AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 293

brianpm14 · #**5841** Posted **Jul 17, 2009, 7:55 PM**

Page Southerland Page designed the Westech 360 building, I was working there at the time. Two memories of that project. The structural engineers has a devil of a time figuring out how much support to put in the building to hold up the giant "check mark". The artwork was a late addition to the building, I believe it was added while the building was under construction. It made a interesting solution to making the building stand out without violating any city sign ordinances, don't think art counts as a "sign". Secondly, that building was being completed during one of Austin's famous building slumps, the architect firm came close to being the owner of the building when some problems with the fire suppression system almost delayed the issuance of the certificate of occupancy by the City of Austin.

On W Hotel, looks like they are going to leave the yellow crane, both cranes have shorty booms on them now, and neither will reach the entire structure at this point. Will see if they "leap frog" the two cranes up the structure. They are delivering metal studs today, should start on exterior wall partitions next week.

priller · #**5842** Posted **Jul 17, 2009, 8:55 PM**

Hey, thanks for the news! Always good to hear from one of the pros.

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5843** Posted **Jul 17, 2009, 9:16 PM**

Ya. It's a good thing to hear from the pros.
Any new pictures/update of 'round downtown?

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5844** Posted **Jul 17, 2009, 9:25 PM**

New post on The Austonian Blog.

July 16, 2009

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The Austonian Continues to Climb High Above Downtown Austin

This week, downtown Austin condo project The Austonian poured Level 53, taking the building to a level only three stories shy of the top floor, which is home to the Fitness Center. Construction of the luxury condo project continues to be on target, with the structure topping out in fall 2009.
Interior finish-out is taking place, with flooring, door frames and stone going into individual condo units.
The following photograph of the downtown Austin skyline depicts the building’s progress.
Monarch.............360 Condominiums.......The Austonian.....100 Congress..San Jacinto Center

............Spring............................AMLI II...................Ashton..........Four Seasons Residences
Level 53 of the Austonian from a few days ago.

Okay. SkyscraperPage Diagrams lists the Ashton as "built". Is this correct?

KevinFromTexas · #**5845** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 6:47 AM**

Some random shots from over the last month.

6/20.

6/24.

7/16.

From behind the Specs Liquor & Best Buy at Texas 71 & Mopac in SW Austin.

Mopacs · #**5846** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 4:13 PM**

Thanks for the pics Kevin. It's great to see the Ausonian popping up from so many vantage points.

Here are my contributions for this week...from the westside of Austin (7/16):

Jester Estates Blvd...

The following are from Shepherd Mountain

This was taken from the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse (a few blocks south of 620 and Comanche Trail)

This is a little farther out, in the Steiner Ranch area. Austonian is the only downtown building visible. The large houses on the ridge are in Davenport Ranch, above Loop 360.

Scottolini · #**5847** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 6:08 PM**

Bravo!

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5848** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 8:23 PM**

Hello everybody! I an finally out of the airplane. First I got a good look of Austin from the sky, then went to Chicago to see the Willis Tower, and now here I am in Annandale, VA.

Thanks for the pictures everybody!

KevinFromTexas · #**5849** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 8:29 PM**

Beautiful shots.

That skyline view behind the Specs Liquor has been there for a long time. You can also see Dobie, UT Tower and other UT buildings from there, but now with the taller buildings to the south, there's a second grouping above the trees. I had been meaning to get a photo from there for a while, I just kept forgetting it was there. Haha

Mopacs · #**5850** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 9:04 PM**

Thanks guys!

Kevin... be sure to check out the Gaines Ranch overpass at Mopac (just around the corner from Specs). Its a really nice view of the Barton Creek greenbelt/valley, and the skyline above. Here's my most recent shot, from last month:

priller · #**5851** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 9:40 PM**

Great photos everyone. The view from Jester is great, I haven't seen that one before. Thanks!

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5852** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 10:19 PM**

Love that view over the Gaines Ranch overpass. I see it every week, except for this one now that I am in Virginia.

tgbAustinite · #**5853** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 11:47 PM**

great shots guys. i love all the different vantage points. thank you.

Strayone · #**5854** Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 11:53 PM**

I don't dislike the 4 Seasons but I don't think it will ever look like it is a finished design. I don't recall the renders showing such open air balconies. They will be great for the residents but it looks like scaffolding is engulfing the building.

Oh well nice pics everyone.

Hey any idea if the crown of the Austonian will be started before it tops out or is it surely the last part of the building to go up?

tgbAustinite · #**5855** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 1:49 AM**

[QUOTE=Strayone;4364869]I don't dislike the 4 Seasons but I don't think it will ever look like it is a finished design. I don't recall the renders showing such open air balconies. They will be great for the residents but it looks like scaffolding is engulfing the building.

they haven't installed the glass portions to the balconies yet, leaving it with that unfinished, scaffolding look. i think once they do install it, it won't look as open and airy, at least not from a ground level perspective. but, that's just my opinion.

i'm really starting to like how it's shaping up.

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5856** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 2:23 AM**

Out of all renderings of this boom, Four Seasons seems the most realistic.

austin242 · #**5857** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 6:08 PM**

To me the monarch is the one that looks like it has scaffolding all over it.

Mopacs · #**5858** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 8:55 PM**

Here are two points of comparison, over the course of 7 years. This should really put the building boom of this decade into perspective.

Gaines Ranch overpass:

2009

2002

Shepherd Mountain

2009

2002

AustinSkyscrapers · #**5859** Posted **Jul 19, 2009, 9:53 PM**

What a change in the skyline. What I would never forget.

jowens · #**5860** Posted **Jul 20, 2009, 2:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Here are two points of comparison, over the course of 7 years. This should really put the building boom of this decade into perspective.

Gaines Ranch overpass:

2009

2002

Going over the Barton Creek Greenbelt is my daily commute. The skyline transformation from this vantage point has been very intriguing.