Downtown Austin Tid-Bits

Sometimes stories start small, or may seem inconsequential, then later emerge as a topic that has a major impact on the City. It’s in that light that we present some items that are on Austin Towers’ radar this week.

Signals of tower development at Red River and Davis

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No, this isn’t Waller Park Place; rather, this is the assemblage to the east, just across Red River Street. It has been speculated since 2012 that the site at 91 Red River and adjoining lots are making moves, and the fact that the house at 91 Red River is being relocated is just another indication.

Earlier this week we observed the vegetation around the property being cleared. The house is purportedly being moved to 2791 FM 425, Thorndale, TX (the previous request to entirely demo it has been withdrawn). There’s an active demolition request for the neighboring home at 91 1/2 Red River, too.

Another big sign of imminent development on this block is that an LLC controlled by Endeavor Real Estate already owns the parcels at 93 Red River and 93 1/2 Red River. And, 91 and 91 1/2 are controlled by parties who have are very involved in downtown Austin real estate development.

Google will be at Fleming’s for SXSW

You can file this under not that surprising, but Google will be buying out Fleming’s for SXSW this year. We have verbal confirmation of this from an inside source, as well as knowledge of a temporary right of way permit being requested for a Google Play sign at Fleming’s for March 11-20th. Fleming’s has one of the MOST “prime” locations for SXSW Venue Rental, so it makes complete sense that the technology giant will be controlling the space during the festival this year.

Allen Edmonds Shoe Store wrapping up finish-out work in the new 501 Congress office building

501 Congress, a newly remodeled office building near the City center, is well on its way. While Dropbox, who will reportedly be leasing around 60,000 sf of the building, was the major newsmaker for the site, there are other interesting tenants that will inhabit the space. One is the men’s shoe and accessory brand, Allen Edmonds. The store will be a nice complement to the nearby Keepers concept at 515 Congress, not to mention the Brooks Brothers store on the south west corner of 6th and Congress.

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Lonesome Dove Western Bistro moving forward at 419 Colorado

Last year, the ABJ announced that Kenichi was closing at a Ft. Worth concept called Lonesome Dove Western Bistro would be taking over the site. The remodel is continuing, and the exterior should have a remodeled look for the new concept . The dinner menu at Lonseome Dove Western Bistro is interesting, to say the least. Try LDWB for dinner, then boot-scoot over to the new Concrete Cowboy bar at 719 W 6th (where Molotov used to be) for a truly Texas themed night on the town.

The “boot scoot” trail

Aspen Heights Apartments at 805 Nueces seemingly moving forward

Our sister site, Downtown Austin Blog, originally broke the story about this site when it was slated to be The Bremond, in late 2010. The Bremond concept did not end up happening, but we got wind of another concept in late 2013 called Aspen Heights Apartments. Aspen Heights is also the financing partner behind the Independent Condos. City records indicate things are moving forward with Aspen Heights Apartments, though the project itself is still being marked as “in review.”