AUSTIN | Waterline | 1,034 Feet | 73 Floors | T/O

[ATXboom]

Speaking of 700+ footers. Any word on the Republic??

[Geckos_Rule]

Workers are putting up sample glass panes on this lot today. Unless it's for another tower and they're using this lot as staging....

[clubtokyo]

What other building near by would need samples?

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by clubtokyo

What other building near by would need samples?

The Travis is the only nearby tower that is ready to start. But I don't know if "ready to start" would have anything to do with the need to have glass samples on display. This doesn't happen too often. Maybe someone in the development/construction business would know the answer?

[H2O]

It's possible they are there to aid the architects in selecting the glass they are specifying. Usually glass is chosen with small samples inside an office, but the appearance of glass can differ greatly in natural light, and large panels may differ in appearance from small samples due to the influence of the edge materials on the small samples.

I take it as a sign they are progressing on the design process, and taking the appearance of glass seriously enough to bother having glass shipped to the site for inspection.

[Lobotomizer]

It's called a mockup, and is very common.

[Lobotomizer]

At the beginning of a project's construction, architects will often direct contractors to provide material mockups for review. These allow the design team to review material and color selections, and make modifications before product orders are placed. Architectural mockups can also be used for performance testing (such as water penetration at window installations, for example) and help inform the subcontractors how details are to be installed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockup

[Urbannizer]

I saw the incomplete mock-up yesterday. It’s being built on the site of Phase II, corner of Cesear Chavez and Red River.

[H2O]

Full mock-ups don't usually happen until well after site mobilization. They are as much about studying how different materials come together when installed as they are about individual materials like glass. They are a tool for the architect to make sure the contractor understands how those materials need to be installed and for dialogue and problem solving if they do not come out as envisioned. The components get installed step by step as the real construction proceeds. It is possible they are taking advantage of an adjacent site to start the mock-up early, but it sounded like this was just glass and not a full mock-up.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by H2O

It's possible they are there to aid the architects in selecting the glass they are specifying. Usually glass is chosen with small samples inside an office, but the appearance of glass can differ greatly in natural light, and large panels may differ in appearance from small samples due to the influence of the edge materials on the small samples.

I take it as a sign they are progressing on the design process, and taking the appearance of glass seriously enough to bother having glass shipped to the site for inspection.

Agreed, usually a mock-up is a full-scale sample of a building including all wall systems and materials. If it's just the windows, i'd speculate it's to help the designers in specifying the glass. They probably want to see how it looks on the site and how the surroundings affect its color.

[ohhey]

I'm all for a building of this height in Austin, but not this dreck design. A clever architect can make irregular angles and asymmetry look purposeful; this design is just janky looking. The top looks like a giant lean-to on a shantytown structure.

[Geographer]

Originally Posted by ohhey

I'm all for a building of this height in Austin, but not this dreck design. A clever architect can make irregular angles and asymmetry look purposeful; this design is just janky looking. The top looks like a giant lean-to on a shantytown structure.

You're right! Austin deserves this tower's height but not its design which is weird and ugly.

[enragedcamel]

Pretty sure this will be the tallest skyscraper in Texas. At least according to wikipedia, which shows the JP Morgan building in Houston as 1,002 ft.

So, you know... I'll take any design if it puts us at the top of the list!

[ohhey]

^^
I'm of the opposite mindset. If they're going to build this big and prominent, the design should be top-notch (or at least decent). This won't be "filler"; it will be a recognizable symbol of Austin.

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by ohhey

^^
I'm of the opposite mindset. If they're going to build this big and prominent, the design should be top-notch (or at least decent). This won't be "filler"; it will be a recognizable symbol of Austin.

Sure, but I don't think this is bad or ugly by any means. I kinda like it... especially the crown:

[The ATX]

Not everyone may realize this, but this is being permitted as two buildings. Half of what looks the podium is the hotel building.

[Echostatic]

Personally I think this design is great. I love the angles, colors, the staggered look on the condo portions, the crown and amenity levels... it all looks great, and everyone I've shown this design to has really liked it as well.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Echostatic

Personally I think this design is great. I love the angles, colors, the staggered look on the condo portions, the crown and amenity levels... it all looks great, and everyone I've shown this design to has really liked it as well.

I like the design more than the height. The interaction with Red River and Waller Creek is also even better than the height.

[N90]

When does work start on making this one a reality? Groundbreaking timeline?

[427MM]

It seems more attractive every time I see it. Let's build it!