AUSTIN | Waterloo Park Central (HealthSouth site) | 37 Floors x2 | Cancelled

[H2O]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I hate these blank walled podiums though. One of the Chicago forumers was commenting on 608 Guadalupe and suggested they follow the model of One Chicago Square which is in development now. That tower in Chicago is gorgeous, and the base/podium is very well done. It reminds me a bit of the two buildings flanking our city hall, which I think have nice facades. I wish our podiums had more texture to them. I get that you won't have that with parking stumps since there really isn't a reason to since there aren't any windows, but this is something that is greatly affecting the appearance of something they're trying to market. It's one of the most noticeable features.

One Chicago Square thread:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=230226

Austin's architectural style seems to be trending toward modern which usually favors slick skinned buildings with very little detail. It's one of the things I don't like so much about modern architecture because really there's nothing wrong with having a mix of styles from street level to 500 to 700 feet up since the uses between those aren't the same.

The block is about 1.5 times longer on each side, so there is more room to wrap the parking (if it is above grade), not to mention, have an additional tower on top of the podium.

[OKTX]

Wexford is out.

http://www.mystatesman.com/business/...1WSOZpk9FVfyL/

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by OKTX

Wexford is out.

http://www.mystatesman.com/business/...1WSOZpk9FVfyL/

Overall, it seems like it's for the best. But the possibility of retrofitting the old hospital building for a new use has me worried.

[KevinFromTexas]

I can't imagine them repurposing the building where so many people were sick and even dying could be an attractive possibility to anyone. I for one will not miss that building when it's gone.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by OKTX

Wexford is out.

http://www.mystatesman.com/business/...1WSOZpk9FVfyL/

I smell a rat! And I don't trust Gottesman...Never have.

[MMOnsii]

Why do they never show the winning proposals?

And I'm hoping that those beautiful renderings weren't chosen because of how tall the buildings were, or just the idea that having those projects built in Austin just seems too ambitious.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by MMOnsii

Why do they never show the winning proposals?

And I'm hoping that those beautiful renderings weren't chosen because of how tall the buildings were, or just the idea that having those projects built in Austin just seems too ambitious.

They do (and did). The "winner" is now off the project.

[austlar1]

Looks like this redevelopment is scratched for the time being. Hospital towER to be leased to med school for starters. This definitely sucks, but the plan was probably a bit ambitious for this point in time.

[AustinGoesVertical]

So I’ve heard UT Austin is seriously considering buying this tract of land as it locks up a natural growth corridor for them. Unless they do some joint venture, it’s looking like the potential for mixed-use or significant high rises on this site is dying. UT will probably sit on it until they use some of that endowment to add some shiny new buildings and extend campus.

UT could also choose to work with a developer, but it’s looking more like UT rather than some of the prior contenders. I don’t understand why Central Health can’t call back Brandywine and ask them to meet for coffee and bring those glossy renders back to town while they’re at it.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

So I’ve heard UT Austin is seriously considering buying this tract of land as it locks up a natural growth corridor for them. Unless they do some joint venture, it’s looking like the potential for mixed-use or significant high rises on this site is dying. UT will probably sit on it until they use some of that endowment to add some shiny new buildings and extend campus.

UT could also choose to work with a developer, but it’s looking more like UT rather than some of the prior contenders. I don’t understand why Central Health can’t call back Brandywine and ask them to meet for coffee and bring those glossy renders back to town while they’re at it.

I got the impression from reading an announcement a few weeks ago that Central Health, in a deal involving an entity known as the 2033 Fund, planned to lease the old hospital tower to UT, and the tower would be re purposed for the present time to suit expansion needs. I assume this means the tower won't be imploded any time soon and might see new life as a medical building of some sort. A KXAN news story said the UT System Board of Regents will consider authorizing the university to lease those blocks from the 2033 Fund for Dell Medical School activities and other groups with a similar health care mission. The 2033 Fund (Sandy Gottesman and other connected UT alums) is the likely entity to get overall long term development rights for the hospital tract.

http://kxan.com/2018/02/21/plans-cha...spital-campus/

[AustinGoesVertical]

Originally Posted by austlar1

I got the impression from reading an announcement a few weeks ago that Central Health, in a deal involving an entity known as the 2033 Fund, planned to lease the old hospital tower to UT, and the tower would be re purposed for the present time to suit expansion needs. I assume this means the tower won't be imploded any time soon and might see new life as a medical building of some sort. A KXAN news story said the UT System Board of Regents will consider authorizing the university to lease those blocks from the 2033 Fund for Dell Medical School activities and other groups with a similar health care mission. The 2033 Fund (Sandy Gottesman and other connected UT alums) is the likely entity to get overall long term development rights for the hospital tract.

http://kxan.com/2018/02/21/plans-cha...spital-campus/

Interesting. This is probably what they were referring to then. Either way, I got the sense that this would end the visions of private, vertical development at least for the time being but maybe 2033 will work separately with a developer on select portions of the site.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

Interesting. This is probably what they were referring to then. Either way, I got the sense that this would end the visions of private, vertical development at least for the time being but maybe 2033 will work separately with a developer on select portions of the site.

I just hope 2033 does not signify the date when they hope to be finished redeveloping the site!! I think whatever happens in those several blocks is likely to be organic and piece meal. Sometimes that can work out well, assuming that development is fairly continuous. I predict that the area in question will become a gigantic medical center/hospital complex over time.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by austlar1

I predict that the area in question will become a gigantic medical center/hospital complex over time.

I agree. This area will become Austin's Medical District. To what extent will we see vertical development will depend on as you stated organic circumstances depending on the parcel, timing and kind of demand as well as the amount of money invested in individual parcels. We probably won't see 7 glistening towers when all is said and done, however it doesn't mean we won't see any significant height. I do think it will be awhile, at least 5 years and likely longer before we get an idea of how this area may look in the future.

[MMOnsii]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

They do (and did). The "winner" is now off the project.

Really? Where are the winner's design?

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by MMOnsii

Really? Where are the winner's design?

To the left and down the hall.

[MMOnsii]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

To the left and down the hall.

In Brackenridge??

[The ATX]

Some movement on three of the blocks. From the 05/03/18 AULCC meeting notes:

"Proporosed redevelopment of eastern portion of Block 164, all of Block 167 and 168 of the Original City. The redevleopment is submitting to AULCC during the preliminary stage of design to identify potential utility relocations and connections."

Here's the location. I believe this is the part UT Dell is using for expansion. The notes say the sponsor of the project is "Private Developer."


ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/ATD_AULCC/...nt_PLAN_01.pdf

[The ATX]

Here's the website of the civil engineering firm that did the drawing. They have done a lot of work for U.T., and they worked on the U.T. Dell Medical Center project.

http://www.garzaemc.com/

[The ATX]

Red River St. from in front of the Hotel Mirabeau site through the Brackenridge campus is now part of U.T.'s Med Center expansion. I wonder if they plan to straighten it to like they did during Phase I to eliminate that last disconnected section?

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Red River St. from in front of the Hotel Mirabeau site through the Brackenridge campus is now part of U.T.'s Med Center expansion. I wonder if they plan to straighten it to like they did during Phase I to eliminate that last disconnected section?

Yes I think that is the plan once they demo Brackenridge.