New tallest building planned for Austin (luxury, estate, architectural)

[hornraider]

Originally Posted by famv5

Every time I see that building, I feel like I need to straighten it out. Who thought that design was nice? It's like building something incorrectly with Legos.

Yeah, must have been an A&M architect..JK. I don't think the artists rendering does it any justice. It may be more appealing once constructed. Hopefully.
The amenities of The Independent look great though.

[AuburnAL]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

That pretty much sums it up well.



The Austin Business Journal has a survey online about the design and last time I looked it was 51/49 "Ugly". So I guess about half don't think it's ugly. I do think it looks off kilter and weird, but maybe in the world of architecture, with fragile egos at play, a "dramatic statement" is needed lest the skyscraper look "cookie cutter".

Steve

Thanks! I did my duty and voted against this monstrosity.

[Trainwreck20]

Although I can't say I like it (at least, so far), I have seen much worse. Frankly, I think it is a thinly-veiled attempt to make all the OCD people leave town.....

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

The Austin Business Journal has a survey online about the design and last time I looked it was 51/49 "Ugly". So I guess about half don't think it's ugly. I do think it looks off kilter and weird, but maybe in the world of architecture, with fragile egos at play, a "dramatic statement" is needed lest the skyscraper look "cookie cutter".

Steve

I went to the Austin Business Journal online and voted. It is still 51/49 ugly/not ugly. So lets all vote! (Not that it will make anyone change the design.)

[madrone2k]

From the rendering, I think that if one aligned the segments of this building, it would look rather plain. Consequently, I see the cantilevering as a gimmick.

Gimmicky buildings excite some people initially, especially those who are drawn to the "look at us, we're different and way cool!" way of thinking. Most of such designs -- that just exploit a gimmick to get attention -- don't stand the test of time. Admittedly, some do ... but most don't.

My guess is that this rendering is a marketing ploy and the final design will be more conventional. Kinda like the design evolution of the Hotel Alessandra in Houston, which evoked a similar discussion.

[JoninATX]

Now we're tied. I voted yes in which I like the design for The Independent. Gives it a more creative look imo.

[passionatearts]

I wish there were a "hell no" option for that ABJ poll. I would have chosen that in a heartbeat. Austin has some ugly buildings, but this is probably the ugliest one I've seen yet.

[sojourner77]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

Austin has some ugly buildings, but this is probably the ugliest one I've seen yet.

IDK - The Hobby is pretty tough to beat. Not just the building itself, but the havoc it creates with it's horrible street level circulation. I avoid the entire block because of this building.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by sojourner77

IDK - The Hobby is pretty tough to beat. Not just the building itself, but the havoc it creates with it's horrible street level circulation. I avoid the entire block because of this building.

I agree, this has got to be the worst building downtown.

[scm53]

If they wanted "distinctive", why didn't they do something like this: