Archives for 2009

Sage Austin Condos Going To Auction

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

[non-downtown news]

I just learned that the Sage condos on South Lamar (about a mile south of Alamo Ritz) will be auctioned off on Saturday, August 22nd by J.P. King. This is the second auction announcement this week as the Bel Air condos on South Congress will go to auction on Sunday, August 9th.

The Sage has 32 units total, 24 will be auctioned, 10 will be sold through absolute auction (i.e. without reserve). It is a great time to be a buyer. Details on previewing access and opening bids are sparse. More to come.

-Jude

Reburbia – A Suburban Design Competition

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

This is interesting. How would you re-envision Americas suburbs?

“In a future where limited natural resources will force us to find better solutions for density and efficiency, what will become of the cul-de-sacs, cookie-cutter tract houses and generic strip malls that have long upheld the diffuse infrastructure of suburbia?”

Anyone can enter the competition. Entries must be submitted by August 1st.

Re-Burbia website

904 West Ave Details Emerging

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

Yesterday, I received more details about the downtown Austin apartment-to-condo conversion at 904 West Ave. They managed to squeeze 33 units into their plan: 31 one-bedrooms and two commercial spaces. The units begin at 429sf and increase in size to [a sprawling] 744sf. The target average price is close to $360/ft and an average unit cost of $220,000 +/-. Here is an example of a floor plan.

I’m skeptical about these prices. Buyers have other less expensive options in central Austin neighborhoods. For instance, at 2020 condos on South Congress, a similar apartment-to-condo conversion originally constructed in the 1960s, units can be had for $99,000. Though quality issues have been rumored at 2020 Congress.

To be fair, the rendering indicates 904 West Ave is aiming high in terms of design and I haven’t seen any details on the finish outs. I’m looking forward to seeing more from 904 West Ave.

-Jude

904 West Ave

Jude Galligan | July 15, 2009 |

Not much is being released about the 904 West Ave apartment-to-condo conversion. The two-story complex originally constructed in the 1960’s should yield 22 units +/- depending on floor plans. The sign indicates the units will start at $160k and will be ready by the fall. From the street it appears they are still in the demolition phase of construction. No floor plans nor pricing have been released (I’ve inquired).

Located in the “Original Austin Neighborhood”, 904 West Ave part of a great downtown Austin neighborhood – equidistant to West 6th as are the 360 condos, Duncan Park is around the corner, and I would enjoy walking to Emerald City Press each morning.

Before he earned the position of Austin City Councilmember, Chris Riley had prepared an interactive map of OAN that includes the history of some great properties – very cool!

904 West Ave has a splash page, but not many details currently.

-Jude

The Castle On The Hill

Jude Galligan | July 14, 2009 |

Have you driven down Baylor Street? It’s a curious place. There is a vacated street between 9th and 10th. There is a strange concrete structure that resembles something out of Blade Runner. Above this curiosity sits a castle which is part of the “Nice Turret No Moat” subdivision which was established in 1885. I did some digging around and this is what I found.

1008 Baylor
This is the 1.2 acre site of an unfinished mixed-use project. Owned by Rooknoll LLC which is managed by Victor Ayad and local developer/architect Dick Clark. This unfinished foundation work dates back to a 1980s condo project. In 2007, Austin City council approved the upzoning of the the lot on Baylor to accommodate a small mixed-use development. But it’s doubtful anything will be done with it soon.

1008 Baylor St - notice the castle in the background

1111 W 11th “The Castle”
Also owned by Rooknoll, LLC, this is the former Texas Military Institute castle. In fact, this property is likely the root of the neighborhood named “Castle Hill”. For decades it has been used on and off as a residence or office. The view of downtown is spectacular. It appears occupied right now, but as recently as a couple of years ago it made for interesting an subject for local urban explorers. The structure is the oldest existing college building in Texas.

There is much more history to both of these properties, so please feel free to share what you know. The zoning map below shows that many of the properties on Baylor are zoned for small multifamily use, but I haven’t found much information on the raison d’etre for the vacated street.

-Jude

sources:
-traviscad.org
-http://www.bravahouse.com/neighborhood.html
-flickr for “texas military institute”
-http://www.cityofaustin.org/edims/document.cfm?id=112057
-http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/tmi.htm (this is a very fun site!)
-http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/kbt17.html