AUSTIN | The Independent | 690 FEET | 58 FLOORS | Complete

[KevinFromTexas]

The Independent Austin - https://www.facebook.com/independent...type=3&theater

[myBrain]

So according to Wikipedia, this thing is going to be 950k sqft, and the Austonian is 590k, with only two floor fewer. Is that true? Is the Indy that much thicker?

It certainly seems bulkier. I spend most of my time on the north and west sides of town these days, and the Independent is really starting to dominate the skyline. It's not just its height (and I get it that it would appear taller from the west) but its girth. The Austonian is slim from the N/S, this thing looks like a substantially larger building.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by myBrain

So according to Wikipedia, this thing is going to be 950k sqft, and the Austonian is 590k, with only two floor fewer. Is that true? Is the Indy that much thicker?

It certainly seems bulkier. I spend most of my time on the north and west sides of town these days, and the Independent is really starting to dominate the skyline. It's not just its height (and I get it that it would appear taller from the west) but its girth. The Austonian is slim from the N/S, this thing looks like a substantially larger building.

Looks to me like the Austonian's wider dimension is about as wide as the Independent, but the narrower dimension is about half as wide (maybe a little more), so almost double the sq. feet makes sense.

[KevinFromTexas]

Their Facebook page says they're pouring the 57th floor now. From what I can see on the construction cam, they're pouring the columns for it.

The 57th floor is at 615 feet 3 inches.


The Independent Austin - https://www.facebook.com/independent...type=3&theater

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Their Facebook page says they're pouring the 57th floor now. From what I can see on the construction cam, they're pouring the columns for it.

The 57th floor is at 615 feet 3 inches.


The Independent Austin - https://www.facebook.com/independent...type=3&theater

This building turned out to be quite nice looking! It seems to dominate the skyline much more so than the Austonian. I wish there was a public use observation deck at the top so everyone could soak in the fantastic views!

[78701]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Their Facebook page says they're pouring the 57th floor now. From what I can see on the construction cam, they're pouring the columns for it.

They poured the 57 slab. The columns are support for the 58 (to count floors, a good datum is the cantilevered 34th).

[KevinFromTexas]

From University Towers - February 18.


University Towers - https://www.facebook.com/UniversityT...type=1&theater

[Mopacs]

From today's Statesman



https://www.mystatesman.com/news/loc...uWffOG5xaL5QO/

[78701]

They are pouring #58 right now.

[The ATX]

The crane was raised for the last time late Sunday.

[Mopacs]

A few shots from this weekend

Looking south on I-35 between Braker and Rudberg. Independent on the far right.



I-35 at MLK

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by The ATX

The crane was raised for the last time late Sunday.

748 feet is the height of the crane now, according to the FAA permit.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

748 feet is the height of the crane now, according to the FAA permit.

...and 600 Guadalupe will be about 100' taller than the Indy crane. That'll be nice.


https://www.workzonecam.com/projects...nt/workzonecam

[Sigaven]

Can't wait to see the Proper fully clad...it'll break up the monotony of the blue glass in that area. Hopefully whatever is at block 185 will also have an interesting not-all-blue-glass facade design

[78701]

New tidbits:
They are close to 80% sold out
58th floor has been poured
"Will begin construction on non-residential floors above the penthouse level" - note the plural

[loonytoony]

Originally Posted by 78701

New tidbits:
They are close to 80% sold out
58th floor has been poured
"Will begin construction on non-residential floors above the penthouse level" - note the plural

There will be the equivalent of 5 floors of non-residential above the penthouse level. Topping out is expected for mid-May or so.

[78701]

Originally Posted by loonytoony

There will be the equivalent of 5 floors of non-residential above the penthouse level. Topping out is expected for mid-May or so.

The Question Spewing Monster has escaped the cage :
How many actual floors?
What will be on them beside elevators?
An observation deck for residents?

[loonytoony]

Originally Posted by 78701

The Question Spewing Monster has escaped the cage :
How many actual floors?
What will be on them beside elevators?
An observation deck for residents?

It's really only MEP stuff, including a damper tank to offset sway. No access for residents.

EDIT: 59th floor is roof, 60 is elev machine, 61 is mechanical, 62 damper tank, 63 high roof

[78701]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
The monster is happily back in the box.

[KevinFromTexas]

The Austonian is the same way. It has 60 "floors" - but only 56 of them are occupied. The others are for mechanical stuff. The Austonian also has a slosh tank/damper tank in the crown.

These buildings literally have a large concrete tank at their top filled with water that offsets the lateral movements caused by the wind. We don't really have earthquakes here, otherwise, they'd be useful in that, too.

Another method that some buildings use is a "tuned mass damper" - it's basically a giant pendulum that makes slight movements to offset the building's movements in an earthquake.

Taipei 101, a 1,667 foot tower in Taipei uses one.
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/08...of-taipei.html

This is a video someone took 2008 of the damper in Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan during the Sichuan earthquake in China.

• Video Link• Video Link

The building was also damaged during construction during an earthquake.

• Video Link