AUSTIN | Fairmont Hotel | 595 FEET SPIRE/456 FT ROOF | 37 FLRS | Complete

[corvairkeith]

1-13-16

[Tech House]

Seeing the Fairmont looming over the Palm school makes me feel like an ass hat for being so dismissive of the school as a historic site. It never looked like anything worthy of any special consideration to me until I saw it with the Fairmont skeleton lurking menacingly in the background. The contrast is pretty neat, and I can see how it could be spruced up and turned into a worthwhile asset. Still, it seems like it would entail an enormous opportunity cost to designate it as a historical site in such a primo location, but I can finally begin to see why others may think it's worthy of protection.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Tech House

Seeing the Fairmont looming over the Palm school makes me feel like an ass hat for being so dismissive of the school as a historic site. It never looked like anything worthy of any special consideration to me until I saw it with the Fairmont skeleton lurking menacingly in the background. The contrast is pretty neat, and I can see how it could be spruced up and turned into a worthwhile asset. Still, it seems like it would entail an enormous opportunity cost to designate it as a historical site in such a primo location, but I can finally begin to see why others may think it's worthy of protection.

That's not the Palm School in that photo; it's an old building on Red River. It's across the creek from the Fairmont site and is currently boarded with a fence around it. Not sure what it was/is for.

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by drummer

That's not the Palm School in that photo; it's an old building on Red River. It's across the creek from the Fairmont site and is currently boarded with a fence around it. Not sure what it was/is for.

Anyone know what is the story with the old structure on Red River...It has been in that state for years.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Anyone know what is the story with the old structure on Red River...It has been in that state for years.

I have no idea, but to me, it's always looked like it was being prepped to be hitched up and towed to another location. That is my guess as to what will happen to it. It is sitting on prime real estate that could be better utilized.

[JoninATX]

Looks like it's about 100ft up.

[wwmiv]

I think it's a good opportunity for some kind of repurpose activation.

[drummer]

It is a pretty neat old building. I don't know what kind of shape the guts are in, but it seems like it could be repurposed for sure.

Anyway, kinda cool that the Fairmont is rising (bring it back....)

[The ATX]

That building has been discussed on here before, but I have no idea where. From what I recall, the building was moved to that site which is why it has that "dropped off and we'll get back to back to you later" look.

[drummer]

Haha, that could be the exact scenario....someone dropped it off there temporarily to get it out of there way...over time it's become someone else's problem.

[hookem]

Actually, isn't that the palm school in his last pic? With the red roof (and the palms in front) -

https://goo.gl/maps/muoReuSwv2u

Maybe that's the image Tech House was referring to...

[drummer]

^^ Totally missed that. You might be right.

Only one way to find out. Tech House?

[Tech House]

Originally Posted by drummer

^^ Totally missed that. You might be right.

Only one way to find out. Tech House?

I was referring to this, and I'm confused now so maybe someone can spell it out clearly, is this the school? Looking at it with today's eyes, I have no idea what virtue I was seeing in it when I said that I could see how some people would want to save it. Tonight I think it should be leveled ASAP. What will I think tomorrow? Stay tuned.

[airwx]

Originally Posted by Tech House

I was referring to this, and I'm confused now so maybe someone can spell it out clearly, is this the school? Looking at it with today's eyes, I have no idea what virtue I was seeing in it when I said that I could see how some people would want to save it. Tonight I think it should be leveled ASAP. What will I think tomorrow? Stay tuned.

It isn't. The Palm School is the red-roofed building in the lower right of this image.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by airwx

It isn't. The Palm School is the red-roofed building in the lower right of this image.

That's the same building?

[The ATX]

The confusion due to cross discussion in this thread about two different buildings has gotten out of hand.

This is the Palm School which is owned by Travis Co. and used as offices. It is located at the corner of I-35 and Cesar Chavez:

http://www.austinmonitor.com/stories...ate-uncertain/

This is the abandoned mystery building on Red River across from the butt end of the convention center as seen in the recent photos posted here. This is one of corvairkeith's photos:

[AustinGoesVertical]

[/QUOTE]

Okay, so I've got some more info on this house. I talked with a convention center security guard. Apparently, the house used to be in East Austin and was actually moved here. It's currently being restored and the land is owned by the convention center. It's going to be tied into their operation, as an area for events, visitors, etc. It's going to have a courtyard and there's actually a pond back there that's going to be refurbished. Sounds like it'll be really nice.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

Okay, so I've got some more info on this house. I talked with a convention center security guard. Apparently, the house used to be in East Austin and was actually moved here. It's currently being restored and the land is owned by the convention center. It's going to be tied into their operation, as an area for events, visitors, etc. It's going to have a courtyard and there's actually a pond back there that's going to be refurbished. Sounds like it'll be really nice.[/QUOTE]

The security guard is a little off about its original location. It used to be off San Jacinto Street and 7th. I remember it vividly at that location when I was a kid. I also remember when they moved it because I thought that was the coolest thing to actually be able to move a whole building lol.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

The security guard is a little off about its original location. It used to be off San Jacinto Street and 7th. I remember it vividly at that location when I was a kid. I also remember when they moved it because I thought that was the coolest thing to actually be able to move a whole building lol.

Jdawgboy is right...

And an article related to the Fairmont Hotel that mentioned the house.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/pr...ts-zoning.html

Developers also said they’ll contribute $500,000 to the historic Castleman-Bull house renovation and $250,000 to the Waller Creek Conservancy for the refurbishment of Palm Park.

-

Photos of the move.
http://www.snowhousemoving.com/photo...20Austin,%20TX

-

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/st...2/daily10.html

H.D. Snow House Moving Inc. will spend about three weeks preparing the Castleman-Bull House for its move from the grounds of St. David's Episcopal Church to a new site seven blocks away, on Red River between Cesar Chavez and Third streets. The move is set for the week of Oct. 23.

-

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/st...2/daily26.html

The two-story brick home dates back to 1873, when it was completed by Austin merchant R.M. Castleman. Four generations of Castlemans lived in the house before St. David's Episcopal Church acquired the building in 1963.

[Homecreek]

Found thison the house and yes the building with the red roof is the Palm School http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/03/09/this-is-bull/