the street.

[GoldenBoot]

Man...that gap in the lighting is just downright odd! Someone in some office actually said: "Yeah, that looks great. Let's do it."

[NYC2ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I saw the top of the Bowie's lights tonight from South Congress way down there just a little bit north of Slaughter. We were coming back from dinner at the Texas Roadhouse and it was clearly visible dead center on the street.

Only slightly off topic but I can't help but imagine that you'd be able to spot whatever goes up on the ECC site clear as day from the same spot, which is perfect when you think of how both Frost and the Austonian frame the view from closer in on Congress

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by NYC2ATX

Only slightly off topic but I can't help but imagine that you'd be able to spot whatever goes up on the ECC site clear as day from the same spot, which is perfect when you think of how both Frost and the Austonian frame the view from closer in on Congress

Oh, I'm sure there are going to be some spots where you can see it. There are several places in our neighborhood where 360 shows up prominently, and a couple where it's the only building that does because of the narrow view due to the trees. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that building should show up there. One spot where this will no doubt show up is along South First Street between William Cannon and Stassney. Sometimes in the late afternoon the sun reflects off of 360 and it's like a torch at the end of South First along there.

I doubt there's any chance I'll be able to see this from our street, even though the angle is right and the height would probably allow it, but I'm thinking the tree canopy will block it. There are several places where 360 shows up laterally to our street. I can see The Austonian from the bottom of our street.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Oh, I'm sure there are going to be some spots where you can see it. There are several places in our neighborhood where 360 shows up prominently, and a couple where it's the only building that does because of the narrow view due to the trees. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that building should show up there. One spot where this will no doubt show up is along South First Street between William Cannon and Stassney. Sometimes in the late afternoon the sun reflects off of 360 and it's like a torch at the end of South First along there.

I doubt there's any chance I'll be able to see this from our street, even though the angle is right and the height would probably allow it, but I'm thinking the tree canopy will block it. There are several places where 360 shows up laterally to our street. I can see The Austonian from the bottom of our street.

I used to be able to see part of DT just by walking into the street from my driveway until someone decided it was okay to place a huge new billboard up that just happens to block the entire view and that is so prominent it looks like it's massive and hangs over the end of our street. I'm not sure who let's Lamar advertising place billboards, and honestly I thought that there were city ordinances on where they can place them. All I know is had they put it up just 10 or 15 feet to the left, it wouldn't have blocked the view.

[KevinFromTexas]

^Yeah, I saw that last month actually. I was riding through your neighborhood and saw it. I was disappointed to see it blocking the view.

[MightyYoda]

All horizontal lights are now lit up. Wondering if they will continue the lighting at the top to accentuate the angle. It looks decent now. Hoping that it can change colors and they continue to add more, but it no longer looks bad at all.

[Kotliz]

Originally Posted by MightyYoda

All horizontal lights are now lit up. Wondering if they will continue the lighting at the top to accentuate the angle. It looks decent now. Hoping that it can change colors and they continue to add more, but it no longer looks bad at all.

Yeah, I caught this shot of the Bowie last night about 6:10. you can see the lighting quite well. Also, Marriott has its sign lit up. Looks neat (I didn't edit the image, the lettering looks that bright).


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[KevinFromTexas]

Nice photos. I definitely think it looks best from the southeast corner and from up close on that side. Nice catch with the JW Marriott signs. I love that view through there. It's been one of the ones I've been watching get better and better. I love the layers to it with all the different facades meshing together. It's almost like a collage of our skyline.

[mars-man]

Anyone but me find themselves (in their heads, at least) pronouncing this one the BOH-ee as in David, rather than the BOO-ee, as in Jim, the Texas historical figure whose name graces the street, knife, etc.?

It would be fun if they could play with that a little with some subtle stardust-y effects for the crown lighting. Kind of like the lost, lamented Stardust Hotel & Casino sign in Vegas. Except, you know, way up top and not quite so garish.

[Tech House]

Originally Posted by mars-man

Anyone but me find themselves (in their heads, at least) pronouncing this one the BOH-ee as in David, rather than the BOO-ee, as in Jim, the Texas historical figure whose name graces the street, knife, etc.?

It never even occurred to me that it might be pronounce the same as "buoy" and, come to think of it, I don't believe I ever knew that Jim Bowie's name wasn't pronounced the same as David Bowie's. Y'all are just friggin weird here with your mispronunciations of Guadalupe, Manchaca, Burnet, Pedernales, etc. I've been here 24 years and still can't get 'em all right. I refuse to say "Purdunallez" but have caved on most of the others. Bowie is Boh-wee to me, ain't no buoys around here although it's situated pretty close to a lake. Hmm, maybe I'll take to callin it the Bowie as in "rhymes with Maui!" "Austin" could conceivably be pronounced "Osteen."

[KevinFromTexas]

Since Bowie is a proper name it can be pronounced however the "owner" of the name pronounces it; in this case the parents of Jim Bowie and David Bowie.

The funny thing is Jim Bowie was closer to being English than modern day Texans are by lineage, so it may be the case that Jim Bowie really did pronounce his name just as David Bowie pronounces his. While Bowie was born in Kentucky, his parents were almost certainly born in England and Scotland (he was half Scottish).

That said, I do distinctly remember it being pronounced and taught as 'boo-wee' when I was in school.

[Jdawgboy]

Okay the south side is lit up along the balconies, but what about the east facing corner? The gap is still there looking from I-35. They need to light the east face of the balconies as well.

[KevinFromTexas]

And the angled roof. Come on guys, step it up!

[MTM-ATX]

I spoke to the GC today about the exterior lighting. Unfortunately, they can't change color. White is all we get.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by MTM-ATX

I spoke to the GC today about the exterior lighting. Unfortunately, they can't change color. White is all we get.

Boooooo

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Okay the south side is lit up along the balconies, but what about the east facing corner? The gap is still there looking from I-35. They need to light the east face of the balconies as well.

And then there is the west side of the building which is not lit and does not stand out at all at night because it is so close to Monarch and the other tall slender condo tower. Actually it does not even stand out very well in daylight from that angle except for its height. They really need to work on some decent lighting for all sides of the building.