AUSTIN | Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue | 346 FEET | 31 FLOORS | Complete

[The ATX]

Here's the skinny east elevation from the updated site plan.

[clubtokyo]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Here's the skinny east elevation from the updated site plan.

Oh this is going to be exciting to watch go up, really looking forward to this one! Wish it was a little taller, but thats a given on any building.

[The ATX]

The backup files for next week's Historic Landmark Commission meeting about this project are available online. It has some new renderings and info. Here are a couple:



Link: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=275744

[MichaelB]

The project has build a model on the north side of the current building! ( facing 8th Street)

[austlar1]

Not the most beautiful building in the world, but I do like all the windows. This would be such a great addition to downtown- affordable units for people who are truly motivated to live downtown without a car. What are the odds that this thing can get approved and financed? Fingers crossed.

[the Genral]

At least its not another 400 - 500 footer.

[KevinFromTexas]

It's funny seeing this extremely skinny tower with the behemoth that is the Omni sitting behind it.

[The ATX]

The Historic Landmark Commission doesn't exactly love this project. This is from the backup file that doesn't have the renderings:

STAFF RECOMMENDATION While recognizing the high quality and innovation in the design and materials of this building, staff must disagree with its compatibility in the historic district. Congress Avenue is noted for its rhythm of three bays at the street level, and this is the pattern that new construction should reference for compatibility. The street-level presence of this building appears monolithic in comparison in its height, choice of material, and set-back from the flush line of the street. There does not appear to be sufficient reference to the typical bay width, and the printed glass, while innovative, delivers the impression of a sheer 3-story wall without the undulation and piercings typical of the historic patterns along the avenue. Staff therefore recommends that the applicants consider a modification to the street-level façade on Congress Avenue that lessens the impact of the monolithic aspect of the entry and reflects greater compatibility with the traditional bay divisions and patterns in the historic district. A building of this size should do its best to blend in, rather than stand apart from the contributing buildings in the historic district, at least on its street level.

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=275743

[drummer]

....I think it's fine. I kind of like the contrast with the new and old, and I don't think it's at all overpowering of the historic buildings next to it.

[KevinFromTexas]

I actually think the street level facade is fine. It raises up and steps back to give room to the State Theatre next door. Besides, when you look at the street level facades of all of those buildings on that block, none of them resemble each other. Even the older ones which are much closer in age have some pretty different looking facades. The most distracting feature of that rendering again is the Omni in the background. It's like Mount Rainier back there stealing the thunder.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I actually think the street level facade is fine. It raises up and steps back to give room to the State Theatre next door. Besides, when you look at the street level facades of all of those buildings on that block, none of them resemble each other. Even the older ones which are much closer in age have some pretty different looking facades. The most distracting feature of that rendering again is the Omni in the background. It's like Mount Rainier back there stealing the thunder.

Haha, I hear you on the Omni. And I agree with the facades. I think that if this gets built exactly as the rendering shows, folks will eventually be fine with it. Cities naturally develop over decades and centuries...it's good to let the architecture show that.

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by The ATX

The Historic Landmark Commission doesn't exactly love this project. This is from the backup file that doesn't have the renderings:


http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=275743

That's a shame. Honestly, I think that entrance is the best part about this building. The only thing better is if they had room for a restaurant/retail like the Austonian or 360, but of course this is a much smaller footprint.

EDIT: Spelling

[MichaelB]

I think this building is appropriate for the setting. It has the set back that keeps the
historic views of the capitol and agrees with the buildings next door.
History is indeed made up of a texture of styles.
( And I do happen to like the design).
I have belonged to many historical orgs and would fight bare handed to save the State Theatre.... but this building poses no threat AND the developers have agreed to share space with the State as I recall. ( was it basement space??? That is what is shared now. The basements connect) Please correct.

[drummer]

At least on this site it seems that there's a healthy respect for history and growth...I like that. There should be a balance, of course.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by The ATX

The Historic Landmark Commission doesn't exactly love this project. This is from the backup file that doesn't have the renderings:


http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=275743

I think the designers could easily incorporate the 3-bay idea without significantly changing the design - just subtly divide up the big glass wall, doesn't mean the glass wall needs to go away. I think it would work nicely actually, reducing the scale from being so monolithic and even making the entrance feel taller and more grand.

[Jdawgboy]

This is easily one of my favorite projects in the works. I really hope the historic commission doesn't screw it up. I don't see any issue with their current design proposal. State and Paramount Theater groups seem like they are for the project. If the Aloft was allowed to be built then surely the Avenue can be built as well.

[the Genral]

I can't put my finger on why I don't like the entry way, but I don't. Too busy with the vertical lines I guess. I'm not suggesting a façade that goes with the older buildings, but something better than this, with some color.

[The ATX]

I think the site plan was approved. The site plan's status wasn't updated. But there was a big update to it this week, and a permit was filed today for the construction of this project that indicated there was an approved site plan. But that doesn't matter much unless we get word on the financing, and I don't recall any articles about $$$.

[clubtokyo]

This is my favorite, looking forward to construction to begin.

[The ATX]

The site plan is now approved and released.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=201278