Hyatt Place | 207 FT | 17 Floors | U/C | T.O.

[the Genral]

Hyatt Place itself is the right size and adds nice density where it sits. Its design would look better in a more rural setting such or along I35 or maybe even as a beach resort or near an airport where it stands alone. I think its minor architectural elements will get lost from a street level. That's why the Hampton Inn next door fits in better. Its bland from top to bottom so you're not missing anything looking at it from below.

[MightyYoda]

I would wait to see it finished before writing it off. Most of the pre-fab and the windows are just in place and haven't had anything done to them yet.

[KevinFromTexas]

From the Ann Richards/congress Avenue Bridge near the American-Statesman.

It's really too bad the 21C tower wasn't built on that Whitley block north of Hyatt Place. That tower would have filled the gap perfectly between One Congress Plaza and San Jacinto Center.

[wwmiv]

This actually looks pretty impressive from 35 while passing northbound between Cesar Chavez and 5th/6th. Very dense area, which is nice.

[corvairkeith]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

It's really too bad the 21C tower wasn't built on that Whitley block north of Hyatt Place. That tower would have filled the gap perfectly between One Congress Plaza and San Jacinto Center.

I think the Railyard Condos just North of the Whitley development have outlived their relevance I wouldn't be surprised if they are razed at some point in the future and something much taller were put in their place.

[Downtown_Austin]

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

I think the Railyard Condos just North of the Whitley development have outlived their relevance I wouldn't be surprised if they are razed at some point in the future and something much taller were put in their place.

Truth. Complicated since it's a condominium (ie. multiple owners)

I've had recent discussions with Railyard owners and they are updating their condo docs to facilitate this (looking way into the future) such that one of the two Railyard buildings could enter into negotiation with the right developer with the right offer. Same with Villas on Town Lake, btw.

Only 80% of the HOA voting interest would need to vote to dissolve the HOA. At that point, those interested in selling to the developer will, and those that don't will end up moving out as governance and maintenance and services go away.

The developer would need to offer a significant premium to the owners over market price. It would be a messy process with likely lawsuits, but that's my simplified understanding of how it could work...

[The ATX]

How did the sale and demolition of the part of the Railyards go for the portion that was demolished for the convention center expansion? Were they rental units back then or did eminent domain make it an easier process?

[KevinFromTexas]

I noticed tonight that the crane was down for Hyatt Place.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I noticed tonight that the crane was down for Hyatt Place.

now if someone could just take the building down!

OuCH!

[corvairkeith]

As Kevin pointed out the crane is down and most of the glass is up. It's looking pretty good from the North East.



I do hope they add the horizontal dividers on the glass between floors like in the rendering.



Although the way the glass is now does a nice job integrating some of the older brown buildings downtown with the newer glass ones like the Austonian and the W.



The West side is an eyesore and just keeps getting worse, I actually miss seeing the North wall of the Hampton now. Thank god in a few years when the JW Marriott goes up this will no longer be visible from Congress.

[BevoLJ]

That west wall is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen. It is damn near Jester ugly.

Ugly walls or not, thank you for the updated pictures. =)

[migol24]

why aren't there windows or anything of that sort? why couldn't they had me design that part of the building and just paid me $500? I'd of done it gladly and everyone would have been happy.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by migol24

why aren't there windows or anything of that sort? why couldn't they had me design that part of the building and just paid me $500? I'd of done it gladly and everyone would have been happy.

That site next door will be a high rise someday, and they didn't want to put in bunch of windows with a five foot view of a wall.

[JoninATX]

Well it's not to bad, plus they will be adding the Hyatt Place logo on that side. I saw the blueprints.

[KevinFromTexas]

I hope something does go up on that side of the block. That wall is ugly. Whatever does go up there will likely be tall since it won't have much of a view until hit reaches at least 200 feet in height.

[migol24]

I'm sure if they're cool enough to lend it to artists, something cool can be done to use that space in the meantime... like during SXSW how they have those projectors on the walls around downtown showing something cool and artsy.

[The ATX]

If that Hyatt wall gets to looking too nice with locally done art the development haters will think it's iconic and fight any project announced for the adjacent lot. I say we keep it ugly so people will want to see covered up.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

If that Hyatt wall gets to looking too nice with locally done art the development haters will think it's iconic and fight any project announced for the adjacent lot. I say we keep it ugly so people will want to see covered up.

Precisely.

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

If that Hyatt wall gets to looking too nice with locally done art the development haters will think it's iconic and fight any project announced for the adjacent lot. I say we keep it ugly so people will want to see covered up.

Lol

But so true for how things work in Austin.

[migol24]

If that wall is going to get covered completely the project will have to rise over 200'... so we'll see.