• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TOWERS

Austin city life since 2007.

  • News
    • Condo Projects
    • Neighborhoods
  • Listings
    • Austin Condo Guide
  • Newsletter
Search
You are here: Home / Blog / Here’s a Closer Look at Downtown’s Drake Bridge Commons Project
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

Here’s a Closer Look at Downtown’s Drake Bridge Commons Project

James Rambin April 30, 2019 Comment

The Drake Bridge carrying First Street across Lady Bird Lake. That’s the W Austin in the background. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The bridge carrying First Street across Lady Bird Lake has held the official title of the “Drake Bridge” for 63 years of its 65-year existence — in other words, not exactly breaking news. Still, I’d bet my life that a vast majority of Austinites have no idea this is the case, perhaps even many of the people who were actually alive during the mayoral term of William Sherman Drake, Jr., who held office here at the time of the bridge’s completion in 1954.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Trail Foundation (@thetrailfoundation)

This uphill battle of public awareness is currently a major concern for the folks at the Trail Foundation, the organization tasked with the stewardship of Austin’s much-loved Hike and Bike Trail. The foundation, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, is preparing to kick off the first project under the umbrella of its Corgan Canopy Fund initiative — the Drake Bridge Commons, an effort to revitalize the area of the trail beneath the bridge on the north shore of the lake.

The current state of the trail segment underneath the Drake Bridge. Image: The Trail Foundation

“Most Austinites know Drake Bridge as the 1st Street Bridge, and there is little sense of the Trail at Drake Bridge as a place or destination.”

— The Trail Foundation

At present, this space is unlit, undeveloped, and relatively forgettable — a condition that, for what it’s worth, reflects the bridge’s own current anonymity in terms of low public awareness regarding its name or historic context.

A current view from the shore at the space underneath the Drake Bridge. Image: The Trail Foundation

With the help of Los Angeles-based design firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios, which established an Austin office earlier this year, the foundation recently unveiled two potential design concepts for improving the area underneath and around the bridge, creating a more memorable public space for downtown by literally bringing this part of the trail out of the shadows. 

At a public engagement event held at the space last weekend, representatives of the foundation and RCH Studios presented their visions in an unorthodox way. Sure, they had renderings of the concepts on big boards like we’re used to, but they also hired a trio of improv actors to portray three historic Austinites — the aforementioned Mayor William Drake, Emma Long, and Walter Seaholm — all of whom played roles in local politics during the time of the bridge’s construction.

It’s kinda like that time Jim hired a Ben Franklin impersonator to troll Dwight, but it’s probably a better way to get people involved than making them stare at a bunch of boards. Anyway, here’s a closer look at the two design options for the Drake Bridge Commons, as presented last weekend:

Option One – “Drake Dock”

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

The centerpiece of this design, as implied by the name, is a set of dock structures that extend diagonally into the lake on both sides from underneath the bridge. The western “dry” dock is designed for lake access, offering city views and easy kayak launches, while the eastern “wet” dock is partially submerged and enables a wetland environment with aquatic plants and more limited access via stepping stones. 

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

The materials of the dock extend to the area underneath the bridge itself, which the plan describes as a “sanctuary,” providing a lot of seating and climbable surfaces, along with space for potential events or other activation. The slide below also gives us a better view of the “wet” dock area:

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

For safety purposes as well as fun, the space under the bridge will include dramatic lighting, as seen in the night shot provided below — along with an actual climbing wall, which will probably appeal to both kids and inner kids:

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

 

Option Two – “Drake Rock”

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

The “Drake Rock” design, focused on ecology and downtown access, feels more restrained than the dock option — though its improvements are equally expansive. 

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

This plan would create a series of terraces on the eastern side of the bridge connecting the area to downtown, with a focus on landscaping including climbable rocks and other natural features. Lighting and water elements — as in, stuff kids can play with — are also listed as priorities for this configuration.

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

The space underneath the Drake Bridge itself also feels slightly more restrained than the other configuration, with an amphitheater space and seating permitting event programming, plus lighting, a boat launch, and a possible concessions area. 

Click for a larger view. Image: Austin Parks and Recreation / The Trail Foundation / Rios Clementi Hale Studios

While both designs would obviously be huge improvements for the area, we’re not afraid to wear our hearts on our sleeve regarding our favorite between the two — it’s absolutely Drake Dock. The dock configuration is a truly inspired piece of design that meaningfully connects its visitors to the physical environment of Lady Bird Lake, and its features remind us of our favorite unused proposals from back in 2013 for the adaptive reuse of the Seaholm Intake.

Bottom line, either proposal will make the Drake Bridge a destination in its own right, but for us, the winner is clear. Anyway, you’ve got until May 13 to make us proud by taking the Trail Foundation’s survey on your preferred design for this space — either by clicking this link or filling out the form below:

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $798,500 44 East Avenue #3008
    Austin, TX
  • $925,000 44 East Avenue #3807
    Austin, TX
  • $1,450,000 44 East Avenue #1801
    Austin, TX
  • $1,100,000 44 East Avenue #3806
    Austin, TX
  • $1,678,000 44 East Avenue #1705
    Austin, TX
  • $1,325,000 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
    Austin, TX
  • $550,000 44 East Avenue #1706
    Austin, TX
  • $775,000 507 Sabine Street #601
    Austin, TX
  • $620,000 360 Nueces Street #3603
    Austin, TX
  • $689,000 48 East Avenue #1805
    Austin, TX
  • $399,900 507 Sabine Street #610
    Austin, TX
  • $825,000 501 West Avenue #902
    Austin, TX
  • $789,000 603 Davis Street #2204
    Austin, TX
  • $2,195,000 200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
    Austin, TX
  • $3,499,000 555 E 5th Street #3022
    Austin, TX
44 East Avenue #3008
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9263373)
$798,500
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
793 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #3807
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9478216)
$925,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
796 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #1801
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1801, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6063062)
$1,450,000
Lot Size
436 sqft

Home Size
1,293 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #3806
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3806, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3473113)
$1,100,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
796 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #1705
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3481599)
$1,678,000
Lot Size
96 sqft

Home Size
1,228 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
Austin, TX
Photo of 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8389452)
$1,325,000
Lot Size
1,961 sqft

Home Size
2,536 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

44 East Avenue #1706
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1706, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9713307)
$550,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
538 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

507 Sabine Street #601
Austin, TX
Photo of 507  Sabine Street #601, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2247550)
$775,000
Lot Size
227 sqft

Home Size
1,454 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

360 Nueces Street #3603
Austin, TX
Photo of 360  Nueces Street #3603, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9821046)
$620,000
Lot Size
101 sqft

Home Size
728 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

48 East Avenue #1805
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1805, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3084952)
$689,000
Lot Size
61 sqft

Home Size
706 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

507 Sabine Street #610
Austin, TX
Photo of 507  Sabine Street #610, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3840458)
$399,900
Lot Size
88 sqft

Home Size
682 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

501 West Avenue #902
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #902, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5145779)
$825,000
Lot Size
53 sqft

Home Size
846 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

603 Davis Street #2204
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #2204, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5168358)
$789,000
Lot Size
175 sqft

Home Size
1,193 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
Austin, TX
Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #21E, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2415787)
$2,195,000
Lot Size
131 sqft

Home Size
1,918 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

555 E 5th Street #3022
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
$3,499,000
Lot Size
393 sqft

Home Size
3,638 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3008
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3008, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9263373)
    $798,500
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    793 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3807
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3807, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9478216)
    $925,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    796 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1801
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1801, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6063062)
    $1,450,000
    Lot Size
    436 sqft

    Home Size
    1,293 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3806
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3806, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3473113)
    $1,100,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    796 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1705
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1705, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3481599)
    $1,678,000
    Lot Size
    96 sqft

    Home Size
    1,228 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 40 N Interstate 35 #10A2, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 8389452)
    $1,325,000
    Lot Size
    1,961 sqft

    Home Size
    2,536 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1706
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1706, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9713307)
    $550,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    538 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 507 Sabine Street #601
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 507  Sabine Street #601, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2247550)
    $775,000
    Lot Size
    227 sqft

    Home Size
    1,454 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 360 Nueces Street #3603
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 360  Nueces Street #3603, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9821046)
    $620,000
    Lot Size
    101 sqft

    Home Size
    728 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 48 East Avenue #1805
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #1805, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3084952)
    $689,000
    Lot Size
    61 sqft

    Home Size
    706 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 507 Sabine Street #610
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 507  Sabine Street #610, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3840458)
    $399,900
    Lot Size
    88 sqft

    Home Size
    682 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 501 West Avenue #902
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #902, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5145779)
    $825,000
    Lot Size
    53 sqft

    Home Size
    846 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 603 Davis Street #2204
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 603  Davis Street #2204, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5168358)
    $789,000
    Lot Size
    175 sqft

    Home Size
    1,193 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 200 CONGRESS Avenue #21E
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 200  CONGRESS Avenue #21E, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2415787)
    $2,195,000
    Lot Size
    131 sqft

    Home Size
    1,918 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 555 E 5th Street #3022
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
    $3,499,000
    Lot Size
    393 sqft

    Home Size
    3,638 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

Previous Next
 

Related

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 78701, architecture, city life, design, landscape architecture, placemaking, urbanism

About James Rambin

James is an Austin native and fifth-generation Texan, but tries not to brag about it. Email him anything at james@towers.net.

300 Bowie Street #703
Austin, TX
Photo of 300  Bowie Street #703, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 1326444)
$699,980
31
  • Lot Size
    101 sqft

  • Home Size
    983 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
Previous Post: « South Lamar’s Dead Taco Cabana Rides Again, With a Hotel and Condos on Deck
Next Post: For the Rainey Street District, Getting There Is Half the Fun »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

FEATURED Listings

555 E 5th Street #725
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #725, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9482800)
$545,000
20
  • Lot Size
    88 sqft

  • Home Size
    817 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

View Virtual Tour
555 E 5th Street #3022
Austin, TX
Photo of 555 E 5th Street #3022, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2618905)
$3,499,000
24
  • Lot Size
    393 sqft

  • Home Size
    3,638 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

300 Bowie Street #703
Austin, TX
Photo of 300  Bowie Street #703, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 1326444)
$699,980
31
  • Lot Size
    101 sqft

  • Home Size
    983 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
619 Tillery Street #B
Austin, TX
Photo of 619  Tillery Street #B, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 4009706)
$839,619
30
  • Lot Size
    3,050 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,796 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

44 East Avenue #3103
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2986314)
$695,000
40
  • Lot Size
    436 sqft

  • Home Size
    618 sqft

  • Beds
    1 Bed

  • Baths
    1 Bath

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

  • 360 Condos
  • Austin City Lofts
  • The Independent
  • The Shore Condos
  • 70 Rainey

Footer

LEGAL NOTICE

TREC Information About Brokerage Services (pdf)

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice


TOWERS realty

Austin Condos For Sale

Agents

Downtown Buildings

Luxury Towers

  • Four Seasons Residences
  • W Hotel & Residences
  • The Austonian
  • 5 Fifty Five at Hilton

Most Popular

  • The Shore
  • 360 Condos
  • Seaholm Condos
  • Spring Condos
  • Milago Condos

New Construction

  • The Independent
  • 70 Rainey
  • Austin Proper
  • Fifth & West

Loft Style

  • Austin City Lofts
  • Brazos Place
  • The Sabine
  • Plaza Lofts
  • Avenue Lofts
  • Brazos Lofts
  • Brown Building

Resources

  • Austin Condo Guide
  • Condos For Sale
  • Condo Buyer FAQ
  • Property Search

Featured

Archives

Newsletter · About · Contact Us · DMCA · Privacy Policy · SLAPP · Copyright © 2007-2022 TOWERS.net · All Rights Reserved
 

Loading Comments...