AUSTIN | Block 16 | 590 Feet | 41 Floors | Approved - Page 3

We vs us · #41 Posted **Oct 8, 2019, 7:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC2ATX

Honestly, it kind of seems like the city just waited too long to move on that land that they long had these tentative plans for, and you know, developers aren't just going to wait for them. Maybe that's just my perspective as an outsider but idk

Also honestly, I would rather have the tall buildings instead. Austin should follow and further innovate the way many cities are now going, expanding their convention centers vertically or underground instead of swallowing more land and space. Or B- they could instead expand west across Red River and design a landmark creek-front face with all that additional space along Waller Creek.

We should probably discuss this in the CC Expansion thread . . . but in essence, this is the master plan the city's trying to pursue. Expand west. Then rebuild the old building, building up rather than out; getting back a couple of square blocks for redevelopment . . . and then opening it up on the east side, facing a revitalized Palm Park.

All of that is a ways in the future, and needs the CC to expand west first. Which also means it would preclude this tower. Also, for what it's worth, the westward CC expansion building is 4 or 5 stories, rather than 2 -- so it's doing exactly what you're hoping, which is go vertical. There's also talk of adding a significant office component as well, though I haven't seen how that will work.

All in all, the CC master plan is very urbanist, supports density, walkability, and as much mixed use as possible in the convention district. It also brings a lot of the currently underused parkland in the district into a more coherent whole. It's taken me a little bit, but I've become a big fan of what they're trying to do.

Vexal · #42 Posted **Oct 9, 2019, 1:50 AM**

It would be neat if the convention center actually goes over 35, the way the convention center in Seattle is set up (atrium goes over a regular street, and a highway goes under it in a tunnel I think).

hereinaustin · #43 Posted **Oct 9, 2019, 1:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vexal

It would be neat if the convention center actually goes over 35, the way the convention center in Seattle is set up (atrium goes over a regular street, and a highway goes under it in a tunnel I think).

Kansas City also has their convention center built over a freeway (I-35, actually).

Vexal · #44 Posted **Oct 9, 2019, 1:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hereinaustin

Kansas City also has their convention center built over a freeway (I-35, actually).

They should just build convention centers covering the entirety of 35 from mexico to canada

The ATX · #45 Posted **Oct 20, 2019, 11:22 PM**

After looking at the elevations, this looks like 39-stories officially - but the ~613' height is still good. The floor levels listed in the elevations for the amenity level and roof level include the three underground parking levels. It appears to be 43 levels including mechanical. It would be 40 floors officially if the roof level was an amenity level.

The ATX · #46 Posted **Nov 6, 2019, 7:37 PM**

With the CC moving forward, this project seems pointless.

Echostatic · #47 Posted **Nov 6, 2019, 11:18 PM**

Doesn't the city still have to buy the land for the convention center? These developers could theoretically just not sell the site to the city and build this anyway. Probably a better use of the PF Changs site, but that would be a hella disjointed CC.

Little dinky MS Paint map:

The ATX · #48 Posted **Nov 7, 2019, 12:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echostatic

Doesn't the city still have to buy the land for the convention center? These developers could theoretically just not sell the site to the city and build this anyway. Probably a better use of the PF Changs site, but that would be a hella disjointed CC.

The city already has preliminary plans for the CC expansion footprint and will use eminent domain as needed to secure the expansion sites.

The ATX · #49 Posted **Nov 12, 2019, 8:51 PM**

The site plan went into review, but there is not much new info. The project is described as 42 levels (19 parking levels and 23 office levels). There are three additional underground parking levels and a roof top terrace.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=625418

clubtokyo · #50 Posted **Nov 12, 2019, 10:43 PM**

So are they working with the city on this? I don’t understand how this will work if it’s in cc blocks?

StoOgE · #51 Posted **Nov 13, 2019, 12:16 AM**

I'm betting the plan here is still to drive value up before imminent domain.

Or maybe they'll attach it to the CC for waivers?

wwmiv · #52 Posted **Nov 13, 2019, 12:30 AM**

It is possible that they emerge with a public private partnership to develop part of the convention center with the tower over it. That was, remember, the original goal of the city.

Syndic · #53 Posted **Nov 13, 2019, 3:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

It is possible that they emerge with a public private partnership to develop part of the convention center with the tower over it. That was, remember, the original goal of the city.

Yeah, looking at the Google mockups makes me think it'd be a shame if we passed up the opportunity for a tall tower there. And I'm sure the city knows this. I suspect they're working with the city on this one and it's not as contentious as some here think.

That said, it'd be a weird development.

The ATX · #54 Posted **Feb 14, 2020, 8:41 PM**

Let's pretend that this one is happening. New elevations were posted for AULCC and it appears to have gained two floors, and the height has been clarified to be 613'. There is retail on the 42nd floor.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/.../200227/PLANS/

StoOgE · #55 Posted **Feb 14, 2020, 9:09 PM**

WE FINALLY GET AN OBSERVATION DECK.

on a fake proposal.

ahealy · #56 Posted **Feb 14, 2020, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

WE FINALLY GET AN OBSERVATION DECK.

on a fake proposal.

LMAO. We're seriously VERY overdue for an observation deck. This whole situation with the convention center seems cray cray! I had no idea the plan was to demo the existing one for a new one.

KevinFromTexas · #57 Posted **Feb 15, 2020, 12:19 AM**

I'm no engineer, but there has to be a way to to make a tower work there even with the convention center expansion. Also, I really want an observation deck baaaddd, and this would be the best location for one since you're guaranteed a view around it with the convention center sitting on those blocks.

Geographer · #58 Posted **Feb 15, 2020, 6:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

The site plan went into review, but there is not much new info. The project is described as 42 levels (19 parking levels and 23 office levels). There are three additional underground parking levels and a roof top terrace.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=625418

Is the architect serious about having 22 total parking levels? It would take 10 minutes to drive to the the 19th floor of the parking garage! This is ridiculous.

What will be new in the rebuilt convention center?

The ATX · #59 Posted **Aug 20, 2020, 9:27 PM**

I guess we're pretending that this one is still happening.

We vs us · #60 Posted **Aug 20, 2020, 9:30 PM**

Where’d you find these?