Welcome to downtown Austin!
The Downtown Austin Blog, or "DAB", is downtown Austin's neighborhood and real estate blog. We focus on what it’s like to live, work, and play in Austin's urban core. Topics we cover include city politics, real estate, tourism, transit, urbanism, condos for sale, music, events, and sustainability. Essentially, if it involves downtown Austin, it might end up in the blog.
A quick note from the editor...
I live downtown, I love downtown. My passion is helping people find the right home for their lifestyle in Austin, Texas. Whether you're scaling down from a suburban mansion, or scaling up from a dorm room (and two roommates), contact me to learn what downtown Austin real estate and lifestyle is all about. We can meet at one of downtown Austin’s great local coffee shops where I can point out many of the things that make downtown Austin such an amazing place to call home.
Clearing the way for a new, and much needed hotel in downtown Austin, 201 W. 5th has been demolished. The concept, “1 Hotel” was announced last September and is being designed by BOKA Powell.
What is not clear is when construction of the hotel will begin, leaving many people concerned about the blight of more surface level parking.
Below are photos taken over the past few days showing the incremental demolition of the old building.
We first learned from Elliott McFadden at Austin On Two Wheels, then earlier today Thomas Butler (DAA staff and Austin CarShare board chair) confirmed for us that Austin CarShare has ceased all operations.
Much like the Dillo, we wanted to be a cheerleader for this alternative form of transportation. It didn’t work perfectly, but it did work well for many things. We wanted to see it succeed because we knew the people behind it, and how inspired and passionate they are about the underlying concept.
Austin CarShare created the market for this form of transportation in Central Texas, and it’s regrettable to see them close up shop. Not to denigrate the achievements of car2go, but it lacks the bootstrapping ethos evident in Austin CarShare. Truth is car2go works better for most users.
Car2go’s presence in more places and the ability to park it [almost] anywhere makes it more accessible to more people. And that’s a good thing for consumers/commuters. Car2go simply has the financial backing to achieve a critical mass of cars and users.
Were it not for the entrepreneurial vision of these guys/gals four years ago, inspired to create Austin CarShare, car2go would not likely have chosen Austin to beta test what is to become the largest car sharing program in the world.
Brandi Clark with Austin Eco Network puts it more eloquently.
-Jude
FOR LEASE
507 Sabine St #604 (map)
Austin, Tx 78701
$1499 per month
Stunning model unit with city views. Upgraded hardwood floors, bathroom tile. The 6th floor is the first floor with unobstructed city and State Capitol views. Perfect for anyone looking for the walkable lifestyle. Furnishings negotiable.
We were unhappy about last week’s news that Katz’s deli has fallen on hard times. Amidst the recent bankruptcy, Austin’s Katz’s Deli is now certain to be moving. Our sources say the landlord wants them out, and the famous restaurant could vacate as soon as August.
According to the ABJ article, Katz said agreeing to his lease terms was his “biggest mistake.” DAB is being told that the current landlord is asking $42 per foot + ~$12NNN for approximately 6,000 square feet. It’s gotta be hard to make a living paying $27,000 per month in rent while selling sammiches in Austin, Texas!
The restaurant chain may be down, but not out. Even with the financial troubles, it is hard to imagine there isn’t a landlord out there that could benefit from the Katz’s brand cache. We’re eager to find out where they will be moving to.
The DAA is seeking for proposals from artists, designers, and other qualified individuals to create an attractive, cohesive and Austin-centric set of decorations for the downtown holiday tree. The approximately 40’ live tree is installed at the base of the Capitol in early December and remains in place until the second week in January. The tree is an important part of the downtown holiday experience. The decorations will showcase a local artist or designer while providing a uniquely festive signature tree for downtown. Proposals are due on August 30th and a pre-proposal meeting will be held on August 13th.
For more information, review the RFP at: http://www.downtownaustin.com/news
downtown Austin open house listings for Saturday, July 24th
- 603 Davis St, The Shore Condos #103, $499,900 2-4pm [Urbanspace]
- 603 Davis St, The Shore Condos # 1711, 2bd/2ba $449,900 2-4pm [Urbanspace]
- 603 Davis St, The Shore Condos # 1603, 2bd/3ba$650,000 2-4pm [Urbanspace]
downtown Austin open house listings for Sunday, July 25th
- 800 W 5th St, Austin City Lofts # 909, $465,000 1-4pm [Daybreak]
This is a great weekend to check out the Shore condos (my home!) where there are three open houses. Including #103: a rare three-story live/work space, located on the ground level.
When you’re done with the open houses, you can enjoy an afternoon on Lady Bird Lake by renting a canoe or kayak from at the Texas Rowing Center. Or, dine al fresco at Annie’s Cafe on Congress Ave for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Make sure to download my transaction report from June (registered members only) and discuss with a Realtor who lives and works in downtown Austin.
-Jude
C’mon, admit it… you’ve always wanted your own bar. Tired of Bob Woody and that bachelor guy having all the fun? With $300,000 originally invested, Downtown Austin’s Club Deja Vu can be purchased for $80,000 + lease payments, of course.
Downtown Burgers
Quietly tucked in a small lot across the street to the Austin Convention Center and adjacent to the Railyards, a little burger stand quietly awaits your patronage. The little burger stand (or, more correctly, the little trailer, as is all the rage these days in Austin) is simply called Downtown Burgers, and has been in the neighborhood since the second week of February this year.
Simple is the theme here. From a simple building, to a simple menu:
Downtown Burgers likes to stick to what it does best. And that’s burgers. Just burgers. (Though, thankfully they have a vegetarian option).
I ventured out today, immediately assaulted by the Austin heat, but undeterred in my goal to have a burger, coke, and fries. I arrived, ordered my burger, and chatted a minute with the owner, Steve McDermott. Steve, an Austin transplant, was born in New York and raised in Chicago. He says business has been good. “The good news is, I’m 10 feet away from the convention center. The bad news is, I’m 10 feet away from the convention center.” He explains that most of his business comes from the events and the workers at the convention center, but that business has been pretty steady since he opened. I’m personally a little surprised at the turn-out today given the heat and the fact that there is NO indoor seating. I’m hoping this means that the food is good and a good deal.
Diners Enjoying a Good Old Fashioned Burger and Fries
I ordered the veggie burger combo for what I thought was a fair price: $6.95. Here’s a picture of my meal:
The burger and the fries were really, really good. Like, really good. I would definitely eat there again. And I was happy to find out that they were open weekdays from 11am-10pm and weekends from 11am-Midnight. A great place for a downtown condo dweller to pick up a simple meal after work if you don’t feel like cooking.
In the spirit of Downtown Burgers, I’m going to embrace simplicity in this post, and just say I recommend it.
Downtown Burgers, 350 Trinity Street, 78701. http://www.downtownburgers.com/
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