Downtown Austin Blog » austin lifestyle

Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin

amber gugino — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:59:53 +0000

The focus is on inclusion. That’s what Nicole Harmon of Core Health Foundation, a non-profit spin-off of Core Health (a for-profit facility focusing on rehabilitation of those suffering with brain injuries), tells me. The project is a fishing pier, located on the northern shore of Lady Bird Lake, just south of the Holiday Inn off [...]

Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin

O. Henry Pun Off at Brush Square Park in Downtown Austin May 19th

amber gugino — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:15:23 +0000

Yes. Yes, O. yes. It’s that time again, folks. Time for the 35th annual O. Henry Pun Off. Taking place this Saturday (May 19th, 2012) at the O. Henry Museum (adjacent to Brush Square), this delightful competition celebrates the pun with two separate competitions – Punniest in Show and Punslingers. However, a video is worth [...]

O. Henry Pun Off at Brush Square Park in Downtown Austin May 19th

New Oil & Vinegar Retail Concept Opening Across from The W in Downtown Austin

amber gugino — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:26:18 +0000

A unique boutique is opening its second location on May 10th, 2012, right across the street from The W Hotel and Residences on Lavaca (the first location is in The Arboretum, and opened in 2009) in Downtown Austin. No, it’s not another fancy dress store or whimsical gift shop. This time, it’s a niche retail [...]

New Oil & Vinegar Retail Concept Opening Across from The W in Downtown Austin

Artwork By Mike Johnston (The Day I Found Treasure At Austin Java)

Jude Galligan — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:46:42 +0000

On Saturday, I walked into Austin Java on 2nd Street, ’bout to get my omelet on. Chillaxin. There I was, standing in line, just looking around, and I realize that every piece of art work on the walls is making an impact on me. A flyer taped to the wall explained most of the artwork was [...]

Artwork By Mike Johnston (The Day I Found Treasure At Austin Java)

Coming Soon: The Changing Face Of The Railyard District

Jude Galligan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:10:02 +0000

Let it be known as the Railyard District, that part of downtown Austin, south of 5th Street and sandwiched between Congress Ave and the Austin Convention Center. You could straddle the convention center and include the area east, around Moonshine, too. It’s an interesting mix of conventioneers and locals, both feeding on chicken and waffles [...]

Coming Soon: The Changing Face Of The Railyard District

How cool it is to live downtown?

Jude Galligan — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:02:47 +0000

This picture captures so much of the vibrancy of our growing downtown. The photographer, friend David Gottlieb, has one of the best vantage points in the city: Spring condos. The influx of people for SXSW – traffic be damned – reminds me of what a 24/7 vibrant city looks and feels like. And, we’re getting [...]

How cool it is to live downtown?

Street Patio Experiment: Congress Ave @ Royal Blue Grocery

Jude Galligan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:47:15 +0000

I love this idea for downtown Austin. Convert two duck-in parking spaces in front of Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Ave, in order to improve the pedestrian experience and create a retail destination. “Street patios” have been implemented before in other cities, successfully, under the badge of “parklet” or “pop-up” cafe. Upon approval by Council, later [...]

Street Patio Experiment: Congress Ave @ Royal Blue Grocery

Downtown Austin Above The Clouds

Jude Galligan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:01:41 +0000

This morning’s cloud cover, captured by David Gottlieb. Thanks, David! Downtown Austin Above The Clouds

Downtown Austin Above The Clouds

Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

Jude Galligan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:59:03 +0000

Another win for Austin and a much needed boost for the neighborhood surrounding E. 6th Street. Back in September, DAB stopped just shy of begging readers to weigh in on CAMPO’s survey of the public about which projects should be awarded grants; specifically, advocating support for granting funds to Austin bike share and streetscape improvements to Sabine [...]

Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

10 Minutes From Rainey Street

Jude Galligan — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:19:46 +0000

Starting in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street neighborhood, we approximate the distance we can travel by foot, by bike, or by car in 10 minutes. You can try it, too, after the jump. 10 minutes is my mental tipping point for deciding on any of the above modes of transportation. On a hot summer day I [...]

10 Minutes From Rainey Street

La Boite Coming To Downtown Austin’s Old Bakery Park

Jude Galligan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:03:06 +0000

La Boite Cafe will soon occupy an underutilized downtown Austin open space. If you’ve driven down South Lamar recently, then you’ve no doubt seen the adaptively repurposed shipping container perched on the hilltop at Collier and S. Lamar. The open space pictured below, just north south of the Old Bakery, will be the 2nd La Boite [...]

La Boite Coming To Downtown Austin’s Old Bakery Park

Rainey Street Stakeholders Hug It Out Over OMV Permits

Jude Galligan — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:53:11 +0000

Despite the trend of obstructionist politics, private parties interested in progress will collaborate and compromise to reach an acceptable solution. Seeking a resolution to Outdoor Music Venue compatibility in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street District is a good example. Rainey Street is dominantly residential. Ironically, the incredible residential density is a result of permissive CBD zoning. [...]

Rainey Street Stakeholders Hug It Out Over OMV Permits

Forbidden Fruit Says Farewell To E. 6th Street District

Jude Galligan — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:38:47 +0000

Kinky sigh. A familiar icon of Austin small business, a lone downtown Austin retailer amidst a sea of E 6th Street bars, is shutting its downtown doors on August 28th. The ABJ reports that Forbidden Fruit is redirecting its efforts on a better performing store. From the article, owner Lynn Rairden says: “We have seen [...]

Forbidden Fruit Says Farewell To E. 6th Street District

Pics From DANA Social at Annie’s On Congress

Douglas Galloway — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:13:14 +0000

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 [...]

Pics From DANA Social at Annie’s On Congress

Downtown Austin Link Roundup

Jude Galligan — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:11:40 +0000

The news didn’t stop to take a breath this week, at least as it relates to downtown Austin. Lots of announcements, lots of speculation. These are the stories we’re following. 1) 219 West is moving from Warehouse district to West 6th Street, into the old Union Park space. (link) 2) In “how will they fit it [...]

Downtown Austin Link Roundup