AUSTIN | The Thompson (5th & Brazos) | 355 FEET | 31 FLOORS | Complete

[KevinFromTexas]

As it is now, counting Block 1, The Bowie and the JW Marriott, we have 11 buildings over 400 feet. We already have more 400 footers than San Antonio and Fort Worth combined, and we could soon pass Dallas.

Here's the breakdown:

Houston - 54 over 400 feet - 21 actual 400 footers.
Dallas - 29 over 400 feet - 10 actual 400 footers.
Austin - 11 over 400 feet - 8 actual 400 footers.
Fort Worth - 6 over 400 feet - 3 actual 400 footers.
San Antonio - 4 over 400 feet - 4 actual 400 footers.

On top of the ones we already have, there are 10 more planned. Of those, 6 would be actual 400 footers. So the possibly exists that Austin could end up with 21 buildings over 400 feet with 18 of them being actual 400 footers. So we actually have planned as many 400 footers as Dallas has now. With the possibility of having 18 actual 400 footers, Austin could end up with as many actual 400 footers as Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio have combined plus one more - so throw in Corpus Christi, too. At that point, Houston would have just 3 more actual 400 footers than Austin does, and that is nuts.

[hereinaustin]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

As it is now, counting Block 1, The Bowie and the JW Marriott, we have 11 buildings over 400 feet. We already have more 400 footers than San Antonio and Fort Worth combined, and we could soon pass Dallas.

Here's the breakdown:

Houston - 54 over 400 feet - 21 actual 400 footers.
Dallas - 29 over 400 feet - 10 actual 400 footers.
Austin - 11 over 400 feet - 8 actual 400 footers.
Fort Worth - 6 over 400 feet - 3 actual 400 footers.
San Antonio - 4 over 400 feet - 4 actual 400 footers.

On top of the ones we already have, there are 10 more planned. Of those, 6 would be actual 400 footers. So the possibly exists that Austin could end up with 21 buildings over 400 feet with 18 of them being actual 400 footers. So we actually have planned as many 400 footers as Dallas has now. With the possibility of having 18 actual 400 footers, Austin could end up with as many actual 400 footers as Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio have combined plus one more - so throw in Corpus Christi, too. At that point, Houston would have just 3 more actual 400 footers than Austin does, and that is nuts.

That's really interesting, but not entirely surprising. In general, taller buildings are more profitable. Unfortunately, local building requirements (FAR ratios, CVCs, affordably housing, parking requirements, etc) can shape the types of investments that are made. I'm not saying we shouldn't have design requirements, but we should be encouraging density, walkability, and affordability. The opportunity cost of what might have been built with better building codes is astounding. Sadly, the construction window is closing as we approach the next financial correction.

[lzppjb]

What is the difference between 400-footer and "actual" 400-footer?

[ATXboom]

I don't believe that model is complete. There are cross beam supports showing at the top meaning there are floors to be added. With the dog leg architectural feature it appears to be about 5 more stories. This thing should be plus or minus 40 stories.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

What is the difference between 400-footer and "actual" 400-footer?

I just meant buildings we have that are over 400 feet versus ones that are actually 400 feet. Example, The Austonian, 360, Frost Bank Tower and W are each over 400 feet, but the only one in the 400 foot range is the W. If you think about it, our skyline is developing in a way that Houston and Dallas didn't, because while they were developing numerous 400 footers like we are, they were also seeing considerably taller buildings proposed and built at the same time.

[JoninATX]

Austin could be ending up looking like Vancouver here pretty soon.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Austin could be ending up looking like Vancouver here pretty soon.

I sure hope Block 24 comes in at 60-stories to peak above all the ~400 footers.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

I sure hope Block 24 comes in at 60-stories to peak above all the ~400 footers.

[lzppjb]

Are we sure the guy is even finished with the model (floor-wise)?

[KevinFromTexas]

Now that you mention it, the top does look kind of funny. And really, now that I think about it, it doesn't make sense that they would scale it back in size. The two factors that would cause that would be market demand, which the market still seems to be strong, and financing. And since this tower has Magellan behind it, and they have deep pockets and plenty of experience, it's unlikely they wouldn't be able to do it.

[lzppjb]

Gotcha. So, I'm looking at your numbers again now that I know what is meant...

We currently have 11 total at 400'+ and 8 400-499'. You listed 10 towers in planning at 400'+, 6 of which are 400-499'.

So wouldn't that be 21 total, 14 of which are 400-499'? Not quite enough to have the same amount as Dallas+FW+SA+CC. Or am I missing 4?

Either way, that shows what we've all been saying re: all the 400-499' towers creating a flatter skyline.

% of towers over 400' that are in the 400-499' range
San Antonio 4/4 100%
Austin 8/11 73%
Fort Worth 3/6 50%
Houston 21/54 39%
Dallas 10/29 34%

If the planned towers get built, Austin's % would be 67%, a slight improvement.

[wwmiv]

That list forgets about the Tower of the Americas AND I'm not sure that it has the correct height for Marriott Rivercenter, unless I'm misreading elsewhere the 546'.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

So wouldn't that be 21 total, 14 of which are 400-499'? Not quite enough to have the same amount as Dallas+FW+SA+CC. Or am I missing 4?

You're right, I forgot to subtract those four. There are 10 planned that are over 400 feet, but only 6 of those are 400-499 feet. So those 6 plus the 8 we already have is 14.

Originally Posted by wwmiv

That list forgets about the Tower of the Americas AND I'm not sure that it has the correct height for Marriott Rivercenter, unless I'm misreading elsewhere the 546'.

Yes, but observation towers aren't typically counted as high rises since they don't function the same way. And that 546 foot height for the Marriott Rivercenter is way off when you view it on the skyline. The Grand Hyatt is clearly taller than its roof is, and I've seen the elevations for the Grand Hyatt, so I trust its height.

I remember seeing a 446 foot height for the Marriott Rivercenter listed somewhere back in the late 90s. The tallest I've ever been able to measure it at, using Google Earth, is 455 feet. That's to the spires. Also, I've never been able to count more than 37 floors for it above the street, although, there might be one level in the base without windows. If you look on Google Earth you'll see what I mean. There are 2 levels below the street level on the Riverwalk also. Obviously, if you measure from the riverwalk level then it's taller. Oddly enough, the tallest I've been able to measure the Weston Center (above the street) is also 455 feet.

[Jdawgboy]

You already know I was going to chime in as soon as I saw this.... WTF....WTF....What tha F♡CK!n Sh!@t is this???? I'm soooooooo tired of seeing crap like this!!! I'm so over it!

[resansom]

Disappointed with the height reduction in what had appeared to be a building with some promise. Yes, this will be another generally broad/squat, ~400' building that's east/west aligned on the east side of Congress with a general lack of aesthetics. Still, it's better than a parking lot. Let's hope that this inspires the next developer to try and come up with something that breaks the mold by creating a new signature tower for Austin.

[Austin1971]

I'll admit I want taller buildings but ain't it great that were griping over another measly 400 footer....

[wwmiv]

Observation towers are visually a part of the skyline, so if we're talking about the visual impact of a skyline they should be clearly included.

[KevinFromTexas]

I agree, but I was only talking high rises. By the way, I grew up being jealous (still am) of San Antonio for the Tower of the Americas. I really love it and try to visit it every time I'm there. I can remember going on field trips in elementary school to the Institute of Texan Cultures, and being more interested in the tower than anything else.

[GoldenBoot]

This is disappointing news...especially since Magellan has stated in the past that it was "not afraid of going tall" in Austin. Guess they may actually be...

[Jdawgboy]

I wouldn't freak out over that picture just yet. I agree that I don't think the model the guy was working on was finished. He was clearly still working on it.