Wait for the climax. Hilarious….
Did You Have This Discussion When Moving Downtown?
by | September 20, 2010 |8 Comments
Time Lapse Video: Downtown Austin W Hotel Construction
by | January 22, 2010 |2 Comments
We have Jose Lozano from SkyscrperPage to thank for this awesome time lapse video of the construction of Austin’s W Hotel and Residences in the 2nd Street District.
Downtown Austin TV: Main & Main – Sixth @ Congress
by | May 19, 2009 |1 Comment
Downtown Austin Apartments: 404 Rio Grande
by | March 21, 2009 |Leave a Comment
Continuing this week’s theme of apartment reviews…
404 Rio Grande is the oft neglected apartment complex in the core of downtown Austin. (Gmap) It doesn’t evoke the same reaction as the Monarch or AMLI on 2nd. Still, 404 Rio Grande, at the corner of West 5th and Rio Grande, has one of the best locations in downtown Austin. The rents are cheaper, too. Unlike the new high rises parking is included for you and your guests.
Don’t expect the finishes to be similar to Monarch, its next door neighbor. It would be easy to frown upon 404 Rio Grande’s faux-hardwood-laminate flooring and white appliances while paying a substantial rent. Washer and dryer are not included. Still, the loft style design of AMLI is not preferred by everyone, and 404 Rio Grande’s units are cozy – ultimately you are paying for location.
So, if your budget or desires don’t call for a 24-hour concierge or loft-like design, you might consider 404 Rio Grande. After incentives, which constantly change at every building, one-bedrooms begin around $1300 and two-bedrooms around $1900. The biggest challenge for a renter interested in 404 Rio Grande is availability. 404 Rio Grande has been fully occupied for a couple of years so, unlike the new high rises, availability depends on someone moving out.
If you are considering a move downtown, feel free to give me a call!
Jude Galligan, Downtown Austin Realtor
judegalligan [@] gmail.com
(512) 226-3414
5th Street Commons
by | March 18, 2009 |1 Comment
This morning the I visited the folks at 5th Street Commons. They kindly invited me for a tour of their new digs, and to discuss the incentives currently available to renters. Located on the outskirts of downtown Austin, the 150 apartments at the 5th Street Commons are sufficiently close enough to downtown to be included here.
What I like:
1) Ground floor retail and street side parking. Once fully occupied with commercial tenants this should become another walkable district.
2) Smart floor plans. At only 759/ft, the A1 plan is incredibly spacious with enough room for a dining table, kitchen island, and laundry room – without feeling cramped.
3) It’s equidistant to Whole Foods as the Sabine, and closer than Legacy on the Lake, Milago, etc.
4) Standard size washer and dryer included in all units
With advertised incentives, the rents are roughly 10-20% less than AMLI on 2nd or Monarch. Accounting for two months of free rent on a 12 month lease, one bedrooms should begin around $1300 (studios even less), two-bedrooms around $1700.
-Jude
Texaplex!!!!!!
by | March 17, 2009 |Leave a Comment
This Texas meme has been circling for a couple of days. Cool video discussing Texas’s economic engine – 75% of the state’s population exists in the triangle formed by San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.
From the Texaplex website
“The global financial crisis is a vicious cycle. The more we hear and talk about it, the worse it gets. However, in spite of all the national bad news, Texas is prospering! Texas, and in particular the Texaplex, has some pretty impressive facts that most Texans weren’t even aware of. This video is part of the Texaplex project which has set out to change that.”
Impostors?
by | February 13, 2009 |Leave a Comment
Capitalism is alive and well in downtown Austin.
KVUE is reporting on “parking lot impostors” that pretend to work for the parking company and take your money. I prefer to call these people disenfranchised capitalistic carnival barkers. According to KVUE.com “Parking lot impostors in downtown Austin are costing customers and parking lot owners money. Police say the issue generates more complaints downtown than any other. KVUE’s Jim Bergamo reports.” In addition to being scammed for your cash, you’re likely to be towed, too. This video is not news to anyone that spends time downtown, but it’s nice to see some coverage in the mass media.
The guys waiving you into a public parking space are another breed of bum-preneur. You know the guys waving their arms along 5th street offering you a public parking space with the additional bonus of them looking after your car if you could spare some change.
link to video
The Tragedy of Suburbia
by | February 7, 2009 |7 Comments
In this video, James Howard Kunstler tells you why suburbia hasn’t been delivering on what it’s been promising: a respite from the industrial city.
The automobile created the opportunity to own a “country” house. As more people purchased cars, more people also wanted to purchase homes outside the city. What happened is the modern suburban experience became a cartoon of the original desire to have a “country” house outside of the city.
Kunstler advocates sustainability through living locally. Love this guy’s passionate delivery.
NSFW for language
According to his TED conference bio:
“James Howard Kunstler may be the world’s most outspoken critic of suburban sprawl. He believes the end of the fossil fuels era will soon force a return to smaller-scale, agrarian communities — and an overhaul of the most destructive features of postwar society.”
Bike Messenger Culture
by | February 5, 2009 |Leave a Comment
**Downtown Austin Blog has been given special access to the amazing PBS Downtown TV series. Thanks, DAA!**
One of my favorite clips from the Downtown TV program is the story about Downtown Austin bike messengers. Though I never got into the whole narrow handle-barred-10-speed-sans-brakes thing, I did grow up riding Haros and trying to do tailwhips.
These guys know Downtown Austin like most people never will. They know where everything is and understand the hidden paths to get there. Oh, according to the video, don’t ride your bike past Little City cafe and not expect to be judged by the messengers waiting on their next call.
[clearspring_widget title="Widget" wid="48f6083258e35f91" pid="498b44ea77a8ae15" width="400" height="275" domain="widgets.clearspring.com"]
Recent Comments
who is the owner and when does agora open?
so who is the owner of AGORA? and when does it open?
RT @downtown_austin: Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin http://t.co/JShbC7Os
Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin: The focus is on... http://t.co/KHCIn4aR via @downtown_austin
Do you have any idea how far down they can go? For a national archive, I would think they would ...
Here's Jacob Dodson, a mighty pun-off competitor... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deLVAbO7aFg
RT @downtown_austin: BY THE NUMBERS: Downtown Austin Highrise Sales http://t.co/UWgieAkJ
RT @downtown_austin: BY THE NUMBERS: Downtown Austin Highrise Sales http://t.co/D8rhUTu7
Specific sales data is reserved for our clients. Any REALTOR, myself included, can assist you outside of the blog.
Is there a place where the February sales and re-sales are disclosed? I appreciate the trending graph, but seeing the ...
I have known Jeff for 5 years, and became a fan when I tried the products at their Arboretum Store. ...
I would have MUCH rather seen Royal Blue Spirits open up in that spot. Ahh.....Oil! Hope they do well Downtown.
Economics... I always think the same, and come to the conclusion that the markups must be quite healthy.
New Oil & Vinegar Retail Concept Opening Across from The W in Downtown Austin http://t.co/USypF172
Great post I really like this concept, especially the incorporation of the hotel element into the residential tower. I have ...