AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 397

ahealy · #**7921** Posted **Sep 17, 2010, 5:55 PM**

..ok, someone had to do it.

KevinFromTexas · #**7922** Posted **Sep 18, 2010, 10:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookem

Does anyone know what the 2 small cranes are for at the corner of Riverside and South First (basically in front of the Long Center). Is it some kind of new sign/marquee?

Email sent and answer received:

Quote:

Kevin,

The cranes located at the corner of Riverside Drive and South First Street (inside the fenced in area) are being used in conjunction with part of the City of Austin’s Downtown Wastewater Tunnel Project (the much needed tunnel running along the south side of Ladybird Lake will add additional capacity to the current wastewater system infrastructure). Excavation and construction begin on the project in April, 2010 and is not expected to be completed until February 2012.

Thank you so much for your inquiry and support of the Long Center!

hookem · #**7923** Posted **Sep 18, 2010, 4:15 PM**

Interesting. Thanks Kevin!

priller · #**7924** Posted **Sep 18, 2010, 7:36 PM**

They are putting up the pedestrian bridge over Cesar Chavez this weekend. Had to go into work (again) today got stuck in traffic they were redirecting around it. No, I didn't have my camera (sorry).

StoOgE · #**7925** Posted **Sep 19, 2010, 12:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by priller

They are putting up the pedestrian bridge over Cesar Chavez this weekend. Had to go into work (again) today got stuck in traffic they were redirecting around it. No, I didn't have my camera (sorry).

Nice, I got running around there and could tell it was coming shortly. That entire area of downtown is so much nicer. Once the water treatment and power plants are redone in the next 5 years or so that whole area will really open up the lake to downtown.

wwmiv · #**7926** Posted **Sep 19, 2010, 6:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

Nice, I got running around there and could tell it was coming shortly. That entire area of downtown is so much nicer. Once the water treatment and power plants are redone in the next 5 years or so that whole area will really open up the lake to downtown.

Speaking of that area and those projects, is there any news?

KevinFromTexas · #**7927** Posted **Sep 19, 2010, 6:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Speaking of that area and those projects, is there any news?

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=185132

ahealy · #**7928** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 5:21 AM**

New W lights...
Courtesy of my friend Matt.

nixcity · #**7929** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 12:17 PM**

^Looks he got the moon with Jupiter right there too. It looks like those lights are near the base???

KevinFromTexas · #**7930** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 4:00 PM**

Wow. Great pic! It looks like those lights are above and below that notch in the building above the podium area, about 10 floors up.

hookem · #**7931** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 5:50 PM**

Very rainbow looking... I assume it's just a component of an overall lighting scheme. Will be interesting to see how it all comes together.

migol24 · #**7932** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookem

Very rainbow looking... I assume it's just a component of an overall lighting scheme. Will be interesting to see how it all comes together.

yeah, i'm not digging the rainbow look myself. there's too much color already with the monarch and austonian. but maybe i'm wrong... it might look cool when it comes together.

WAustinResident · #**7933** Posted **Sep 23, 2010, 11:41 PM**

New numbers are out on the bulidings.

Four Seasons. 52%
Austonian 39%
W Hotel 53%

I know I'm biased towards the W since I'm moving in there. But I had the same issue with the Austonian, sagging sales. I think of these 3 blindings it could be the most likely to have problems, maybe turn into rentals. It is also the only one without a hotel attached.

The W is also impressive because it is the only one still under construction.

What are your opinions on these three bulidnings?

Jdawgboy · #**7934** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 12:12 AM**

I love the multi colors that the new buildings are having, I think it makes the skyline much more impressive with changing colors instead of bland white or single shaded colors. I think there is an overall feeling in downtown to get multicolored lighting, even older buildings have updated their lighting. It makes downtown feel warm and colorful at night. As far as the Austonian being only 39 percent I would say give it some more time. I would assume it will pick up with sales within the next 4 months.

KevinFromTexas · #**7935** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 1:50 AM**

The Four Seasons Residences is all residential. The hotel is next door in a building that was built in 1987.

I'm partial to The Austonian, but only because it's one of the few buildings in downtown that I can see around my neighborhood. I do really like the W, though. Right now, I think it's a three way tie between The Austonian, the W and 360.

migol24 · #**7936** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 4:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

New numbers are out on the bulidings.

Four Seasons. 52%
Austonian 39%
W Hotel 53%

I know I'm biased towards the W since I'm moving in there. But I had the same issue with the Austonian, sagging sales. I think of these 3 blindings it could be the most likely to have problems, maybe turn into rentals. It is also the only one without a hotel attached.

The W is also impressive because it is the only one still under construction.

What are your opinions on these three bulidnings?

I prefer the W at street level, but I prefer the Austonian at skyline level. uhhhh.... no comment on Four Seasons.

hookem · #**7937** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 6:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

But I had the same issue with the Austonian, sagging sales. I think of these 3 blindings it could be the most likely to have problems, maybe turn into rentals. It is also the only one without a hotel attached.

The Austonian become rentals? I'd say that's about the least likely thing to happen. First, it's built with European money... they aren't looking for the quick turnaround like some US lenders were. They are OK with being in it for the long hall... like they are with the toll roads. Second, the units are huge. They'd have to really fiddle with the floorplans to make units people would rent. There isn't a big rental market for the really huge expensive apartments. The people who could afford those types of rents typically buy instead.

Finally, the Austonian offers something that no other building can -- it's the tallest and most prominent building in Austin. And nothing is in the works that will rival it anytime soon. That particular prestige cannot be duplicated by any current building, at any price.

And if you think having the a hotel component guarantees a successful condo building... just read up on the 555.

Downtown_Austin · #**7938** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

New numbers are out on the bulidings.

Four Seasons. 52%
Austonian 39%
W Hotel 53%

Please source

migol24 · #**7939** Posted **Sep 24, 2010, 8:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

Please source

Assuming that Austintowers.com has their facts straight....

http://austintowers.net/Austin_Downtown/index.html

WAustinResident · #**7940** Posted **Sep 25, 2010, 7:28 PM**

I think what it came down to for me was first 360 and spring didn't have the level of finish I was looking for.

That left me with Austonian, Four Seasons and W.

The four seasons felt too stuffy. I'm still in my 20's and I'm not ready to spend my nights at the hotel piano bar. They did offer the most sq footage for the price, and the biggest patios.

The Austonian, while the tallest building, the price increase per floor is staggering. I would have been in a unit near the bottom of the building, just overlooking the pool deck. Not ideal

The W allowed me to live on the highest floor for the price, thus giving better views at a lower price point. It has a better energy, and having the hotel there is great for guests, which I have many. Austonian has just 3 guest suites which almost seemed like maid's quarters to me.