Austin | Block 32 (3rd & San Jacinto) | 604 FT, 54 FLRS | 466 FT, 41 FLRS | Proposed

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Well...that's disappointing. I was looking not only forward to the height, but the rounded design.

Based on the documents, the taller one is "54" stories and ~596'. The shorter one is 41 stories and "~446" feet tall.

Out of curiosity, where did you get 55 stories (for the taller) and 459' tall (for the shorter)?

There's conflicting info in the two backup files. We'll need to wait for updated elevations to know for sure. A new file with elevations was added to the site plan on 07/11, but they still showed the previous design.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by The ATX

There's conflicting info in the two backup files. We'll need to wait for updated elevations to know for sure. A new file with elevations was added to the site plan on 07/11, but they still showed the previous design.

Yeah. I also just noticed that one of the documents states that it is all residential (with 363 Type-A units each and one tower with 130 additional Type-B units). And, I just read that there is a hotel component?!? Confusing on the actual project scope...

[Echostatic]

The "residential type B units" don't look like traditional condos or apartments to me. No balconies, a separate lobby... either a really distinct few floors of affordable housing or some sort of hotel-residential mix like Natiivo.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

The "residential type B units" don't look like traditional condos or apartments to me. No balconies, a separate lobby... either a really distinct few floors of affordable housing or some sort of hotel-residential mix like Natiivo.

Good point. That's what caused some initial confusion between hotel & residential on the initial Sabine tower permits.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

...either a really distinct few floors of affordable housing or some sort of hotel-residential mix like Natiivo.

That's what I was thinking.


Anyway...other than the podium, this is quite an interesting design. It will look good in the skyline.

[Geckos_Rule]

I have to disagree about the facade of the building too. I really hope this doesn't get built in this form, because unless they end up using extremely high quality materials (narrator: "they will not"), this feels like a scaled up version of West Campus student housing, with a monstrous parking podium attached (shrouded entirely by a white/off-white metal mesh screen that is near-guaranteed to get dirty, rusty, and generally look miserable).

Looking back at a few recent developments, this actually looks worse than the Villas on Rio, as well as the renderings for the Icon (2200 San Antonio), both in west campus.

It blows my mind to say this, but the most interesting aspect of this building is the fact that there's a blue glass rectangle stuck into the middle of the left side.

IMHO, a lot of these post-modern off-white buildings with asymmetrical/irregular windows will end up being eyesores in the very near future...

[78701]

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

IMHO, a lot of these post-modern off-white buildings with asymmetrical/irregular windows will end up being eyesores in the very near future...

Agreed, this will not age well.

[The ATX]

The DC approved the Density Bonus for this one, by the way.

[uhhh_idk]

ABJ put out an article on this and included a cool rendering from Manifold Real Estate and Rhode Partners of how the tower would look downtown. I can't read the article past the paywall, but I'm sure it says everything already mentioned on this forum

[img]https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12584535/2023-block-32-tower-plans-01*1200xx1220-915-140-0.png[/img]

[img]https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12584537/2023-block-32-tower-plans-02*900xx1500-844-0-325.jpg[/img]

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...-district.html

Edit: tried posting the images, looks like it's not wanting to show in the thread - maybe it's their paywall blocking it

[myBrain]

Looks like a 5-over-2 midrise stretched vertically. I swear we've seen like this exact facade treatment elsewhere. Tired of this icky mustard color. It will all come down to materials in the end, and I don't have high hopes.

[clubtokyo]

I like the mustard color haha

[zrx299]

Wait, wait, hold up... they forgot the exposed angular support beams on the amenity levels. Everything else is there with this generation of "architecture":

Unnecessary staggered windows and vertical lines? Check.
Obnoxiously sized parking podium? Check.
Trademark "Austin Screen" on said parking podium instead of being integrated into overall design? Check.

Send this back to the drawing board so we can get the angled exposed support beams and we'll have all the boxes checked.

[the Genral]

This is what happens when the architects from the Proper and One American Center have a collaborative brain fart together.

[Sigaven]

Unbelievable to me that they are doing a plain mesh screen for the parking garage when they literally have a cool template they could use as a screen design with the facade above, to make it look fully integrated with the building. Just awful.

[IluvATX]

Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t stand buildings that get wider as they rise.

[chinchaaa]

this city is going to be filled with the ugliest buildings imaginable in 100 years. future austinites will look back wondering wtf went wrong.

[Jdawgboy]

I kinda feel with the overall downturn, this tower won't be built anytime soon and perhaps another design change.

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I kinda feel with the overall downturn, this tower won't be built anytime soon and perhaps another design change.

I too have my doubts. Manifold Real Estate has never produced any residential nor built anything above 5-stories.

[Urbannizer]

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=445051

https://citizenportal.ai/articles/23...32-development

The Austin Housing Public Facility Corporation (AHPFC) convened on February 13, 2025, to discuss a significant development project aimed at enhancing the city’s housing landscape. The meeting, led by Housing and Community Development Officer Jamie May, focused on a single agenda item: the approval of an inducement resolution for the allocation of private activity bonds to Manifold Development for the construction of Block 32 at 304 East Third Street.

This initiative is noteworthy as it represents a step forward in addressing housing needs within the community. The private activity bonds, which will be repaid by the developer, carry no fiscal impact for the city, making this a financially sound decision for local governance. The board members unanimously supported the motion, with no public opposition or speakers present to voice concerns.

The approval of this resolution is expected to facilitate the development of new housing options in Austin, contributing to the city’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and affordability in the housing market. As the city continues to grow, such developments are crucial in ensuring that residents have access to quality living spaces.

In conclusion, the AHPFC's decision to endorse the allocation of private activity bonds marks a positive move towards enhancing housing opportunities in Austin. The board's swift approval reflects a commitment to fostering development that aligns with community needs, paving the way for future projects that can further benefit residents.

[Bblasa]

Well we know this tower isn’t going anywhere. It has an ugly podium so will def get built in some form! Haha