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Archives for July 2011

Delayed Rainey Street Hotel Plans Finalized

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Hotel Van Zandt, proposed initially in parallel to The Shore Condos in Downtown Austin’s Rainey Street District in 2008, is still kicking.

Downtown Austin Blog reported in March that plans had been filed for the hotel, though it was unclear what scope the project had taken on. Today I confirmed the project will be 16 stories, about 180 feet, and about 320 units, plus 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a 5,000-square-feet of resturant office.

There will be about 159 [Read more…] about Delayed Rainey Street Hotel Plans Finalized

Another Boutique Hotel Planned For Congress Ave?

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It appears developers are pursuing a boutique hotel at the 800 block of Congress Avenue, in addition to one planned at the 400 block. We thought that once before, but this time different people are involved and it looks more certain.

The hotel, planned in the Bosche-Hogg Building — a historic building at Congress Avenue and Eighth Street plagued by low occupancy and bought out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy — will have 210 rooms and 120,000 square feet of office space, according to my intel. [Read more…] about Another Boutique Hotel Planned For Congress Ave?

No Tower of Babylonic Courthouse Until 2015?

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There is a presumption that buildings in downtown Austin financed with public money have a better shot of getting off the ground quicker than private ones.

That was the case among many hopefuls, perhaps, when Travis County purchased the former Austin Museum of Art block to build a skyscraper courthouse.

But Travis County Purchasing officer Cyd Grimes busted that myth in a recent article by InFactDaily, telling the subscriber political newsletter the project won’t break ground for three or four years.

“A lot of people have been pushing this (public-private partnership),” she said. “I’m not convinced that it’s going to be cheaper, better, or faster. I think if we went and borrowed the money and did either a Construction Manager at Risk, or a Design-Build, we would be quicker down the road.”

[Read more…] about No Tower of Babylonic Courthouse Until 2015?

New Renderings Of Park Plaza Tower

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Architect Ziegler Cooper has posted new renderings of Gables Park Plaza’s nascent mixed-use neighbor. Site plan approval from the city has been extended through February of 2012.

Near the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Lamar, back in the day this site was home to Cedar Door (910 Cesar Chavez) which was moved to Brazos @ 2nd.

I like the design. It successfully handles a few site specific challenges, notably a Capitol View Corridor and train track. Thanks to downtown resident Mitchell McGovern for the heads up! Pics after the jump…

[Read more…] about New Renderings Of Park Plaza Tower

Pics From DANA Social at Annie’s On Congress

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Thanks to Escobedo Esthetics and Annie’s Cafe for sponsoring this month’s Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association Happy hour! Escobedo just moved into the ground floor of the Spring Condos, and last night they brought with them a fancy skin care machine that yours truly experienced. Annie’s provided an outstanding spread of food, helpful staff, and terrific venue. [Read more…] about Pics From DANA Social at Annie’s On Congress

Mayor’s Chief of Staff Exits And Why You Should Care

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Casual observers of city hall, at first glance, might take little notice that Mark Nathan, Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s chief of staff, has announced his departure.

But it is a noteworthy event whenever an executive politician’s chief of staff exits. A chief of staff is the one who gets stuff done, while their boss is smiling for the camera. The office of chief of staff and the person holding it become synonymous.

To that point, the mayor said on his own website “Mark has been a driving force behind almost every major initiative we’ve undertaken.”

As a nerdish observer of City Hall, which is one level above casual, I can read into that a few ways, but the simplest is just to look at three things the mayor’s office has pushed in the past 12-16 months: A new downtown hotel, an urban rail system and the United States Grand Prix F1 race. (As for the F1 race, one could say Lee isn’t a “pusher” maybe just an adamant supporter. He was the only council member who wanted to approve the contract about 60 days ago, when his six other colleagues — including Randi Shade on her last day — voted to postpone the vote under threats it could blow the entire deal. That’s telling.) [Read more…] about Mayor’s Chief of Staff Exits And Why You Should Care

Bicycle Boulevard Progress

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Here are visible signs that the “Bicycle Boulevard” and the accompanying traffic calming improvements are taking shape.  After breakfast, yesterday, I snapped this photo of the construction at Rio Grande and 10th Street (POV is south along Rio Grande).

I really like this.  Traffic circles are… just… charming.  This should be complementary to the Original Austin neighborhood.

Rainey Street has one that I go around most days.  It seems to be effective.  They encourage drivers to pay more attention, and to interact with other drivers through gazes, gestures, and waves.

Hank’s: From Garage to Entrepreneur’s Dream

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Downtown Austin office workers, visitors, and residents have a new choice when it comes to grabbing a bite and a beer: Hank’s Garage.

Formerly Sister’s Edge II, a lesbian bar, and before that “The Cockpit,” an aptly-named gay bar, Hank’s instead caters to all people of all sexual orientations with a strong thirst for Belgian beer.

They have a whopping 32 beers on tap, such as Duchesse de Bourgogne, which will give Gingerman loyalists a run for their money, and some premium entrees.

Hank’s also offer something to the brunch crowd with a plate of two eggs — served your way — with potatoes and toast for an Abraham or an omelet for a couple extra Georgies.

The guy behind this, Jeffrey Kuhn, spent about three decades in the service industry, dabbling in finance and real estate as well.

Kuhn represents what is great about Austin and downtown. He’s bootstrapped this whole thing himself and spent about a year gutting Sister’s Edge by himself, in the process unearthing  remnants of when the building used to be a legit garage run by a mechanic named “Hank” almost 75 years ago.

Located at 115 San Jacinto (half block north of the Four Seasons), the renovation really dresses up the outside of the building, too. After you stop by, check out these photos of how the place looked as the Cockpit and Sister’s Edge. ¡Ay, caramba!

[Read more…] about Hank’s: From Garage to Entrepreneur’s Dream