development

ZOMG – Topfer Theatre at ZACH Theatre Brings Austin Theatre Back to the Forefront of Austin Culture

AG | September 19, 2012 |

I was lucky enough to be invited to a personal tour of ZACH Theatre’s new mainstage, The Topfer (pronounced top-fur) Theatre earlier this week. This theatre allows ZACH to truly make the jump from a small professional theatre to premiere regional theatre by providing a new, state of the art performance facility as part of downtown Austin’s already growing culture and arts scene. Downtown Austin needs a real regional theatre, and this structure and the excitement it will bring to the theatre and arts community is a huge step in the right direction.

Per an article in the Austin Chronicle (link) – ZACH Theatre had been contemplating building a third theatre in its complex as early at 1985, when they held over some funds from that year’s bond election to help fund building a third theatre. In 2000, the economy stalled, putting the project on hold, but, through a kick-start of funding of $10 million through the 2006 City of Austin bond election, and then fueled by direct private donation – the project was revived in 2007. Overall, it’s a $22 million project, and they still need to raise about $2 million for completion.

The ZACH Theatre compound falls within the Zilker Neighborhood Association, but it is easily accessible to downtown Austin condos and homes and, really, feels like a part of downtown to many. I was told the ZNA was supportive the variances Zach Scott needed to build the Topfer Theatre.

As a college Theatre Major and all around theatre nerd, I was soooooo impressed with the Topfer Theatre and Kuykendall Stage.

Some tidbits:

Celebrated Austin actress Karen Kuykendall has her ashes kept under the stage, isn’t that crazy?! (What’s even crazier is that there are no “r”s in “Kuykendall”!)
The Topfer Theatre has a LEED Silver Certification
Over 70 new parking spots have been added to the ZACH Theatre compound
40 new trees were added to the lot, as well
The AC and other mechanical components of the theatre have a separate foundation from the stage – this is to minimize any possibility of noise and rumbling during performances.
The theatre’s design is taken from the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago (the house is a little narrower)
The theatre house seats ~420
The theatre was designed by the same architects who did The W – Andersson-Wise Architects

Now, for the good stuff – the pictures (please note that the theatre is still having final touches done to it – not fully finished yet)!

The first floor lounge, where they will have a full bar and concessions.

The magnificent house of the Topfer Theatre. I die.

One of 4 actor dressing rooms. Nice digs.

This is where the two foundations in the Topfer Theatre meet. To reduce any possibility of noise interference during productions, the theatre has all of its clink and rumble-prone machinery put on a separate foundation.

The women’s restroom at the Topfer Theatre. Quite an upgrade from the old theatre!

The interior of the 2nd story sky lounge in the Topfer Theatre.

The view from the 2nd story sky lounge at the Topfer Theatre. At night, it’s supposed to be even more incredible. Imagine sipping a cocktail with this view!

Be on the lookout for performance of famous balcony scenes to happen at this exterior, front-facing balcony of the theatre. I’m also told that the balcony will actually end up being made of glass, rather than the metal pictured here.

For more incredible pictures and theatre fun facts – check out Bryan Kosarek’s Gay in Austin Texas Blog.

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Interested in searching for Austin homes for sale in or near Downtown Austin? Be sure to check out our property search to view Austin homes for sale.

Additionally, here are some condominiums in Downtown Austin that are near the theatre – to learn more about these individual buildings, visit their pages:

New Apartment Tower At 97 Trinity?

Jude Galligan | August 9, 2012 |

Based on conceptual plans filed with the City of Austin, national real estate developer Wood Partners could be entering the downtown Austin apartment market with a tower at the southeast corner of Trinity @ Cesar Chavez. Recently, it was announced that the one-acre site was sold from Hixon Properties to World Class Capital Group.

The plans refer to the project as “Trinity Place.”

Even with the Lakeside apartments to the south, a 6-9 story structured parking garage would allow clear lake views for most of a residential tower. Lakeside is an aging structure, so perhaps this is an opportunity for the City to partner with a developer to provide a modernized affordable housing component. Also, I think the Convention Center could be interested this site for future expansion. Either way, it’s exciting to see something happening on this site.

trinity_place_conceptual — Trinity Place conceptual footprint – Cesar Chavez @ Trinty (pdf)

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

AG | May 23, 2012 |

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 I-35 in the Rainey Street District. The project has been in the works for over 8-years, but was officially approved in 2010, and construction is expected to be complete in 2013. And while the driver and primary purpose of this project is for [Read more…] about Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin

Sutton Company Proposes Towers In Rainey Street District

Jude Galligan | April 18, 2012 |

The Statesman broke the story publicly yesterday that the Sutton Company intends to build a multi-tower 40+ story mixed-use project at the north end of the Rainey Street District. The assemblage includes 9-10 lots wrapping Rainey Street, Driskill Street, and East Ave. We’ve mocked-up a footprint of the site (below).

The renderings show two point towers, both over 40 stories, and a third office tower in the background. As a Downtown/Rainey Street neighbor, I’d love to see this project happen. This is exactly the type of concept envisioned for Rainey back when zoning was changed to CBD.

This is the second major residential concept proposed for the Rainey Street District within the past couple of months. The other being the Austin Skyhouse proposed by Andrews Urban/Novare. If built, a portion of the ad valorem taxes from these projects would contribute to the Waller Creek TIF district.

Coming Soon: The Changing Face Of The Railyard District

Jude Galligan | March 21, 2012 |

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 at Max’s Wine Dive.

For decades, the district has been anchored by the Railyard condos, and recently flanked by the Four Seasons. Soon, these will not be the only full time residences.

In the past couple of years we’ve seen improvements and new businesses open in the neighborhood, including AF1 Racing, Vince Young Steakhouse, Hank’s Garage (which is gone), and Skinny’s Ballroom.

Walking around a post-SXSW absent is the hyper-pedestrianism of the past 10 days, and I observe a “coming soon” sign. I see more as I keep walking. In one lap around the Railyard district, I counted nine businesses or projects “coming soon”!

Nine!

What’s COMING SOON to the Railyard District? [Read more…] about Coming Soon: The Changing Face Of The Railyard District