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The Downtown Austin Blog, or "DAB", is Austin's neighborhood and real estate blog, focusing on life in Austin’s urban core. We discuss topics of interest to residents, retailers, visitors, and stakeholders, including coverage of city politics, transit, downtown Austin real estate (condos, lofts, etc), new urbanism, and sustainability.
Yum! New Eateries in Downtown Austin: Thundercloud Subs, El Naranjo, and Nacho Creations!
I don’t really cook, and I don’t own a car, so if I want something good to eat and want said something good to eat in short order – I’m pretty dependent upon restaurants/eateries/deli’s (whatever you want to call them) that are within walking distance. I’m particularly partial to those establishments where I can get something tasty, satisfying, and simple at a reasonable price.
Which is why I was pumped when three new restaurants recently popped up in my Downtown Austin neighborhood: Thundercloud Subs, El Naranjo, and Nacho Creations.
Thundercloud Subs, 360 Nueces, 512 472 7827
Thundercloud Subs is more than a catchy jingle (btw, I’m a Veggie Delight and Jude is a New York Italian), they are “your neighborhood sub shop.” And now they are MY neighborhood sub shop, too! They’ve been open at their 360 Condos location for a about a month, and I’m delighted to say that the vibe AND the food is what we’ve all come to expect from Thundercloud. Quick, delicious, and fresh food at a reasonable price (I got the regular Tuna Sandwich combo – sandwich, chips, and drink for $5.99) with a simple and clean (but with more character than Subway) vibe. Service was friendly – but my sandwich artists looked a bit bored – only because apparently business hasn’t been quite as good as expected. I was the only person there at noon on a Saturday, which seems weird. I want to keep the likes of Thundercloud in Downtown Austin, so please go out and support – buy a sandwich (and get a cookie, too – you deserve a treat)!
For your convenience – click here for a downloadable menu.
El Naranjo, 85 Rainey Street, 512 474 2776
This is me being excited to try some new food at the conveniently located el naranjo.
I will say this – the food was delicious. Chef Ileana de la Vega knows the cuisine, and knows flavor – I readily exclaim this to the masses. For me, the main problem (nay, really the only problem) with el naranjo was that I didn’t feel like I got nearly enough of that delicious food for the amount of money I paid. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the quality in relation to the portion size at G’Raj Mahal, where I can get a very tasty, high quality $9.00 plate that takes me two sittings to eat (even though I did initially have some pricing concerns here, as well), but I left el naranjo feeling like I got a $12.00 snack (albeit a flavorful one). I’m kicking myself for not taking some snapshots of the food – as I think a picture would be worth a thousand words in this particular case.
However, other than portion size (of which I do not want to minimize the importance), I was pleased. Right now, as an intermediate step toward opening a full blown indoor restaurant, el naranjo has taken up in what seems to be all-the-rage in Austin eateries these days: a trailer (fun!)! They’ve also put out picnic tables for outdoor seating, adding to the patio-scape that is the Rainey Street bar and restaurant scene:
Chef Ileana
Click here for a downloadable menu of El Naranjo’s opening selections.
Nacho Creations, 605 Sabine Street (next to Texas Picnic Company), 512 473 2518
I actually have not been here yet, but heard second-hand about this casual Tex-Mex concept’s opening. Apparently, Nacho Creations rents the Texas Picnic Company location during the evenings and weekends. Different owners, entirely different concept, same space. A great idea to maximize the use of an otherwise only day-time and weekday business space. Nacho Creations’ hours are as follows:
Wed – Thurs: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Fri: 5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sat: 12:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Planning on trying it after the SXSW rush, and will hopefully add some commentary then. If any of our readers have tried it – would love to hear your thoughts!
I’m excited that new, casual style restaurants are continuing to open here in Downtown Austin. I like the “everyday people” focus these establishments are taking, and believe they are well-suited to the residents and visitors of Downtown Austin.
….
Now, I gotta go, because it’s time to eat!
On the trail: a beautiful spring day on the Four Seasons lawn
Over the weekend we were able to take a guided tour of downtown Austin’s Four Seasons Residences. What we have are raw snap shots of views, as captured in the middle of a construction area. Anytime a building provides access prior to completion I am especially grateful, and it speaks to their confidence in the project. Like our tour of the Austonian last week, it was requested that we not photograph the interiors until construction is complete, which we respected. You can get a sense for what the interiors of Austin’s Four Seasons Residences will look like here.
As we see it, the Four Seasons is betting that true luxury buyers are seeking something warmer, more rooted in tradition and familiar with the Four Seasons brand, as opposed to the sleek monolithic aesthetic of the W, or the high profile of the Austonian. I’ve always been excited about this project, and the building did not disappoint. Smart layouts, impressive views, and most evident was the level of amenities that would come with home ownership. Being connected to the Four Seasons has its perks.
west facing terrace with views of the city and lake
The terraces are incredible in every unit. Unlike many buildings that provide terraces which do no more than defy you furnish one of them, these are large and airy spaces that could be used as outside rooms. The west facing terraces (above) were my favorites and are available with the Austin and Upper Combo West floor plans.
Like Austin’s W Hotel Residences, the Four Seasons is oriented length wise along Lady Bird Lake. This orientation maximizes the desirable southern sunlight. Half way up the building, the views shift from living “in the city” to “above the city”. In my experience, there are buyers that seek out the former and the latter. In general, the lower floors will provide better value and a sense of living in the mix of city life.
We’ve confirmed that the 11,000 ft penthouse (31st floor) of the building has been purchased for an undisclosed amount. We estimate ~$8-9MM [for the shell space] based on pricing released last year. Interestingly, it is rumored that as part of the deal the Four Seasons agreed to increase the height of the top floor, and perhaps the building, by two feet.
Entire penthouse (31st floor) purchased. Estimated purchase price between $8-9MM for the shell space.
In our office we discuss how the personalities of the “luxury bunch” are different. Using comical generalizations, W buyers might tell you that “Our family splits time between Austin and Zermatt”. Austonian buyers might tell you that “Our company just raised $20MM in VC and is planning its IPO next year.” The Four Seasons buyer might tell you “I’m a fifth generation Texan, fourth generation Longhorn, and my roots run deep. Hook’em!”
Thanks to Ian Stonington for setting this up. Ian is a consummate professional that knows everything about his building, including the answers to the most esoteric questions, like “who makes the light switch?”.
-Jude
Photo of downtown Austin skyline by TXAlex over at SkyscraperPage (click through)
Back in 2008, we made a best efforts attempt to wade through quagmire of litigation between Harry Whittington and City of Austin regarding the unlawful condemnation of Harry’s land at 5th and Red River. At the time the City urgently needed the land to build a parking garage to service the convention center. This lawsuit impacted the urban fabric of the entertainment district for the past few years as thousands of feet of retail space has been left vacant.
The Saga of Parking Garage:
The ABJ’s Jacob Dirr reports that Harry has been vindicated in the eyes of the court.
Barring an accepted application for another hearing, Block 38 now reverts back to its original owner, Harry Whittington, while the city must pay him about $3 million in damages and about $700,000 in legal costs, Whittington said.
Open houses in downtown Austin for Sunday, March 14th
The great thing about downtown Austin open houses is that you can generally walk from building to building. If you’re into adaptive reuses of older buildings, checkout DAB’s list of downtown Austin lofts. Looking for downtown Austin FHA approved condos in order to qualify for 3.5% down? We’ve got the info.
This weekend you can browse at your own pace at the Milago condos (btw, have you visited Rainey Street recently?), Towers of Town Lake, 360 condos, Spring, and the Austonian sales center.
Sunday
1) 54 Rainey St, #501, 2bd, 2ba, $369,900, 12-3pm [Pacesetter] map
2) 40 N Interstate-35, #11A3, 2bd, 2ba, $584,000, 2-4pm [Turnquist] map
3) 360 Nueces St, #2508, 1bd, 1ba, $287,500 11-2pm [Platinum Realty] map
4) 360 Nueces St, #1810, 1bd, 1ba, $279,800 2-4pm [Urbanspace] map
5) 300 Bowie St, Spring sales center, model units, 1-5pm map website
6) 200 Congress Ave, Austonian sales center located at 300 W 6th, 12-5pm map website
Don’t see the properties you’re interested in? Ask a Realtor who lives and works in downtown Austin.
This week and next, downtown Austin patrons will begin seeing sneak peaks of what’s to come for Art Week Austin. Local artist Carlos Rosales-Silvas is creating three storefront installations in the 2nd Street District. The first two have been completely installed and the third will go up early next week.
Rosales-Silvas’ installations are the first chapter in “One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” an exhibition curated by the team Cook&Ruud, that presents new and site-specific work in available storefronts and public spaces throughout the 2ND Street District and in Republic Square Park. The second phase, a group exhibition that explores the dynamics of the neighborhood, including its past, present, and future, opens April 21st as part of Art Week Austin and continues through May 28th.
Thanks to Jordan at Giant Media for the heads up!
Jude @ the Austonian (55th floor, southeast corner)
After several weeks of the weather foiling our plans, myself and KevinFromTexas at SkyscraperPage, were escorted to the 55th floor of the Austonian where we could take photos of the building’s city views (they kindly asked us to not take photos of the interiors until they were complete). As has been common this season, a storm started rolling in as we were setting up, and the wind was a little too intense for this photographer’s novice hand to get the tripod to support itself. I think we came through with some interesting perspectives. If you’re interested in more photos of the Austonian, make sure to checkout SkyscraperPage’s Austonian Thread and Flickr. Thanks to Cile, Sarah, and Trey at the Austonian for facilitating the tour!
You can see the 55th floor terraces here – this amazing photo is taken from the crane positioned high above the top of the building!
-Jude
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- Entire penthouse purchased by Tom Meredith
The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA) hosted its monthly happy hour at the Austin Urban Vet Center – a renovated 12,000 ft. building located at the corner of 5th Street and Rio Grande. I was provided with a grand tour by Dr. Greg Biehle. I’ve had pets most of my life and have visited many veterinary clinics. The Austin Urban Vet Center is an amazing facility. People should have it so good as what pets will experience here. Each dog is provided its own room, complete with cushion, warm lighting, adjustable height bowls, and television. Indeed, each room is equipped with a small flat screen TV tuned into Animal Planet.
This is much more than a vet, this is a resort for pets. If you live with pets in downtown Austin, make a point to stop by and become familiar with all the Austin Urban Vet Center has to offer.
Last evening, Amber and I enjoyed the weather and the view from mezzanine deck at the Shore condos. Nights like this are a great opportunity to appreciate downtown Austin, Texas – and practice with my new Nikon D40. 
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- Crown of Frost Bank at dusk
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- Lady Bird Lake and Congess Ave bridge
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- stair steppin’ sunset
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![Frost Bank [leaning photographer]](http://downtownaustin.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/dsc_0189.jpg?w=90&h=59 "Frost Bank")
- Frost Bank [leaning photographer]
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- stair steppin’ evening
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- Lakeside Apartments
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- Through the glass
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- Four Seasons
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- San Jacinto Center
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- View of Austonian Penthouse
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- Frost Bank at dusk
Photo by BOKA Powell
Austin’s W Hotel’s monolithic gray & glass facade is arguably the sleekest and sexiest of the luxury bunch. DAB headed to the W Austin’s “topping off” party last night with hopes of snapping some view photos. Unfortunately, by the time the fire marshal allowed guests into the structure the sun had already set. Apologies for the dark photos, but you can still get a sense for the night time views from the 31st floor, including the new illumination on the Austonian. A few other downtown pics included from earlier in the day.
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