I don't understand — what's wrong with high-rises downtown? I'd rather have people moving into lofts downtown than creating more suburban sprawl. It's not like those towers ruined a great view or anything. The developers who have ruined this city (arguably, with help from the local government, but even more from the Legislature) are the ones who keep paving over the Hill Country.
If only there were enough people to occupy all of these ultra high-end downtown "lofts" and condos, I'd almost agree with you, Lee. But there aren't. And yet buildings are still being torn down and lots are still being cleared for more and more and more of them. It's just insane.
HOlY CRAP! Just from a change perspective that is AMAZING!
I must admit, after living in a very central location like I do now, I really like the idea of selling my house eventually and moving to downtown Austin. I can't say I would go so far as to not have a car (it IS Texas after all) but I could certainly use it infrequently.
I think what I don't like about all this building is the "Houstonification" of Austin, the loss of the funk, but I do like the fact that the middle of town is finally being appreciated for what it is.
There's plenty of people to fill them. Austin is the second-fastest growing city in the nation. The only real question is the price. Ultra-high-end only goes so far. While I'm not exactly a flaming capitalist, I have faith that a good old fashioned "market correction" will bring those prices to where they should be. But you're right, we are currently seeing what the economists like to call "irrational exuberance." Somebody's going to take a bath on those things.
What does piss me off is that the coolest bars in downtown keep getting bulldozed for the condos. Gingerman, Waterloo Brewery, and I assume it's the reason Showdown had its lease yanked. I'm all for vertical mixed use development, but I don't understand why some of the "use" can't be cool bars.
Actually, the Dog & Duck threat is only theoretical, at this point. Yes, that block definitely seems like a good candidate for condo-ization, but they told me they just got their lease renewed for another year.
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I don't understand — what's wrong with high-rises downtown? I'd rather have people moving into lofts downtown than creating more suburban sprawl. It's not like those towers ruined a great view or anything. The developers who have ruined this city (arguably, with help from the local government, but even more from the Legislature) are the ones who keep paving over the Hill Country.
If only there were enough people to occupy all of these ultra high-end downtown "lofts" and condos, I'd almost agree with you, Lee. But there aren't. And yet buildings are still being torn down and lots are still being cleared for more and more and more of them. It's just insane.
HOlY CRAP! Just from a change perspective that is AMAZING!
I must admit, after living in a very central location like I do now, I really like the idea of selling my house eventually and moving to downtown Austin. I can't say I would go so far as to not have a car (it IS Texas after all) but I could certainly use it infrequently.
I think what I don't like about all this building is the "Houstonification" of Austin, the loss of the funk, but I do like the fact that the middle of town is finally being appreciated for what it is.
There's plenty of people to fill them. Austin is the second-fastest growing city in the nation. The only real question is the price. Ultra-high-end only goes so far. While I'm not exactly a flaming capitalist, I have faith that a good old fashioned "market correction" will bring those prices to where they should be. But you're right, we are currently seeing what the economists like to call "irrational exuberance." Somebody's going to take a bath on those things.
What does piss me off is that the coolest bars in downtown keep getting bulldozed for the condos. Gingerman, Waterloo Brewery, and I assume it's the reason Showdown had its lease yanked. I'm all for vertical mixed use development, but I don't understand why some of the "use" can't be cool bars.
And the Dog and Duck's days are numbered as well.
Actually, the Dog & Duck threat is only theoretical, at this point. Yes, that block definitely seems like a good candidate for condo-ization, but they told me they just got their lease renewed for another year.
It is making me nuts. I saw ANOTHER condo "coming soon" this morning and was so angry. What happened to Austin?
You should check out what is going on in Dubai. It is all about the aerial sprawl.
ODB
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