Austin's urban growth.... (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: movies, colleges, price)

[mark311]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Thank for the update! Last time I was in the Domain I got lost trying to find a store. It's grown so much.

I was a bit surprised myself when we first checked it out around January. The link below has a pretty good write-up on Rock Rose.

https://austin.eater.com/2016/1/11/1...main-rock-rose

[CT_ATX]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

It's pushing North too, up Burnet Rd and Lamar. The Domain is becoming its own standalone "2nd city" center, though not a nightlife hub.

I figured as much. I live on the south end, so I haven't been up there in a while.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by mark311

Actually, the newish Rock Rose area of the Domain has definitely turned into a nightlife hub for those of us in the North burbs. It's a bit more upscale, but Friday and Saturday nights are pretty lively on the North side of the Domain for dining and bars. This has just happened in the past year.

Yes, we took note of that in recent weeks. Our Happy Hour group (mostly retired state bureaucrat oldfarts) has met in some of the Domain restaurants for several years, but the wife & I had not really been aware of what was going in over in the new sections.
BTW - we met at Blackfinn's several weeks ago, and I just heard it has closed since then. That place and the Daily Grill (also shuttered) were some of our HH destinations. Guess we'll have to check out some of the newer joints.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by mark311

I was a bit surprised myself when we first checked it out around January. The link below has a pretty good write-up on Rock Rose.

https://austin.eater.com/2016/1/11/1...main-rock-rose

Yeah I went there for the closer than downtown Turf and Surf Po-boy and found an interesting district where parking is free and there are actually pretty nice restaurants and clubs. I had gotten tired of downtown's increasing downtown parking rates.

The only thing I dislike is the clientele seem a bit more Scottsdale than Austin. I do like the design of the district. The original road of the Domain was poorly designed, the second road was even worse of a design but the new section is very well designed and has a city feel.

[Austinite76]

Originally Posted by cBach

Yeah I went there for the closer than downtown Turf and Surf Po-boy and found an interesting district where parking is free and there are actually pretty nice restaurants and clubs. I had gotten tired of downtown's increasing downtown parking rates.

The only thing I dislike is the clientele seem a bit more Scottsdale than Austin. I do like the design of the district. The original road of the Domain was poorly designed, the second road was even worse of a design but the new section is very well designed and has a city feel.

That "plastic" version of Austin is essentially what the OP is promoting in the South Congress/Lamar/First area.

[CT_ATX]

Originally Posted by Austinite76

That "plastic" version of Austin is essentially what the OP is promoting in the South Congress/Lamar/First area.

I assume that will slowly get developed into something. It's hard to imagine it ever being too fancy though just because of what is there now. It's weird to think that it is about 6 miles from the end of Congress at Southpark Meadows to Elizabeth street. Along that route though is lots of empty space. Maybe the value is there for development and maybe it isn't. Either way though, it's doubtful they would build anything like the Domain along it.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Austinite76

That "plastic" version of Austin is essentially what the OP is promoting in the South Congress/Lamar/First area.

I'm okay with the Domain because it was placed on a spot that was located by fields when I first moved here.

What I don't like is Domain-like developments replacing mom and pop stores.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by cBach

I'm okay with the Domain because it was placed on a spot that was located by fields when I first moved here.

What I don't like is Domain-like developments replacing mom and pop stores.

Agreed. The domain was a master planned (righty?) development where space was planned for these developments. It's not coming into an area and saying "we want you all to be hip with these new stores, bars and shops," like so many things are in other areas of the city.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

Agreed. The domain was a master planned (righty?) development where space was planned for these developments. It's not coming into an area and saying "we want you all to be hip with these new stores, bars and shops," like so many things are in other areas of the city.

Yes, the Domain is probably the perfect example of infill that works. The area was zoned commercial and light industrial so what is there is an improvement over what was there or could possibly there. Although the Domain feels Scottsdale-ish, it is a perfect example of urban planning. A++ on that one.

On the other hand, most of the development is not a perfect example. This is probably the worst offender:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2579...7i13312!8i6656 (Old Armadillo World Headquarters)

Or in the google maps era:

before:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2599...!7i3328!8i1664

after:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2599...7i13312!8i6656

(It's a shame what happened to RunTex, I used to like that place)

Or (this one was sad to me, I liked Fran's burgers):
before:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2455...7i13312!8i6656

after:
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2455...7i13312!8i6656

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

That right there. Why on earth would we want to see Austin turned into a clone of "the Bay Area"?

And FWIW, Austin has had an opera house of one kind or another since the "cowboy" days. They just ain't as big & fancy as the world class venues, but the fat lady has sung aplenty here in Waterloo.

There have been several albums that were recorded at the Austin Opry House on Academy Street. One of Waylon Jennings best selling albums was "Waylon Live" was recorded mostly at the Austin Opry House in 1974.

I remember an Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band concert at the Austin Opry House around 1985, Emmylou and her Hot Band did a Cajun song and Emmylou sang in Cajun French. The title of the song was "LaCasine Special". After they finished, Emmylou said "recorded live right here in Austin, Texas" and the crowd went wild....About 10 years ago, Emmylou's classic albums from the 70's were remastered and re-released with bonus tracks. One of the bonus tracks on "Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town" is a live version of "LaCasine Special" There is no mention of Austin or the Opry House on the recording or in the credits listed in the liner notes. I can't prove it, but I'm pretty sure this version is the version that was recorded that night at the Austin Opry House.