Austin | The Travis | 594 Feet | 52 Floors | T/O - Page 9

The ATX · #1 Posted **Sep 20, 2019, 11:30 PM**

The latest version of this project heading to the Design Commission features a more public plaza. The towers themselves don't appear to have changed other than the ground floor.

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=327897

H2O · #2 Posted **Sep 21, 2019, 12:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

The latest version of this project heading to the Design Commission features a more public plaza. The towers themselves don't appear to have changed other than the ground floor.

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=327897

I approve! The only thing more I could hope for would be to dedicate the driveway as Red River ROW (the City would need to acquire the Shore's driveway so we have any actual street between the two properties) rather than two separate, adjacent private drives.

Geographer · #3 Posted **Sep 21, 2019, 1:59 PM**

Their latest design is much better! Towers that big need more public spaces because there were bill thousands of people who live in them and want to get out of their cramped apartments. Asian cities that have large residential high rises usually have vibrant public spaces around them because people want to get out of their tiny apartments.

The ATX · #4 Posted **Sep 24, 2019, 1:03 AM**

That backup file was incorrectly posted for tonight's meeting. It was actually the July presentation that got rejected. The presentation for tonight's meeting included a ground floor resident artist shop and has both an inside and outside gallery at street level. I'm working tonight and couldn't wait for the vote. So I don't know if the third time was a charm for this one. The same goes for the Masonic Lodge tower as I missed the vote at the HLC for that one as well.

KevinFromTexas · #5 Posted **Sep 21, 2019, 1:21 AM**

I don't think the rendering for the taller tower actually depicts what's shown in the building elevations. This one has a more flat top, whereas the design in the elevations shows it with a ridge running across the middle of the roof. I actually prefer the elevations version. It reminds me bit of some of the towers in Sydney, Australia. Sort of like their Citigroup Tower, but without the spire:

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=384

Jdawgboy · #6 Posted **Sep 21, 2019, 3:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I don't think the rendering for the taller tower actually depicts what's shown in the building elevations. This one has a more flat top, whereas the design in the elevations shows it with a ridge running across the middle of the roof. I actually prefer the elevations version. It reminds me bit of some of the towers in Sydney, Australia. Sort of like their Citigroup Tower, but without the spire:

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=384

Ooooo I really hope it has a similar look! Better than another flat topped box or rectangle.

KevinFromTexas · #7 Posted **Sep 24, 2019, 8:34 PM**

I like the idea of the overlooks. Public spaces are a good thing, especially along the river as an extension of the hike & bike trail.

The ATX · #8 Posted **Jan 5, 2020, 10:20 PM**

I've been worried about this project because the site plan application expired, and they never filed a new one after they got the density bonus last summer. But they do have an active construction permit in E-Review. At some point they will need to file a site plan. I still don't think this one will start in 2020.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/public-s...ertyrsn=524421

EDIT: I found an older site plan that is still in process. I'm guessing the second site plan was filed in error, and that's why it was allowed to expire. The site plan is far enough along in the approval process to give this one a chance of starting in 2020.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/public-s...ertyrsn=524421

The ATX · #9 Posted **Feb 20, 2020, 3:45 PM**

No major news. But the site plan had been stuck on "Inactive" for several weeks, and it moved back into "Review" this morning. It also appears that the site plan is close to approval. I haven't heard anything about financing related to this project. But I think Tower #1 is a good candidate for the next big one to break ground.

ILUVSAT · #10 Posted **Feb 20, 2020, 8:49 PM**

Is this still being phased in? I thought I read somewhere that they were going to go ahead and build both together.

Also, isn't Tower 1 the smaller of the two? If so, and they phase this project in, there is quite a decent chance Tower 2 (the taller one) is never realized.

The ATX · #11 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 8:48 AM**

GDA now features Travis Tower #1 on their website. Some new renderings...

https://gda-architects.com/gda-the-travis.html

ahealy · #12 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 2:20 PM**

Great height, but hoping for more design details and something for a crown.....

ILUVSAT · #13 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

GDA now features Travis Tower #1 on their website. Some new renderings...

https://gda-architects.com/gda-the-travis.html

The architect's webpage for this project only refers to it as "The Travis." No mention of Tower 1 or Tower 2. Have they decided to drop the two tower plan?

urbancore · #14 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 2:47 PM**

So does tower 2 go to the north or the south of Tower 1? Wondering if it will block my buddy’s view from his 20th floor, west facing, Shore unit.

Geckos_Rule · #15 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 7:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

So does tower 2 go to the north or the south of Tower 1? Wondering if it will block my buddy’s view from his 20th floor, west facing, Shore unit.

I think it depends. I've got a balcony on the 21st floor of the shore, so I probably have some experience. I think everyone with any sort of west-facing view is going to be affected a bit, but it really depends on what side of the building (north or south) the balcony is one. For example, on the 20th floor, 2002, and 2003 will probably be the most affected. Hopefully these will be skinny enough where there will still be some decent views shining through, but who knows.

That said, lots of the residents in my building are hostile to just about any development...even though this is going to block my view quite a bit, I'm fine with it. As long as it looks good, it's going to add to the neighborhood and make it much more like part of downtown.

urbancore · #16 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

I think it depends. I've got a balcony on the 21st floor of the shore, so I probably have some experience. I think everyone with any sort of west-facing view is going to be affected a bit, but it really depends on what side of the building (north or south) the balcony is one. For example, on the 20th floor, 2002, and 2003 will probably be the most affected. Hopefully these will be skinny enough where there will still be some decent views shining through, but who knows.

That said, lots of the residents in my building are hostile to just about any development...even though this is going to block my view quite a bit, I'm fine with it. As long as it looks good, it's going to add to the neighborhood and make it much more like part of downtown.

bingo...he's 2002.

I imagine it won't happen for years to come. If they plan to build them one at a time. He should be good for at least another 3-5 years.

We vs us · #17 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 2:53 PM**

I also remembered that it was going through permitting as a two-tower package. Back in Sept 2019 it went in front of the Design commission that way. Here's the rendering at that point:

urbancore · #18 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

I also remembered that it was going through permitting as a two-tower package. Back in Sept 2019 it went in front of the Design commission that way. Here's the rendering at that point:

yep, he's screwed.

the Genral · #19 Posted **Feb 25, 2020, 3:27 PM**

He might be, unfortunately, but we're not. This tandem is so impressive and game changing that I can only hope I live long enough to see them get built. This is very "Big City". For those people using the lake from the I35 bridge through downtown, this has to be one of the most user friendly, beautiful urban scenic opportunities in the country. Better than the Cliffs of Dover, urban speaking.

JACKinBeantown · #20 Posted **Feb 26, 2020, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Genral

For those people using the lake from the I35 bridge through downtown, this has to be one of the most user friendly, beautiful urban scenic opportunities in the country. Better than the Cliffs of Dover, urban speaking.

Coming out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel in Pittsburgh.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4375...7i16384!8i8192

Hamilton Avenue/Park in New Jersey.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7699...7i16384!8i8192

The ferry in Seattle.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5992.../data=!3m1!1e3

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7965...7i16384!8i8192

And I'd say the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin.
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2606...7i13312!8i6656