AUSTIN | West Campus Development Thread

[the Genral]

I agree, especially when viewed from downtown. But fortunately, as is, it looks pretty amazing from street level. Though not over the top tall, they are still rather imposing looking and dense, and even though there's not much to them design wise, most are distinct from the others. For actual height, there's still the UT Tower and Dobie, still one of my favorite towers nearby.

[paul78701]

I wonder if that Domino's on the corner could soon be closing (for redevelopment?).

They are building out a new Domino's location in the former Departure Lounge storefront at the corner of 5th and Guadalupe. Maybe that's a sign? It seems to me that two locations so close together (for a pizza chain that primarily lives on delivery) would be a bit overkill.

[The ATX]

The maximum 175' West Campus height applies to that corner. So the site does have some development potential.

[Urbannizer]

Crane is up for Villas on Nueces


Villas on Nueces by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr


West Campus Construction by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr


Villas on Nueces by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr

[urbancore]

it is crazy down there. so great

[Maximusx1]

The construction down there is incredible.

We're building whole new cities in West Campus, the Domain and Mueller... oh and downtown.

[Austinite101]

Does anyone ever wonder whether, eventually, non-student professionals looking for housing might begin displacing UT/ACC students in West Campus? I know this is true already to a minor extent. There are many 25+ working adults further away from UT Campus in living in West Campus. Anecdotally, I was even roommate-matched (student apartments offer roommate matching) with a 39-year old paramedic who had already been living there for two years.

I'm fairly certain this would start to occur in the portion of West Campus closer to North Lamar, but I can't help but to wonder if some these current student buildings will eventually pivot from students to young professionals in their target demographic if market forces begin blowing that way.

[atxsnail]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

Does anyone ever wonder whether, eventually, non-student professionals looking for housing might begin displacing UT/ACC students in West Campus? I know this is true already to a minor extent. There are many 25+ working adults further away from UT Campus in living in West Campus. Anecdotally, I was even roommate-matched (student apartments offer roommate matching) with a 39-year old paramedic who had already been living there for two years.

I'm fairly certain this would start to occur in the portion of West Campus closer to North Lamar, but I can't help but to wonder if some these current student buildings will eventually pivot from students to young professionals in their target demographic if market forces begin blowing that way.

Aside from the more general concerns about noise or party vibes typically associated with off-campus living, aren't a lot of these student apartments set up in a way that might discourage working professionals from moving in?

My impression is that a lot of them are multiple room apartments that are leased by the room, so each room has its own lock and renters have limited input on who leases the others?

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by atxsnail

Aside from the more general concerns about noise or party vibes typically associated with off-campus living, aren't a lot of these student apartments set up in a way that might discourage working professionals from moving in?

My impression is that a lot of them are multiple room apartments that are leased by the room, so each room has its own lock and renters have limited input on who leases the others?

I think some may be that way, but from my experience living in WC for about 4 years, most if not all of the renters have a group of 4 people (or however many) already.

That being said, I owned a WC condo, and when I moved downtown, I rented it out to a doctor that worked in the 38th st. area. So I fully agree that eventually people will start renting there regardless of students and noise. The rent value was comparatively low given the sale value of the condo (compared to downtown, at least).

[MichaelB]

I keep hoping more regular apartments will be built to encourage this. There has to be a limit on how many dorm/apartments the market can absorb.... I Hope.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I keep hoping more regular apartments will be built to encourage this. There has to be a limit on how many dorm/apartments the market can absorb.... I Hope.

Yes, approximately 50k beds between the sum of West Campus, on campus housing, and other surrounding areas. Of course, that’s provided UT doesn’t increase its enrollment and doesn’t include potential ACC students renting in the area or perhaps even students from other regional universities.

[We vs us]

It's pretty clear that non-University/non-student commercial and office projects are creeping north from downtown. It's only a matter of time IMO before these collide a little more forcefully than they have.

[drummer]

^^ Yeah, and when they do, the student housing growth would need to go north along Guadelupe & Lamar or east along Dean Keeton & Manor Rd, and perhaps MLK.

Side note, I have wondered if some of those "older" buildings around St. David's would be purchased and redeveloped in the near future...(Dean Keeton / Red River).

West Campus is growing rapidly. While I'm okay with increasing the height, I would also be okay with the current cap and increase the street activity in new developments. Does anyone know the height limit to the south of MLK, west of Guadelupe?

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by drummer

^^ Yeah, and when they do, the student housing growth would need to go north along Guadelupe & Lamar or east along Dean Keeton & Manor Rd, and perhaps MLK.

Side note, I have wondered if some of those "older" buildings around St. David's would be purchased and redeveloped in the near future...(Dean Keeton / Red River).

West Campus is growing rapidly. While I'm okay with increasing the height, I would also be okay with the current cap and increase the street activity in new developments. Does anyone know the height limit to the south of MLK, west of Guadelupe?

Much of that area is zoned single-family, especially Judge’s Hill. The area bounded by Rio Grande St., MLK, 15th, and Guadalupe (I think) allows for more given that there are some low-rise offices along Rio Grande south of MLK. But I would think new zoning would be needed for larger buildings similar to the size of what is going up in West Campus these days.

[427MM]

There is a lot of antiquated zoning in that area. Austin has difficulty planning for its growth.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by 427MM

There is a lot of antiquated zoning in that area. Austin has difficulty planning for its growth.

now that Codenext is dead, the ANC has to take responsibility for the mess Austin's in. It is one thing to say no to just about everything, but it is not okay to never offer alternatives.

I expect my toddler to sit around and say "no" to everything....not my civic leaders. The council gives too much control to these people.

Someone with more time than myself should put together a chart of all the "doors" that would have been built were it not for the NC's fighting all new housing. I believe something like that, if it were widely distributed on social media, could have an effect. I bet the actual number of units that were NEVER built is staggering.

[The ATX]

We've seen the Moxy Hotel elevations already. But the start date is "Winter 2018". I think "Winter 2019" would be more correct.


ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/AULCC_2018/180816/

[Urbannizer]

Villas on Nueces

[heliophobicdude]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Villas on Nueces

Are they behind schedule to open before school starts?

I remember talking to their leasing manager a while ago about if they would finish in time. At the time they had confidence they would. They said that they had some 3 weeks cushion between finishing and first move ins. Otherwise, they said, it would cost them $50,000 per day in hotels for all their residents.

[Urbannizer]

Church of Scientology by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr


Church of Scientology by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr



Villas on Nueces by Darius Fontenette, on Flickr