Austin | 6G | 874 Feet | 65 Floors | Complete

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Thanks MichaelB. Its the 3rd one I lost in the last 5 months. She's buried next to the others in a really nice grave site in my yard. I still have seven more aging dogs to care for. I may or may not have lost her if the vets were open yesterday. She was scheduled to go in at 7 this morning, she died at 5:45am.
Sorry for the off topic guys.

Sorry to learn that you lost a dog today. I think it is amazing that you care for so many dogs. I have four big ones, all about 6 or 7 years old. I'm hoping I can outlive them (I'm 72) because I hate the idea of a senior dog becoming homeless. Thank you for being there for your dogs, and, once again, my condolences for your loss.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by austlar1

Sorry to learn that you lost a dog today. I think it is amazing that you care for so many dogs. I have four big ones, all about 6 or 7 years old. I'm hoping I can outlive them (I'm 72) because I hate the idea of a senior dog becoming homeless. Thank you for being there for your dogs, and, once again, my condolences for your loss.

Thank you austlar1, and likewise.
Mine are all between 8 and 11.
I want to thank everyone for tolerating this off topic. It means a lot to me especially after such a sucky start to the day.

[the Genral]

    
Interesting and rational imo.

 
SkyscraperPage Forum > User Control Panel > Private Messages > Inbox
Re: Better as one?

Quote:
Originally Posted by George_Blume
Isn’t there something fascinating in the tower being an expression of its boldness? Flying in the face of the odds? This is 2 towers stacked. This is rarely achieved in this country. Especially in Austin. Why should it be expressed as one? It should obviously be harmonious, but it shouldn’t be forced into a single expression. That’s a lie. Also the geometry of office has no business being the geometry of residential. And vice versa. That would never work spatially or functionally.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

"No" and "No." As long as the overall design is within current statutes, they cannot do much to it - as far as I remember. The commission is more of a bureaucratic formality.

I believe you are correct! .... and thank god...... No matter how much I may not like a design , I would never want a "aesthetic police".( as much as I would love to be! LOL! )
That is a double edged sword sure to create harm eventually. !

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Thank you Kevin and We Vs Us. They are more than just dogs, they are unconditional love.

Don't know if this is already known, but Mr. Blume shared this with me...
They are currently at 25% CD. Can someone tell me what that means please. They go before the city's Design Commission in 4 weeks, and submit for building permit by October.
I'll share a few other interesting things he discussed with me later. I'll tell ya, the way he explained things to me won me over. And for discussion on the Third + Shoal thread, he said there are things about that building he would have preferred to have been done differently, and was surprised none of us picked up on that. He said he would fill me in on what he meant later, but that leaves us the opportunity to guess what he means by that.

Re: 3rd and Shoal.... also from his instagram:
"She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts. We made a lot of special modifications ourselves."..... a metaphorical quote from Star Wars.

[the Genral]

So this is why I'm basically won over. This is pretty cool feedback and I was honored he took the time, several times to contact me and allowed me to share this because I thought ya'll might be interested. The only reason he mentioned a 900 footer is because I mentioned I'd like to see one so don't read into his mention of it other than that.
  
 
Private Message: Re: Better as one?
 
Posted Yesterday, 8:08 PM
George_Blume
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 0

Re: Better as one?

I’m actually not keen on bragging about the height personally. I think it’s entirely possible someone could be working on a 900 footer as I type this. We just don’t know about it. This town is very secretive.

If I start bragging about 840, then someone could easily one up me with their 900 footer. Our team would be humiliated. My point is you never know. So don’t lose hope.

In my observation and experience, no one seeks out the opportunity to build the tallest building. There’s a lot of risk. The only way to make it happen is for the developer to confidently believe they have a program they can finance and ultimately lease or sell. That’s how 6th + Guadalupe started. No one in the room said our goal was to build the tallest. That was simply a by-product bragging right. Ownership actually believes they can lease this quantity of product at that site.

We are currently at 25% CDs. There are 8 people from Gensler alone who work full time on the project. That doesn’t include consultants. It goes to the city’s Design Commission in 4 weeks. We submit for building permit by October.

By the way, you should know that Third+Shoal is also my project. I’m well aware of how this forum assesses that project. There are several reasons why it is what it is. I actually regret many notable details about that project, and yet ironically, no one from this forum has ever picked up on those lost opportunities. Maybe one day I’ll share them.

Till next time. GB

[The ATX]

I didn't quote the posts that raised the questions...

The purpose of the Design Commission is to approve density bonuses that allow for the increased FAR that tall buildings need. They have a checklist of guidelines to go through, like Great Streets for example, to determine if a project is in substantial compliance of the guidelines required for the density bonus. Sometimes they act more like design police than they really are. 405 Colorado was in substantial compliance of the guidelines but didn't get approval from the commission because of the over sized parking garage. So Brandywine went over their heads so to speak and got administrative approval.

The planned October construction permit filings does not mean a delay. It probably means they expect the site plan to be approved by then. Obtaining the actual construction permits after the site plan is approved is a quick process.

[Oraclelp]

Hi All!

Been viewing this area for years, finally got a chance to register and login. Regarding 600 Guadalupe, it is nice for Mr. Bloom to comment and weigh in. I agree with the two building comments on being rather rare and unique, but IMHO the two buildings must not only be compatible, but should relate to each other as well. The bottom 'building' really appears to be nothing but a prettied up, extended garage podium. And it sure does seem like the earlier versions were much, much better.

I will continue to hope for the architectural best for beloved city. I really have enjoyed the camaraderie of this group, and I will strive to become a worthy member.

Oraclelp

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Oraclelp

Hi All!

Been viewing this area for years, finally got a chance to register and login. Regarding 600 Guadalupe, it is nice for Mr. Bloom to comment and weigh in. I agree with the two building comments on being rather rare and unique, but IMHO the two buildings must not only be compatible, but should relate to each other as well. The bottom 'building' really appears to be nothing but a prettied up, extended garage podium. And it sure does seem like the earlier versions were much, much better.

I will continue to hope for the architectural best for beloved city. I really have enjoyed the camaraderie of this group, and I will strive to become a worthy member.

Oraclelp

Welcome Oraclelp.
If you are saying that the office portion is comparable to the podium only prettied up, then that's probably one of the nicer podiums downtown. I think we need to start celebrating the uniqueness of this building and its inherent height, and hope someday well get that one tall sleek tower I think most of us here have been waiting for. If you look at what's already built, there is really nothing that is rare and original, no not even the Indie, that you couldn't find something similar in any city USA. This one is different which is why I'm on board with it. I'm not crazy about the long narrow vertical bump out, but then, I'm almost never totally happy with anything.

[George_Blume]

The building permit process now has an expedited version for projects with residential uses. It streamlines the process to a 6-8 week turnaround. I suspect Extended Stay is continuing to book rooms as a backup strategy. Why stop until you really must? It’s also more than likely the local management of ESA isn’t even aware of any forthcoming redevelopment.

[Oraclelp]

Thank you, Genral.

I will agree, it is definitely the prettiest podium, especially compared to the 405 Colorado monstrosity. I do like the upper tower portion, I just think it would be nice for the lower tower portion to have some kind of tie in that really links the two together (so that it looks like the two sections really belong to each other). The original renderings of this seemed to be so much more striking than the current ones. However, I will say overall this is incrementally better than most of what we've been getting, and as far as height goes substantially better.

My caveat to all of this, of course, is I can only imagine the limits and constraints posed by the budget and the developers' wishes. So I'm ultimately thankful for this new tower, and it will no doubt look very impressive once completed.

[urbancore]

Welcome welcome welcome fellas!

Great to hear from you both.

Now, if the mods would call us together for happy hour..... at minimum, I got round one......maximum, I’ll host it at my new house! I vote for my crib. Just say when.

Cheers

[hookem]

Welcome George and OracleLP!

(I am truly in awe of this forum and this building. Wow. That is all.)

... except also wanted to express my sympathies to you Genral about your dog. I know from experience how hard it is, but I’m sure if she had the choice of spending her last moments at home or in a vets office, she would have overwhelmingly picked the former.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by hookem

Welcome George and OracleLP!

(I am truly in awe of this forum and this building. Wow. That is all.)

... except also wanted to express my sympathies to you Genral about your dog. I know from experience how hard it is, but I’m sure if she had the choice of spending her last moments at home or in a vets office, she would have overwhelmingly picked the former.

Thank you hookem. If she would have made it through the night, she would have most likely been euthanized at the vet today like the two prior. She was really sick, and almost 13. I took her to the ER but prognosis was poor. They suggested euthanizing her, but I wasn't ready to let go. They said it was selfish of me. She died peacefully in the warmth and comfort of my bed next to me and spared me from making that final decision. Apparently we have quite a few dog lovers on this forum and bighearted. Actually they go hand in hand. You guys helped me get through a very difficult and sad day.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Not at all. In fact, I have been pm'ing with GB and have some insightful information he was sharing with me and gave me permission to share with this forum. But first I have to finish burying my dog who passed away this morning. Just tidying up her grave site after a short break. Stay tuned.

I too am very sorry about your dog. My dog sends his love.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by George_Blume

The building permit process now has an expedited version for projects with residential uses. It streamlines the process to a 6-8 week turnaround. I suspect Extended Stay is continuing to book rooms as a backup strategy. Why stop until you really must? It’s also more than likely the local management of ESA isn’t even aware of any forthcoming redevelopment.

Thank you for participating. It is appreciated.

[Sigaven]

I agree that since the building is two functions stacked one on top of the other, their individual functions should be expressed. I think it's nicely done and makes for an interesting building.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by JACKinBeantown

I too am very sorry about your dog. My dog sends his love.

Thank You JACKinBeantown and your dog too

[ToTheSky]

Originally Posted by George_Blume

The building permit process now has an expedited version for projects with residential uses. It streamlines the process to a 6-8 week turnaround. I suspect Extended Stay is continuing to book rooms as a backup strategy. Why stop until you really must? It’s also more than likely the local management of ESA isn’t even aware of any forthcoming redevelopment.

Yay! George Blume on SSP, welcome! Love 600 Guad!

[lzppjb]

Great to see GB and General back. Also nice to see a new user join the fray.

I might be down with a hangout at Dcbrickley's.