The planned unit development (PUD) agreement between developers and the city for the redevelopment of Concordia University’s 22-acre former campus, located on the west side of I-35 between East 32nd Street and Concordia Avenue, passed all the way back in 2007. But a successful deal doesn’t plunk down buildings overnight, especially when its master developers are imprisoned for bank fraud — and…
Austin’s Finally Fixing Up John Treviño Metro Park — But Not Too Much
Only twenty scant acres smaller than Zilker Park, the 330-acre tract of former ranchland at the edge of District 1 now known as John Treviño Jr. Metro Park is perhaps the second most underutilized park space in far East Austin. The first, of course, is Walter E. Long Metro Park, but the almost bizarrely ambitious $800 million master plan for that enormous potential…
Long-Delayed East Avenue Apartment Tower Might Be Back in the Saddle
Ever heard of the downtown Austin “Panhandle?” We’ve used this charmingly western-tinged name from time to time for the weird little peninsula of the 78701 ZIP code between I-35 and Lady Bird Lake south of Cesar Chavez Street, most of which is occupied by the Rainey Street District. Look, it’s a little panhandle! This minor geographic…
Here’s Our First View of the Updated South Lamar and Riverside Hotel
Remember the plans for a South Austin condo or apartment building at the southeast corner of South Lamar Boulevard and West Riverside Drive? This long-awaited and occasionally controversial project, first announced in 2013 as a 175-unit residential community, recently returned in the form of a 107-room hotel, also sporting 25 condo units and retail space to boot. (Hotel demand in Austin is seemingly…
Hey Look, the Old Ginger Man Facade is Back at the Hotel ZaZa
Remember the Hotel ZaZa and Gables Republic Square project at 401 Guadalupe Street? First announced nearly seven years ago, the timeline of this 24-story hotel and apartment project one block east from Republic Square Park has been fairly long by Austin standards, but we’re expecting its opening relatively soon. Representatives of the project have slyly told us it’s expected to open sometime during football…
At Holly Point, Long-Awaited Upgrades Head for an East Austin Park
The long-discussed plan for the improvement of East Austin’s enormous tracts of parkland on the north shores of Lady Bird Lake near the former Holly Power Plant is finally taking its first small steps, nearly a decade after City Council approved the development of a vision for upgrading the area in 2009. Generally referred to…