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arche_757

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Everything posted by arche_757

  1. arche_757
    Not bad for what it is - a residential tower. Interesting that we are seeing this new trend - very common among Austin residential towers of late. I believe it was all started by Perkins+Will with work they've done in Chicago.
  2. arche_757
    Without going all the way back through this - I'm curious what Subdude thinks of this project? I could be wrong but he fought me (tooth and nail) over the Ballpark Place residential tower that was proposed way back when it was Astro's Field in this same location. The gripe was that it would obscure the view of the northern portion of Downtown because of its height. Correct me if I'm wrong but much of downtown will be obscurred by this project and its 7 floors? Right? Just curious... And I'd love to have a built in spell check on here... Mr Editor :-)
  3. arche_757
    I thought the Chevron shareholders were going to vote on it this quarter and if approved it would break ground late next year?
  4. arche_757
    Hines is up against 2-3 other proposed towers for downtown with their 609 project. They could always do something unique and build this as a mixed-use tower. I would have studied that proposal for quite a while if I were in their shoes. I would have dedicated 12 floors +/- to a hotel concept. Why not? Hospitality is booming right now and a Main Street property for Westin or others would be big news. 200 rooms? Then Hines could have done what some other folks wanted and push this building to 50+ floors.
  5. arche_757
    Thanks. And, though I've not posted here in years I have been creeping with some of these threads... I had forgotten the rendering in the background that was on the Channel 13 broadcast. I still want to see THAT rendering without any of the mess around it. And I'm honestly more interested in the "backside" of the building - since we have no idea just how good/bad that could be. One has to worry when rendering crop up that only show 1 angle, that means the design on the otherside is purposely being hidden (or the architects are just being cheap - renderings are pricey). I should know, I've seen it done at all the firms I've worked at over the years.
  6. arche_757
    So any time frame on when we could get to see a rendering of the entire building? I've been pestering a friend at Ziegler+Cooper and he has yet to respond to my questions. And what is the over/under on this thing getting scrapped during the next 11 months before construction starts? That is a long time to sit on Hines "Starting Soon" docket.
  7. arche_757
    If Frank Gehry did get the commision for the mext MFA then perhaps he could break from his own mold of curvy, drunken designs - they are "neat" but not to my taste and look better in the middle of the woods given the organic nature of his buildings (alumnium siding not withstanding). Perhaps even: Lake/Flato Miller Hull? - they might have to leave the Northwest School behind for this one Antoine Predock Herzog de Meuron
  8. arche_757
    hmmm...... ....how about Coop/Himmelblau? j/k how about a competition!!!
  9. arche_757
    It will probably turn into a Perry Homes subdivision --- one of their new "urban" developments. Ideally it should become a high density neighborhood with a good smattering of retail, along with office space. Perhaps a large "park" could span the freeway allowing access to the Reliant Complex. Either way they need only provide parking for themselves Relaint has plenty of parking! If anything the Reliant Complex should construct a couple multi-story parking facilities, so their outlying lots wont be needed.
  10. arche_757
    I drive by that site almost everyday. Unfortunately their sales office is only accesible over a torn up Almeda - which I hope doesnt hurt there numbers. In fact sometimes the road construction closes that side altogether. Not to many people with BMW's or Merc. are going to drive over that rough driveway to speak to someone about living there. I really, really would like to see this project get going, with the recent cancelations of other notable residential highrises ie Redstone, Monaco, and Shamerock(I think its nearly dead), this would be a shot in the arm for developers wanting to build towers like this closer in to downtown. And it would be a nice anchor for the eastern edge of the musuem district. Not sure if someone already touched on this, but aparently Franklin Street Coffeehouse, YAPA Kitchen Fresh Take-away will be the retail components on the bottom floor of this building, both seem like a good fit for the area. I can see quit a few rich folks from the boulevards driving over to YAPA for some $10 potato salad. And coffee is almost a perfect fit anywhere.
  11. arche_757
    who is the architect? Kirksey - looks like one of theres, FKP?.... *Buildings can be both functional and architecturaly pleasing, in fact the best architecture insures that the building looks good and is perfect for its primary purpose.
  12. arche_757
    I agree - there is plenty of room around the area for an arthouse theatre or even a smaller AMC or Cinemark with ~8 screens.
  13. arche_757
    well they do have a really good baseball team
  14. arche_757
    yeah - i didnt bother to look up Northwestern's record, but - they are probably better than Rice, and they play in a better confrence anyway. BC - perhaps its not done well in years past but, they have put together a decent team for the last decade (roughly).
  15. arche_757
    I know coco - came from Latin/South America But correct me if Im wrong - I thought the Europeans really took it and ran... Ever been to the Chocolate Bar - on West Alabama @ Harzard(next street east)?
  16. arche_757
    just remember 30 floors for residential is different than 30 for commercial.
  17. arche_757
    what about good private schools: *Notre Dame Stanford Northwestern Boston College *University of Miami These schools have traditionally been able to compete with the big dumb state schools - and two of them (*) have become football power houses in their own right winning many national titles and bowl games between them. The best thing for football to do - is simply split up the same way the NFL did - play playoff games.
  18. arche_757
    you are right - the coffee at every Starbucks is differnt - usually with to much milk (ie weak, or with to much flavor ie to sweet). But what Starbucks is good for - it provides a comfortable and cheap atmosphere to relax and sip a drink while socializing with friends. It also provides a nice place to go when alone - since there are always people at Starbucks. That is why it has succeded not the food/drink but the casual and friendly atmosphere where one feels welcome to linger as long as possible. The same thing applies to a bookstore - where you can also relaxe read a book/have a coffee, or study in peace and seldom have a salesperson bother you.
  19. arche_757
    I wouldnt be surprised - besides Borders is (in my opinion) a better bookstore. Anyway its hard to get across the street from the Galleria to Barnes &, so I dont think the location would be to bad at all - they would basically serve two different locations.
  20. arche_757
    How true..... ....How true. The Richmond Strip is still around there are several large "clubs/bars" that are still on the strip. Fact of the matter is Richmond was a temporary setting for most - it offered access to Suburban Houston, now that its cool to be back downtown - the clubs have left and gone on to more profitable pastures. Im sure the rent is higher but now they dont have to worry about parking lot security and parking in general, not to mention the ability to easilly go from one club to the other (even if its across the street) is much, much easier. Imagine trying to cross Richmond - at night - with a bunch of drunk idiots on the roads. To me its only logical that the club scene would move back downtown.
  21. arche_757
    Another bookstore always draws a crowd - not to mention Borders is usually quite large (in there two story locations), 3 rest. well I guess we can count on them being rather large. I think perhaps if there were two other stores then that'd be great but, if there are to many tennants in this re-use then the old question arises --- access --- heaven forbid they think that more parking is needed.
  22. arche_757
    who's the design architect?
  23. arche_757
    its just a master plan - and we all know those never go anywhere.
  24. arche_757
    What is laundry mexx? I really was hoping a bookstore would go in. I love bookstores, and they offer a place for tourists to just waste time without actually spending money. Glad to see some lighter disscusions are still up - I hope the city/county (who ever) will offer the incentives these guys want to get this stuff off the ground. It will take a couple of developments like this to really jump start downtown - and bring in the residential in high numbers.
  25. arche_757
    True nmainguy - I hope the people comming over here from New Orleans will take full advantage of all that there is to offer, although I doubt they all will.
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