Downtown Austin Districts

New Rainey Street Apartment Tower Proposed: The Austin Skyhouse

Jude Galligan | January 10, 2012 |

According to an administrative site plan application filed with the city, the Austin Skyhouse is a proposed downtown Austin mixed-use apartment tower at 47 Rainey Street. If built, the tower could deliver 15,000ft of retail and 320 apartments to downtown Austin’s red hot rental market.

The ~1.4 acre site, shown below, is directly north of the Legacy apartments (187 units), and across the street from the Milago Condos (240 units). The CBD zoned property has long been expected to be developed into a tower, so this shouldn’t be received with much surprise.

According to the application: “The applicant is proposing to construct Apt. Tower/Retail and Garage/Retail with associated improvements.” The applicant is familiar to downtown Austin development – Novare/Andrews Urban – the same team who developed the successful 360 Condos.

Since Milago has the dominant lake and city view for the first twelve floors, we’ll hopefully see a tall tower over podium design where most of the units’ views would clear Milago’s roof. Given the parking challenges in the Rainey Street district, perhaps we’ll see extra parking included in the design which could be available to visitors to the neighborhood.

This is the latest of several proposed downtown Austin high rise projects catering to renters. Riverside Resources is under construction of their 20 story building at 3rd Street & San Jacinto. 7 Rio looks like it is being repurposed as a rental product and could break ground this year.

(UPDATE 1: Novare is building the Skyhouse concept in Atlanta on what looks to be a similarly configured site. UPDATE 2: we’ve confirmed the tower will be 23 stories and could break ground as early as May.)

Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

Jude Galligan | December 16, 2011 |

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 and E 6th Street. Yesterday, we were excited to learn that CAMPO approved funding for Austin bike share system.

CAMPO has also awarded $2.7 million for the construction of a Sabine Street promenade, that will involve the development of sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian amenities between downtown Austin’s 4th and 7th Streets.

This idea was originally framed as part of the implementation of the Waller Creek District Master Plan. It progressed last year as the mobility bond package was approved by voters, and the Sabine Street promenade was bundled with improvements planned for “dirty 6ixth”, ostensibly to provide connectivity between Waller Creek and Congress Ave by way of Austin’s most historic street. [Read more…] about Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

Budare’s Serves Breakfast To Rainey Street Residents Hungry For More

Jude Galligan | December 5, 2011 |

The newest addition to Rainey Street’s eclectic mix of repurposed bungalows is a backyard trailer named Budare’s serving … drum roll… BREAKFAST!

The sign has been up for a couple of weeks, but it was the sight this morning of my vacant refrigerator that got me motivated to walk 100 yards to a warm meal.

I ordered two visayas tortas with turkey and a bottle of water. $9.50 total and worth every penny on this cold morning.

It’s news anytime something other than a bar opens on Rainey Street and Budare’s modest menu is a welcome addition.

Budare’s is on the way to work for many of you at Milago Condos, the Shore Condos, or the Windsor apartments. You can check them out at 75 Rainey Street. EZ street parking in the morning from 6AM to 10AM. BONUS: you can call in your order at 512-487-6791. [Read more…] about Budare’s Serves Breakfast To Rainey Street Residents Hungry For More

THE NOOK: New Bar To Fill A Hole On E. 6th Street

Jude Galligan | November 11, 2011 |

Based on the TABC application mounted to the facade, 309 E 6th Street could become productive again. The applicant, “The Nook“, is seeking a “Mixed Beverage-Late Hours” permit.

Prior to some dedicated stewardship from 6ixth Street Austin’s board of directors (notably Tim League’s cadre of creative support, Wild About Music’s Fred Schmidt, and 6ixth Street Austin Executive Director, Josh Allen) all that remained at 309 E 6th Street was a hole – a legacy from the summer of 2002 when the Black Cat Lounge burned down. For years a chain link fence guarding the site added to the blight around “Dirty Sixth”.

The building’s Houston-based owners, George and Mark Santikos, worked with 6ixth Street Austin to erect a colorful temporary facade depicting “Austin, Texas Live Music Capitol of The World” which blocks the view of building carnage. That sign has become one of the most recognizable and photographed things in downtown Austin. [Read more…] about THE NOOK: New Bar To Fill A Hole On E. 6th Street

What Type Of Retail Will Replace The AMOA?

Jude Galligan | November 9, 2011 |

With downtown Austin’s AMOA no longer exhibiting at 823 Congress Ave, what will fill the void? Most stakeholders I know are hoping for retail.

The corner space includes 12,000 square feet, lots of glass (fenestration for the urbanistas), and has a nice outside plaza.

It’s clear what is missing from the downtown retail mix: a large destination retail store that appeals to a broad base of customers; rather than a boutique store with a limited audience.

Will us downtown Austin condo dwellers get our wish for a Breed & Company or Target (don’t hate!). Time will tell. Until then it’s fun to speculate about how to achieve highest and best use of this great space.

What do you want to see? Use the comments and see more pics after the jump. [Read more…] about What Type Of Retail Will Replace The AMOA?