after only two years away i was shocked.  :-o  downtown austin is busier than ever reinventing itself. it buzzed with construction. sad to say, but currently there is more construction downtown here than the ohio “three C’s” combined  :-P  -- if this thread doesnt give too good an idea of that just check out all the project links at the bottom.

 

some demographic info:

 

"With more and more people opting for urban living, the residential population of Downtown is increasing annually. More than 5,900 people live Downtown, and more than 363,000 people live in the primary market trade area of downtown. There are 67,000 downtown workers in the central business district and 90,000 employees within a one-mile radius of 6th Street and Congress Avenue, the central hub of Downtown. Additionally 7 million people visit the area annually for conventions, trade shows and tourist attractions. With 735,000 residents in 2007, Austin is the 16th largest city in the U.S. and grew 41% in the 1990s. There are no signs of slowing down either. The area is projected to more than double in population in the next twenty years. More than 281,000 people live within 5 miles of the heart of Downtown Austin, 6th Street and Congress Avenue."

 

more yada yada:

http://www.downtownaustin.com/business/demographics/

 

onward to the hazy, rainy april day pics:

 

 

new ballet austin

http://www.balletaustin.org/flashintro.html

 

new music hall nearby

http://www.austinmusichall.com/index.cfm?Fuseapp=Main&Fuseaction=VenueInfo

 

^ the old one was a warehouse

 

 

the new palmer auditorium & the old palmer

 

 

note the random new condo tower going up way over there

 

again from across the street

 

some downtown from near the palmer in town lake park

http://www.texasoutside.com/townlake.htm

 

new palmer events center next door to the auditorium

 

 

 

downtown panos

 

 

 

 

 

a mandatory texas oak in the foreground

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a look around right downtown, pretty much every lot is a construction zone

 

dude, they’re getting a w tower  :-o

 

and here it ‘tis

 

 

the new Austin city limits next to the w

 

world class signage?  :laugh:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

new-ish city hall

 

 

potential life on the corner?

 

 

 

couple years old frost bank tower

 

 

 

down below

 

 

nearby

 

 

 

 

another new one near whole foods hq

 

more

 

 

 

 

 

i don’t think this chase bank office was up on my last visit 2 yrs ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

whole foods hq

 

 

 

 

back of whole foods

 

mega project going up by the riverfront

 

more older stuff around downtown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*** more lifestyle-type austin pics to come ***

 

project info links:

 

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/ep_data_0308.pdf

 

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/default.htm#emerging

 

That watertower in the skyline is something you don't see everyday :)

I don't care for downtown Austin (or Austin itself) other than they are atleast trying to build urban.  While 6th Street is nice (it's cute), the rest of downtown I find to be quite boring and more parking lots than I expected.  But again, for Texas, it has one of the best downtowns.

^ i know....but these are all pics of those old southend parking lots!!

 

ive been vacationing there regularly for 15yrs & the sudden amount of construction all around downtown now is staggering. now i dont like it much anymore because it isnt sleepy.  :-o

Doesn't look like what I would've expected. The condo buildings, while adding lots of people, all look the same. Reminds me of all the condo towers going up in Toronto. Eh. At least here we only have one, so it provides some variety. Oh, they have a commuter rail line under construction, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with the development.

Doesn't look like what I would've expected. The condo buildings, while adding lots of people, all look the same. Reminds me of all the condo towers going up in Toronto. Eh. At least here we only have one, so it provides some variety. Oh, they have a commuter rail line under construction, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with the development.

 

wow.

 

just.

 

 

wow.

 

 

 

Austin is just going through the same thing our 3C's did a long-long time ago, just different era.

 

Great pics, btw.

Reminds me of the activity seen in Atlanta and Charlotte.  They are getting the same types of building styles, streetscape designs, and everything.

 

While a bunch of this cold feeling design isn't desirable it makes the numbers work for moderately priced units...thus opening up the urban core to YPs who can't afford the $300k and up units going in in most Midwestern projects.

 

The best thing I experienced about both Charlotte and Atlanta (and I'm sure Austin is the same) is the positive energy that all the young people bring.  They essentially make their presence known and demand a seat at the table...they then demand that things like light rail, streetcars, walkable neighborhoods, nightlife, etc happen...and happen in the form they desire.  The Midwest has not gotten to that stage yet.

^ I was about to say the same thing.

 

Looking at these pics my first impression is that I don't care for the architecture but it seems to have the positive energy and vibrancy I experienced in Atlanta. That makes a much bigger impression on a lot of people than the number of parking lots and architectural styles. People like seeing rapid change in the form of development; it's exciting.

Doesn't look like what I would've expected. The condo buildings, while adding lots of people, all look the same. Reminds me of all the condo towers going up in Toronto. Eh. At least here we only have one, so it provides some variety. Oh, they have a commuter rail line under construction, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with the development.

 

wow.

 

just.

 

 

wow.

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking that's a response to my last remark, which was dripping with sarcasm, as we in this state can't seem to put 2 and 2 together.

All that development, but were are the people?  Even if these were taken on the weekend it is disappointing to see so few out and about in what is supposed to be a vibrant Downtown.

All that development, but were are the people?  Even if these were taken on the weekend it is disappointing to see so few out and about in what is supposed to be a vibrant Downtown.

X you beat me too it, it's another southern city built with no character or soul.  just my opinion.

Austin City Limits is probably the best concert series there is. I often listen to the cds even though I've never been.

Doesn't look like what I would've expected. The condo buildings, while adding lots of people, all look the same. Reminds me of all the condo towers going up in Toronto. Eh. At least here we only have one, so it provides some variety. Oh, they have a commuter rail line under construction, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with the development.

 

wow.

 

just.

 

 

wow.

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking that's a response to my last remark, which was dripping with sarcasm, as we in this state can't seem to put 2 and 2 together.

 

oh. gotcha! thx.

 

All that development, but were are the people?  Even if these were taken on the weekend it is disappointing to see so few out and about in what is supposed to be a vibrant Downtown.

X you beat me too it, it's another southern city built with no character or soul.  just my opinion.

 

i figured the lack of people was obviously purposeful in this thread of new buildings under construction. guess not. although come to think of it i see you boys studiously missed that i noted lifestyle pics will be another thread sometime.  :wink:

 

Austin has had it's setbacks too...the shell of the Intel office building downtown sat unfinished and abandoned for years before they recently tore it down...if that had happened in ANY ohio city, the negativity surrounding it would be HUGE!  Imagine Eaton starting the new building and abandoning it in Downtown Cleveland.

 

I used to travel to Austin a lot for work.  The downtown is OK....and I never could understand why 6th st was one way with tarffic speeding down it, when the streetscape was so lively.  I always got the vibe from Austin that it was a charming little city, but well on it's way to becoming the next Atlanta sprawl mess.  They are building these huge hulking freeways all over the place with the highest flyover ramps I have ever seen. 

 

I stayed Downtown, but worked outside the cbd, and there were huge "for lease" signs on every office building I passed.

Frost Bank Tower was a fantastic building to have as the city's tallest.  It's a shame that it was so short-lived. 

 

Did anyone else see the movie, "The Unforseen"?  It's about development in the city of Austin destroying the natural beauty of the area.  That movie was shot a few years back, before any of this happened.  I can't imagine what poor Barton Springs looks like now.

I'll take Austin over Dallas or Houston period. Thanks for the shots.

i figured the lack of people was obviously purposeful in this thread of new buildings under construction. guess not. although come to think of it i see you boys studiously missed that i noted lifestyle pics will be another thread sometime.  :wink:

 

What's a lifestyle pic?  :wink:

Looks like an exciting place to be, though for a boom city I'm surprised at the (apparent) lack of street life...?

I'm sure if I were a college student that I would like it, but its not for me. I've been there 6-10 times to visit my wife's family. It is nothing special. Very suburban style downtown. Additionally, it is hard to identify a real "center" to the city.

 

Lots of highways being built. Lots of vinyl village apartments popping up along those highways. It is hard to find the poor areas of the city. Great path along the river that is always hopping with runners. Poor housing stock and the good stuff is ridiculously expensive. And way way way too hot in the summer.

That children's museum is awesome!  I would have loved that as a child.  I also like that outdoor market.  Very cool.  The rest of it?  Eh... it's alright.  Good for them that they have so much development happening.

Austin City Limits is probably the best concert series there is. I often listen to the cds even though I've never been.

 

Easily. Amazing concert series. I'm already a PBS junkie, and that's by far one of my favorite shows. I wanna visit Austin for that alone.

 

I've also heard for a while now about Austin's arts scene in general. Would love to check that out.

 

Nice shots, mrnyc. My favorite buildings are the City Hall (amazing!) and the new W Hotel. Love the design of both. In general, though, wasn't as impressed by Austin as I thought I would be, but it looks like it does have some cool touches to it.

I'm sure if I were a college student that I would like it, but its not for me. I've been there 6-10 times to visit my wife's family. It is nothing special. Very suburban style downtown. Additionally, it is hard to identify a real "center" to the city.

 

Lots of highways being built. Lots of vinyl village apartments popping up along those highways. It is hard to find the poor areas of the city. Great path along the river that is always hopping with runners. Poor housing stock and the good stuff is ridiculously expensive.

 

This is why i said it's "soulless".  What is there in Austin to differentiate it from Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Tampa or Miami?  They all look the same!

well we all better get used to the soul-less new construction going on downtown in austin. this is what is it these days, it's what mid-size cities are building. i blame lifestyle malls for the "inspiration."

 

although perhaps a bit more diverse architecturely because it's piecemeal superblocks, i would guess the new downtown austin stuff is pretty much like what stark would build out in the cleve. ditto something similar around downtown columbus and the banks in cinci. no?

 

for example, are we saying that new apt tower in downtown cols has more "soul?" certainly no more or less than any of these new austin apt towers or the new w hotel tower.....and seems to me it's smaller too. im just sayin....prepare for this kind of (bland?) construction as its typical of what everybody is getting currently, if they are getting anything big at all.

 

ps -- whoever mentioned the new toll highway flyovers....jeebus you aint kidding. those are insane. texas loves them their ridiculously tall highway flyovers.