Central Austin Realty Bits

Travis County proposes to build a new courthouse on Republic Square Park in Downtown Austin.  Already a federal courthouse is under construction on the west side of this newly revitalized park and now a second courthouse for the county is proposed for the south side of the park.  Most recently, this site was to be the new Austin Museum of Art with residences above.  What a waste of a brilliant location! 

Why is Travis County paying a premium to acquire a prime downtown development block on Republic Square Park, when more affordable land exists that is not in the dead center of one of the most vibrant emerging areas of the city?  With this decision, 2 sides of the park will be flanked by dead 9-5 only, Monday through Friday uses. Along with the Hobby state office complex to the southeast, there will be a string of 3 government use blocks right through the heart of this dynamic part of Downtown Austin.  We can guess the architecture of the new Travis County Courthouse will be uninspiring and the buildings empty and dark at night...hardly the goal of city planners in this part of the city.

Travis County is paying a high price for "location" and removing a valuable parcel of tax dollars for the City of Austin.  Undoubtedly, that site would otherwise ultimately offer something much more 24/7 and a structure that could contribute to the city's tax base and take advantage of the park front location. 

Should a new Travis County courthouse be built somehwere else?  County Judge Sam Biscoe thinks it is a great idea to build a courthouse on Republic Square.  Tell him otherwise. 

Please Travis County, rethink this decision.

 Jeff Harris, Broker

jeff@trueaustinhomes.com

www.trueaustinhomes.com

W Austin hotel & condo residences opened the doors of the hotel and public lounge and restaurant in Downtown Austin this week.  I grabbed a few friends and headed to the Living Room lounge on the hotel's ground floor.  What a great job they did with these spaces.  The Living Room is really a series of large, yet intimate feeling interconnected rooms for socializing and mingling.  Bars are available in each area with cocktail service at your table if you wish.  Several of the W Austin lounge spaces have large fireplaces to add to the sexy stylish mood of this Downtown Austin hot spot. 

W Hotels are known for their fashionable, trendsetting spaces and the W Austin is no exception. Interior designers and architects did a great job of making the place stylish but not overly trendy, and not at all pretentious.  Just like Austin.  What I saw was a well dressed crowd who didn't mind letting their hair down to the terrific DJ who spun obscure and familiar tunes from the 60's to present day. The music volume was up but not so much as to prevent conversation.

We found a great spot by the fireplace to enjoy a few cocktails and chat, and later moved into different rooms and to the small tucked away patio off the restaurant to see old friends and meet new ones.  W Austin seems to be an instant hit and when the W Austin Residences are completed above the hotel in February, new residents will surely be pleased with their "living room" bar and adjacent restaurant on the ground floor.

The W Austin condominium residences start in the $400,000 range and go up to over $2 million.  They are modern and clean and offer great views over Austin.  Owners will begin closing on their homes in February 2011.  No doubt, the opening of the W Austin Hotel will spur sales although approximately over 50% of the 159 W Austin residences are already reserved.  The new Austin City Limits music venue is a part of this project as well.

For more info on W Austin Residences or the entire Downtown Austin luxury condo market, contact me or go here and click on downtown luxury:  http://trueaustinhomes.com/austinhomesearch.asp

Jeff Harris, Broker

jeff@trueaustinhomes.com

512-917-9142 direct

If you own a Lake Austin waterfront home, the LCRA and city of Austin are giving you a chance to do repairs on your waterfront or dock.  Beginning January 3, 2011, water levels in Lake Austin will start dropping for three weeks and remain low until February 8.  This Lake Austin lowering also helps contain unwanted vegetation on the lake bed.

In years past, I have witnessed Lake Austin go from a lovely shimmering blue pool to a muddy trickle.  When the lake is lowered, only the center river channel carries water, flanked on both sides by a muddy mess.  It is not the best time to sell waterfront and water view properties.  I had a listing once with a great water view, but when the lake was lowered, it really took away from the property's ambiance.  Once the water came back up, the home sold quickly.  There is something to be said for the strength of the emotional tug of water views.

So late January might be a good time to bargain on Lake Austin real estate if you are a buyer.  Sellers might notice less enthusiasm for their listed properties.  In any event, eventually the lake fills and jet skiers and boaters once again flock to this crown jewel along Austin's western edge.

SEARCH AUSTIN WATERFRONT HOMES HERE:  http://trueaustinhomes.com/waterfront-.asp

Jeff Harris, Broker

jeff@trueaustinhomes.com