The Model of Nokonah Condos

When buildings are proposed, there are often elaborate models. I know there was one for our building in the sales office. (See here.) We try to visit the sales offices of all the buildings going up to see them. But the Nokonah kept theirs in the lobby.

Nice spot to relax

We lucked into getting a personal tour of a new high rise called 70 Rainey Street not long ago. I love this area they have carved out for their residents.

Jenga Blues

The Independent Condos which will open soon, reflecting the blue skies and clouds recently.  Because of its unusual stacking and jutting floors, it is called the Jenga Building. It is right across Shoal Creek from our building. It is the first of the month and so it is theme day. The theme is 'blue.' Click here to see what other people have selected for the theme day.

Fancy digs!

We took a sneak peek of some fancy new condos called Fifth and West around the corner from us. This unit had a corner view -- 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. Wow.

Rainey rising

This is the 70 Rainey Street project that is going up as we speak. Lots more people downtown and along this popular recreation area.

The tallest yet

Here you see the Independent Building, looming over the new library. This towering structure will be the tallest residential-only building west of the Mississippi when it is done. We all call it the Jenga Building for obvious reasons.

Signs that Make You Say 'HMM'

This slogan is on one of the several condo projects going up in our downtown neighborhood.

Independent!

The Independent is going up at a fast clip. This building will be the tallest residential only building west of the Mississippi when it is done-- and it is just west of our condo tower.

Windy day brings a surprise -- not so pleasant

On a recent windy day, we were treated to this huge scrap of plastic blowing onto our balcony. Not cool.

Lots of locks

We were walking by a historic condo building in downtown Austin the other day and saw all these locks on a fence. Realtors can use them to open up condos for sale.

Still Selling

The W Hotel is open and their old condo sales office that sat on the corner of their lot is long gone. But they have moved their little model building to a store front space vacated by a high concept design store that didn't make it. It is across Guadalupe Street from the back of the building. So if you are in the market for a condo in downtown Austin, stop by.

A New Vantage Point

We toured the Spring Condominiums yesterday. This is the first Austin Daily Photo picture taken with an iPhone. Taken from the 25th floor of that building, this shot shows part of the new Gables apartments on Sandra Muraida Way plus the Pfluger Pedestrian bridge (which looks like a knot spanning Lady Bird Lake) and the Lamar Bridge. In spite of being taken through a window and on an iPhone I sort of like this shot.

Reflecting on Downtown Residences

The AMLI on Second and the (under construction) Austonian reflected in the east side of our building (360 Condos).

Our House and Stevie

Realized I had shown you this sculpture a long time ago and not with our building as a background. Enjoy Stevie again today.

Another Top

The building under construction in this picture (taken from the First Street Bridge) has a tree on top. The Four Seasons Residences have topped.

Texas Flag at Four Seasons

Next to the Four Seasons hotel a condo tower is rising. I've shown you the flags there before with the Canadian one popping out in the wind. The other day I caught the Texas flag snapping in the wind with the new construction behind it.

Independent Texas

Texans like to brag about having once been an Independent Nation apart from the United States (and not just when we seceded as part of the Confederacy). So March 2 (yesterday) is a celebration of Independence Day (from Mexico). The Republic of Texas existed for ten years so no big deal, right? But you'd never know it here. This banner promotes Independence Day events. We didn't attend any but we did walk over the Congress Avenue (Ann Richards) Bridge yesterday so I snapped this picture. The building with the red awnings is the Four Seasons Hotel and rising behind it, The Four Seasons Residences, a super-luxurious condo building which it appears will be finished in spite of the economic turmoil. Hopefully anyway.

View From Castle Hill

From Castle Hill you can see lots of places to live...The Nokonah is in the foreground, The Monarch Apartments are on the right and the 360 pokes up behind N0konah. Also visible are the Austin City Lofts, the high rise AMLI apartments, the Ashton apartments and the rising Austonian condos. There will be lots of people living downtown when all are finished and occupied. Some folks in Old West Austin will have a view of it all.

A New Art Work/Memorial

It's important to walk the same paths you've been down before with your camera...in case the light is different or they tear something down or build something new. This work of art or memorial is going up near the Hike and Bike Trail and the Mexican American Cultural Center near Rainey Street. The name 'Perez' is on the arch above. In the background you can see the Milago condominiums and the Legacy apartments. The latter appear ready to take renters, if they haven't already.

Deco Balconies

These deco balconies are on the Avenue Lofts.