Downtown Austin Blog

downtown Austin's real estate and neighborhood blog

Norwood House Has A Posse

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We’re supporters of preserving significant properties in Austin, Texas.  After years of decay, it appears that one such property is heading down the road to recovery, thanks to some passionate Austinites.  Live in Austin long enough, and eventually you’ll notice that abandoned bungalow structure on top of a hill at I-35 and Riverside.

Located at 1012 Edgecliff Terrace (gmap), the “Norwood House” didn’t always look this way.  Perched above the dog park, this property has majestic views of downtown Austin.  In 1985 it began to suffer the cruel bureaucratic fate of cost cutting, once the City of Austin took control.

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Around this time last year, DAB reported on Posse leader, Wolf Sittler’s work to bring private funds to the aid of restoring the house for the benefit of the city.  KXAN is reporting that enough money has been raised to begin removing asbestos roof.

One [great] idea being discussed is turning this into a rentable banquet space.  PARD is certainly open to the idea, and those cash flows could help finance the renovation.  Right now that’s just optimistic thinking and the Norwood House needs your support.  For more information, you can contact Wolf Sittler via www.restorenorwood.org.

-Jude

Welcome To Downtown Austin, Facebook!

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Hi Facebook, welcome to downtown Austin, Texas!

Hi Facebook,

Welcome to Downtown Austin!

You’re moving into your new office digs today [Monday, May 3rd] and we hope you’re as excited to be in our neighborhood as we are to have you.  Please make sure to support our local businesses like Royal Blue Grocery, Annies on Congress, The Hideout Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse, Wild About Music, and Estilo.  As you’re getting settled in you can get to know our various districts including, 2nd Street, Rainey Street, West 6th, East 6th, and the Warehouse District.

It’s easy to enjoy downtown Austin, but it’s also easy to take for granted Austin’s natural amenities.  So make sure to enjoy our Green Belts, McKinney Falls, Hamilton Pool, and Barton Springs.

-Jude

Link Round Up

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  1. Facebook moves into their downtown Austin offices at 300 W 6th Street, on Monday.  This building has 22 stories, built in 2002, and is pretty nice looking, though I never know what to call it.  It’s between Lavaca and Guadalupe, across from Belmont.  It will now be called the Facebook Building.  (ABJ)
  2. The site at 2nd and Congress, where that 1000 room hotel was to be built, still could end up with a hotel, just a different hotel, but right now they are just planning for a hotel.  Oh well.  (Statesman)
  3. If you didn’t catch it yesterday, the I35 Makeover is official, funded, and soon to be under construction. (DAB)
  4. Michael Barnes shares the A-List hotel bars in Austin.  Driskill #1, Four Seasons, #2.  I would agree with those for downtown.  Overlooked was the Finn & Porter lounge at the Hilton –  the upstairs lounge has an easy going and chilled out vibe.  (Austin360)

John On Rainey Street

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John Arley - songwriter

This is John Arley.  Singer/songwriter.  Hanging out on Rainey Street.

I was heading to El Naranjo for some din-din.  They were closed, but directly across the street, John was playing guitar and waved me (a total stranger) over.  Clearly he’d had a few beers, but was kind enough to offer me one.  After a long day, there’s nothing better than a cold beer and hanging out on your porch/lawn/terrace/etc.  I grabbed two beers and he commenced playing four original songs.  All of them really good.

It was interesting.  Lot’s of people walked by.  He invited everyone to hear a song, but nobody took the bait.  Most people are so caught up in their own world.  I let my guard down for a second, and glad I did, because I was able to join him in just relaxing with good music, company (even a stranger), and cold beer.  That’s what I love about Austin.  John says he doesn’t know how to use a computer, but if he ever manages to get online I hope he finds this.

“Thanks, John!”

-Jude

I-35 Makeover Project Approved & Funded

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cross section of I35 showing soon-to-be-installed lighting

Downtown Austin’s stretch of I-35 will receive some much needed improvements, confirming our report from September of last year.  Short of burying or capping I-35, these improvements are the best we can hope for.  A grant from Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB) will contribute $250,000 towards the landscaping.  City Council set aside $1.5MM in form of non-tax supported certificates of obligation (bonds, I guess?).  Revenues from the parking underneath the freeway (which will be completely redesigned) will also fund the project.

The project is expected to start in June and take approximately seven months.

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Below is a photo of Eastside Drive East Avenue, the boulevard predecessor of I35.

East Avenue before I-35