Sunset reflections

 I liked the color of these clouds as the sun set the other day. 

More tall buildings! Now!

Lots of office and residential buildings going up in downtown Austin. I hope that they can fill them.

 

More construction!

Here you see the start of the construction of a building that will be occupied by Google -- 35 stories' worth. And it is just south of us.

Big Buildings, Big Businesses

The one on the left is going to be a major Google installation. "Stacker of data for the nation," huh? The building still being worked on to the right will have Facebook offices. 

Work, work, work, til the job is done.

I shot this photo from the end of our hall a few weeks ago. I'll bet they have added three floors by now. It is amazing how fast the big buildings go up; and they tower so far above the skyline I knew as a kid.

Transition. 2011 to now.

We shot the top photo of the holding pond south of our condo tower all planted with grass in June 2011. The shot of the same spot, taken off of our balcony a few days ago, is rather different. That shiny new building will hold 1500 Google employees. It's the first of the month so it's Theme Day. The assignment this time is "Transitions." To say the least, we have seen some dramatic ones in downtown Austin. Click here to see other interpretations of the concept.

Nice Facade

Sometimes you notice some nice details on buildings while walking around.

Castle on a Hill

This castle-like building in Old West Austin has a simple crenelated top. That part of the downtown area is higher and this building gave its name to several business. There is still a Castle Hill Fitness, I think. There was a Castle Hill restaurant. It moved to West Fifth and still called itself Castle Hill until recently when it changed the name to Corazon at Castle Hill. But it's not really near the Castle or that hill especially. Just east of the Castle, atop the hill is an abandoned slab from a project that fizzled decades ago. My friend, who has friends who own a very nice house nearby that they rent out, says that some project was going to kick up again and it was going to involve the castle, too. Doubt it will get started until we are out of the trough of this business cycle. It think the building has been an office and a private home.

House in Contrast

Literally across the street from the building I showed you yesterday is this house turned office. Since that tree to the right (west) of the house has lost its leaves, you can also see our condo building peeking through. I think the house is an office now.

Deco Office

Not far from the heart of downtown is this wonderful deco office building. Tomorrow I will show you the house across the street. It is quite a contrast.