New Highrise Condo for Alamo Heights area. (Houston, Dallas: 2009, leasing)

[googie2525]

Originally Posted by urbansa

The old USAA, now ATT, bldg is iconic architecture, often noted by AIA surveys as one of San Antonio's more notable bldgs. The Broadway is off the shelf Dallas architecture, a production design distilled down to something that can be built for the lowest possible cost and net the most possible sellable SF. High dollar finishes and "nice" to be sure, but no one labored over how it relates to the street, its surroundings, etc. If succesful, I would bet its twin, with a tweak or two here or there, will be plunked down on the site off Devine and Hildebrand. Whether you like or dislike the ATT bldg, at least its architecture and not engineering with a skin.

Agreed on the old USAA bldg. (now ATT) 100%, an amazing structure. Here's a page right out of the AIA San Antonio book "San Antonio Architecture (traditions and visions)":

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...e1971/USAA.jpg

As for the Broadway, well, I really wish they would've had the foresight to hire a more vibrant/cutting-edge architectural firm like Lake/Flato or Ken Bentley & Associates, etc. to design it. It's a pretty bland looking building, and will not "age gracefully" IMO - it'll have that dated look in 10-15 years (think stuccoed mid-1980's strip mall, or all those boring early 90's medical center office buildings...well, maybe not that bad ). BUT, being a huge fan of Earl Abel's, I do though feel NOW (I was aghast when I heard they were tearing down Earl Abels, for months, I mean, I was P***ED!) that it'll be a good thing for the Broadway/Downtown SA corridor - it'll get Broadway (from Hildebrand to Houston St.) kickstarted quicker, ya know? Get Manhke Park going full-throttle, attract higher-end business along that strip, better eateries, more $$$ spread in the general area, etc. The end justifies the means in this particular case...I HOPE!

BTW, the "new" Earl Abels ain't that bad, same food, has that same vibe (well, sorta), etc., although I really do miss the old building, it was a major part of my childhood (along with the nearby Luby's across from Central Market).

[Eleanor Rigby]

I love the teal. One day, I'm going to have one of those retro fridges in that color!

[ShaneSA]

I read in the paper that ground has been broken on The Broadway and visible construction will be apparent soon.

[oldmanshirt]

Originally Posted by ShaneSA

I read in the paper that ground has been broken on The Broadway and visible construction will be apparent soon.

It's not visible from Broadway, but if you drive on Hildebrand east of Broadway, you can see they've made a lot of progress digging for the parking garage and concrete beams that will go below ground.

[trnmeon]

Why is it taking sooooooo long for this thing to be developed?

[imaterry78259]

Originally Posted by trnmeon

Why is it taking sooooooo long for this thing to be developed?

You are right , Austin has finished three condos since they announced this project

[googie2525]

Originally Posted by Eleanor Rigby

I love the teal. One day, I'm going to have one of those retro fridges in that color!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...e1971/blue.jpg

Pastense 50's retro appliances stoves refrigerators

...kinda pricey though - dang!

[TomBradyFan]

I don't know what you two are going on about.

These type of projects follow a schedule. It's not like you announce the project and begin building a week later.

Anyway, this project broke ground a long time ago and has been under construction for some time. The majority of that construction up until recently was digging and creating the underground parking.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...1/P2070001.jpg

The crane is now and has been in place for a while.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/...07dece39_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/...71c093b2_b.jpg

[jules07]

Originally Posted by leslie b

Is there a chance that this project might turn out to be apartments rather than condos? If I recall, lowest prices were in the $500K range (one bedroom condo). We like the area but would only want to rent.

I seriously doubt it. I know the saying "never say never", but if I were a gambler, I'd give ya 100 to 1 odds on it!

[smitty12]

Originally Posted by jules07

I seriously doubt it. I know the saying "never say never", but if I were a gambler, I'd give ya 100 to 1 odds on it!

I agree, but there might be some number of speculators who are buying up those condos that might want to rent them out for awhile while they appreciate in value.....