Austin | Block 185/Google Tower #2 | 594 Feet | 35 Floors | Complete

[GoldenBoot]

So...why is this one U/C and Thompson/Tommie (5th & Brazos) not?

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

This one is under construction, according to the conditions here on SSP:

It is? Where are the caissons? Where are the pilings? Have they finished digging for the foundation?

I don't understand the rush to post this as U/C when they are still in the process of digging the foundation for the garage.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

So...why is this one U/C and Thompson/Tommie (5th & Brazos) not?

They are not using diaphragm wall construction. The only other project in the history of Austin (as far as I know) to use diaphragm wall construction other than Block 185 is the Marriott. That project was also labeled as U/C when diaphragm wall construction started.

[The ATX]

Here's another explanation.

No cement has been poured for the 5th & Brazos project thus no construction has taken place.

Cement has been poured for the Block 185 project, and the walls for the parking structure are U/C.

Kevin posted a couple of helpful links explaining slurry/diaphragm wall construction.

EDIT: The "Top down" construction referred to in Urbannizer's post is a.k.a. diaphragm/slurry wall construction.

[The ATX]

A bunch of FAA permits for Austin (over 20) were recently filed including the height of the Block 185 tower:

SE corner of roof: 517'
NE corner of roof: 514'
SW corner of crown: 581'
NW corner of crown: 550'

It may have lost 8' if these numbers were pulled from the unreleased final elevations.

[odelayjb]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

It is? Where are the caissons? Where are the pilings? Have they finished digging for the foundation?

I don't understand the rush to post this as U/C when they are still in the process of digging the foundation for the garage.

I kept thinking there have been meaningful updates to this project, only to confirm it is merely a definition of "Under Construction" conniption by GoldenBoot. Please stop, Mr. Boot.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by The ATX

A bunch of FAA permits for Austin (over 20) were recently filed including the height of the Block 185 tower:

SE corner of roof: 517'
NE corner of roof: 514'
SW corner of crown: 581'
NW corner of crown: 550'

It may have lost 8' if these numbers were pulled from the unreleased final elevations.

Depends on what they are taking the height from - average adjacent grade (which is usual) or from the lowest point on the tower (which is what height is usually measured by here on SSP I think)

[lzppjb]

From 3/6


KaiserSoze on surlyhorns

[zrx299]

They had lights on at the site last night. I didn't get a good look as I was driving on Cesar Chavez, so I couldn't tell if any work was going on or if it was just for nighttime security.

[KevinFromTexas]

Eros Alzamora - https://www.facebook.com/independent...type=3&theater

[clubtokyo]

This building will complement the butterfly bridge 🦋

[kingkirbythe....]

I’ve always thought it looked like sad McDonald’s.

[The ATX]

The backup file was posted to the Design Commission site, and there are no renderings! I don't ever recall that happening before for a Design Commission presentation. I wonder what the secret is? But they are using these elevations.


http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=316652

[The ATX]

It does state in the backup file that the original Greenwater development agreement with the city provided for the FAR increase. So they do not need a density bonus from the Design Commission. That is probably why they skimped on details and renderings. But I don't know why they would then be showing anything to the Design Commission in that case.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, I was a little bummed there weren't any renderings. At least there were some elevations. The heights for this were a little iffy, and we weren't sure what design they were going with. If that's what they presented, then it must be the most current.

One thing I'm noticing on the south facade is those area balconies up against the west wall of the tower. If that's the case, it would make lighting maintenance pretty easy I would think. That could allow for the possibility of some LED "ribbon lighting" up that southwest corner of the tower up to the crown/blade. I'm also assuming they'll light that blade with some floodlights.

[myBrain]

Looks like there might be angled cuts on the south-east setback corners? That could help minimize the bulk some were concerned with from that angle.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by ahealy

From Towers:





https://austin.towers.net/finally-we...-office-tower/

Unfortunately, the elevations more closely match the above renderings (although not perfectly), which means the building was value engineered down from this masterpiece:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Here's a more refined rendering:


https://www.trammellcrow.com/-/media..._mm_office.pdf

[GoldenBoot]

Actually, I disagree. Based on the elevations in the Design Commission presentation, the five transition levels/"green" cutouts no longer exist. This would be the most current rendering:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

https://www.trammellcrow.com/-/media..._mm_office.pdf

[GoldenBoot]

Older elevations with transition levels - broken western façade:



New elevations without transition levels - smoother "sail" western façade:

[wwmiv]

Hmm. That's a really important detail that I missed. Perhaps you're right.