Austin | 311 W. 7th St. (Masonic Lodge Tower | Feet? | ~40-Stories | Proposed

[The ATX]

I posted the latest tallest projects list yesterday after Endeavor announced seven towers for their South Central Waterfront project.  I thought maybe that was it for a while.  But today we get another big project.  This one is for a 33-story tower built on top of an historic three-story masonic temple.  Here's the site from Streetview:  

 

Here are some renderings from the presentation to be shown at the Tuesday Historic Landmark Commission meeting:  

 

 

There are auto lifts to raise and lower vehicles to the parking levels.  The use was not made clear in the presentation posted online.  But it appears to be residential.

 

The Masonic building and three new levels will be used as an Atrium.  A 30+ story tower will set on top of the Atrium.

 

All of the renderings are from the presentation files:  

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322381

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322384

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322383

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322382

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322476

[Dr. B.]

6 hours ago, The ATX said:

I posted the latest tallest projects list yesterday after Endeavor announced seven towers for their South Central Waterfront project.  I thought maybe that was it for a while.  But today we get another big project.  This one is for a 33-story tower built on top of an historic three-story masonic temple.  Here's the site from Streetview:  

 

Here are some renderings from the presentation to be shown at the Tuesday Historic Landmark Commission meeting:  

 

 

There are auto lifts to raise and lower vehicles to the parking levels.  The use was not made clear in the presentation posted online.  But it appears to be residential.

 

The Masonic building and three new levels will be used as an Atrium.  A 30+ story tower will set on top of the Atrium.

 

All of the renderings are from the presentation files:  

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322381

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322384

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322383

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322382

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=322476

Smaller, but similar modification of a masonic building in Milwaukee.  https://archpaper.com/2018/02/historic-milwaukee-freemason-building-hotel/ 

 

[The ATX]

The Design Commission was not enamored with this project.  They basically told the developer to come back to July's meeting with a lot more info including better renderings and more height info. 

[The ATX]

The Historic Landmark Commission kicked this project to its August meeting which is next week because they wanted more info and better renderings from the developer.  We now know that it's about 40-stories.  It appears to be all office, and the height looks close to 600'.  Here are the new renderings:  

Austin Design Commission Presentation

[The ATX]

The Historic Landmark Commission liked the improvements made to the project since the last meeting.  But they are still not on board.  So we'll wait and see what tweaks the developer makes for the next meeting.

[The ATX]

Rev. 3 of this project is scheduled for discussion at Monday's Historic Landmark Commission.  I don't think the developer can get their approval.  This project is too "outside the box" for historical preservationists.  They would rather have an old building left in disrepair. 

Historic Landmark Commission Presentation

[carolinaboy]

On ‎9‎/‎20‎/‎2019 at 10:31 PM, The ATX said:

Rev. 3 of this project is scheduled for discussion at Monday's Historic Landmark Commission.  I don't think the developer can get their approval.  This project is too "outside the box" for historical preservationists.  They would rather have an old building left in disrepair. 

Historic Landmark Commission Presentation

Maybe the "skinny" portion above the existing brick portion (up to the cantilever) could be designed to look line the existing building, then the modern airy design above? I think the skinny portion looks odd but I love the design overall.

[Dr. B.]

6 hours ago, carolinaboy said:

Maybe the "skinny" portion above the existing brick portion (up to the cantilever) could be designed to look line the existing building, then the modern airy design above? I think the skinny portion looks odd but I love the design overall.

It's interesting, but I feel draws on the early renderings of the Avenue a bit much; too many buildings being proposed resembling other buildings. Are architects that uninspired? One of the best additions to the Austin skyline hotel Zaza. Brick, texture, an old school look and appeal.  What's wrong with proposing a tower with some character, that draws on the Beaux-Arts style of the masonic lodge? Ugh.  

[The ATX]

Based on HLC Commissioner comments, I don't think there is anything the developer can do to win approval - except make the tower shorter.  The HLC would rather have the Lodge remain neglected and closed to the public than to have it restored and reopened as a public restaurant - with a tower above it.  The developer said a 20-story tower would only be their break even point.  They want to go 40-stories to make a reasonable return on investment.

[The ATX]

The Historic Landmark Commission finally (and reluctantly) approved this project in a 6-4 vote.

[CaptainJilliams]

9 hours ago, The ATX said:

The Historic Landmark Commission finally (and reluctantly) approved this project in a 6-4 vote.

ETA on the  start?

[The ATX]

5 hours ago, CaptainJilliams said:

ETA on the  start?

It won't be for a while.  This was the first but biggest hurdle.  Now that they can build it, they have to file a site plan to begin the approval process.  Large towers such as this one take about a year and a half to get  City approvals in Austin.