The downtown post office building may be the worst structure constructed downtown in the last century. It wastes a prime central block (Block 51) with an enormous elevated parking lot. It leaves all four sides devoid of retail, restaurants or cultural use. It places the structure in the middle of the block, far from the…
Plaza Lofts: Once You Move In, You Don’t Move Out
Plaza Lofts is something of a mystery. Built in 2002, the 60 unit 14-story condo tower has surprisingly low turnover. This year, only two units have sold. Over the last 6 months, no sales have been recorded in the MLS.In comparison to other projects, the rate of turnover is very low. So far this year, just 3%…
$350M Downtown Plan Approved
After a 4-year process, the City Council finally approved a comprehensive master plan for downtown Austin. The plan subdivides downtown — defined as the area between the lake and MLK, I-35 and Lamar — into 9 distinct areas with differentiated development and preservation plans. The plan will guide downtown development for the next 10 years.The…
Uneasy Coexistance: Music & Residents
Downtown Austin is famous around the world for its live music. Music literally powers the downtown economy. It draws people out at night, conventions to town, and tourists to the City. Not long ago, live music and downtown residences were naturally separated: their were almost no residents in the downtown core. Those who did live…
New AustinTowers Home Page!
Tonight we released a major update to the site — including a completely redesigned home page — which will improve navigation and allow us to intorduce new features. The home page now features all of the projects (in height order) with pictures and roll-over links. The new design will make it easy to navigate between…
Update: Hike & Bike Boardwalk to Close 1.1 Mile Gap on Trail
The Hike and Bike Trail that runs alongside Ladybird Lake in downtown Austin is one of the City’s most-valued recreational areas. 3,000 – 15,000 people use the trails each day to run, walk, bike, or relax. Unfortunately, the trail loop is incomplete: a 1.1 mile gap on the south shore on either side of I-35…