Brackenridge at MidTown
Embrey is turning dirt!
Has anyone seen any renderings or have any other info on this project? I didn't see anything on their site. I'm curious how tall this is going to be considering the BizJournal tab header says "Embrey developing high-rise." Quote:
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I'm assuming the site is that funky apartment complex behind the children's museum on Brackenridge Avenue?
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223 Brackenridge is the address.
The funky 4 story compound directly behind is 123 Brack, so I assume it is the one right behind THAT one, on the other side of Pine St. That complex seems to be going all the way over to Mulberry and seemingly so, the permits are for 10 buildings, 1 mail kiosk, and 2 garages (4 car and 6 car.) The fact that it has a mail kiosk and 2 small parking garages leads me to believe that it will an updated version of the same ol'. Its a shame, but I'm sure the rents will be higher to pay for the new construction, leading to a bit more disposable income for the area. This is a quote from BizJournals: Project officials say The Brackenridge at MidTown will replace an older residential complex that had long been plagued by public health and safety concerns. Google Street View 223 Brackenridge and slide a bit to the right (towards Oaktree Dr.) if you don't believe that quote. |
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Or am I reading all of this incorrectly? Quote:
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That is pretty disappointing. Wish it could at least have been designed to meet the streets better.
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And this is salt in my wound ...http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stori...9bb2963f4.html ... :wah: |
I'm trying to understand how this ended looking the way it does. From the view in the paper it feels and looks like a typical apartment complex.
HDRC would have had to review this, right? Is Embry trying to tie the look into some of the buildings in Ft. Sam? It reminds me of the Wyndham garden hotel under construction right now, except lighter. Image from the Express News http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/20/44/44.../3/628x471.jpg |
It's not in a RIO or historic district so the HDRC doesn't review it.
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I also underestimated the damage; the article also says that Mulberry Village was demo'd too. That's a huge swath of land for ONLY 282 units. Its a shame; this really lowers expectations for the rest of Broadway heading north, this area had huge potential and it is nothing but a major disappointment from Broadway all the way back to Tendick St. It pretty much guarantees that nobody will venture off of Broadway, creating a residential island. And before everyone jumps on me, yes, I do think that it is better than what was previously there, but that shouldn't be a reason for us to settle for bad design and more of the same. It doesn't have to be a high-rise, but even if you plop something similar to the Can Plant building with the surrounding ones as well to the existing streets, you would create a mini-destination point for those that are already going to be in the area for the Children's Museum or Kiddie Park. Heck, it might even make the Brackenridge Eagle add an extra stop near Mulberry. This is one of the downfalls of the city offering money to developers; you lose the potential for an area to the cheapest and quickest short-term gain. I'd rather have this area organically become something great in 5-10 years when it is viable than to have something there for the sake of it just to add a few more residents. Oh well. |
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It was never going to be a destination. It was set back too far from Broadway and is already isolated in a residential area and on a street that dead ends that it makes no sense to for anything other than a really nice looking apartment building tbh. |
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They could have, and should have, designed the building to better meet the street at the very least. It could have been like the buildings at Pearl or the 1800 with wider sidewalks and some of the residential amenities (gym, lounges) at street level with a few spaces left over for neighborhood retail like a convenience store or a dry cleaner. I think this is a huge waste of potential, but maybe I'm just a big dreamer. |
The two roads that go to this development led to dead ends. Across the street from this thing is a security fence for FSH. I just don't know what kind of development you guys were expecting that would be fiesable. Also, why are people acting like Embrey didn't do their best? Each development they've done seems to take into account the surrounding area and they development within that environment. They do their best to maximize the space they're building on for each development.
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It looks like any other apartment complex you can find in the city. Sigh
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It's ok looking, though I was expecting something taller. More infill for the area.
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Given the limitations of the location, it's a good design and use. When I first heard about this, I assumed they were razing the apartments directly behind the SACM site, as we all did. That site had way more potential with regards to being a mixed use or just taller development as it sits on less land. |
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Why shouldn't it be a destination point? It already is. People go to Planet K, Taco Cabana, Jack in the Box, Good Time Charlies, etc., why should that be all that people are limited too? Every place should be maximized to its fullest potential so that the when the next developments come along on Broadway, the foot traffic would already be there and we wouldn't be looking at sprawl in the city. I'm not suggesting it have a "big-box" or major office tenant, but there's nothing wrong with having a better designed building and space for a couple of small shops to set up if need be. I don't think that better urban design will draw people to buildings, I just know that better urban design draws people. Quote:
The fact that it is next to an Army post should not set our bar of expectations any lower. |
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