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A representation of the pool terrace on the roof of Avenir. Image: GDA Architects
As we see ourselves as pioneers in the media coverage of building names and building colors in the city center, we are pleased to present you another update on the branding of the 15-story, 387-unit residential tower East Austin, developed by Lennar multi-family communities and JH West 12th Street Partner, now nearing completion in a former bingo hall between East 11th and East 12th Street along I-35 and thus with the deeply clumsy official address of 1109 North I-35 Frontage Road – it’s called “The Avenir” now.
A view of the Avenir from a less than ideal perspective, looking east over the Brackenridge Hospital demolition site and an Austin Energy substation – this area will soon be a little nicer. Photo by James Rambin
Formerly known as One Two East, then Huston after an unfortunate drop in elevation, then Dorsey for reasons unknown during its construction, this often controversial tower sails towards the finish line under the name Avenir, best known to us as one of us the best geometric sans-serif fonts on the market, but actually means “the future” in French. And you really couldn’t ask for a better name – Austin’s future, at least the one that has evolved over the past decade, is pretty well captured by a development that originally included a 60,000-square-foot grocery store and senior housing alongside its residential units in exchange for 35 feet extra height from a zoning change, but removed those elements and built a shorter tower after encountering fierce opposition from nearby homeowners.
A representation of Avenir, when it was still called “The Huston”, from this perspective from I-35 approximately to the northeast. Click for a larger view. Image: GDA Architects
We don’t want to mess with the end product – the brick-colored design of the Avenir from Dallas GDA Architects looks extremely good, especially in combination with the similar masonry look of the GDA for the Alexan Waterloo apartment tower directly across from the motorway, and more high-rise buildings at market prices in the city center are absolutely a good thing. It’s just disappointing to know what pedestrian-friendly amenities we lost along the way that would have greatly enriched the surrounding neighborhood if the people here hadn’t fought so hard against them. Who thinks lowering the building 35 feet is preferable to a full size grocery store?
In any case, the building that’s now here is currently taking inquiries about prices and unit availability, according to the municipality’s website, with a possible opening date later this summer. The Avenir offers a mixture of studio, one and two-room apartments, which are marketed with the bold claim of “more lifestyle amenities than any other residential offer in the city”, according to the developers at LMC – in other words, two pools Clubhouse on the roof, co-working space, dog park, indoor basketball court, music room and “artist studio” among others. (But is there a golf simulator like Alexan Waterloo across the street? We’d be happy to check it out.)
View over the future Innovation District (and the current demolition site) to the Avenir (left) and Alexan Waterloo (right) towers, which bring a beautiful brick motif on both sides of the motorway. Photo by James Rambin
Like the Tyndall before it, this project takes advantage of the freeway divide to deliver apartments in seconds from downtown, but probably a touch cheaper than downtown – we have to imagine the land itself costing a little less, if only now. Although I-35 remains a scar on our urban fabric begging for a handful of pavement, we appreciate what that kind of density will bring to the area across the highway, especially with projects like Waterloo Park and the surrounding developments that are imminent make Avenir a bridge crossing of an exciting new neighborhood – and the fact that you live here is right next door Franklin barbecue does not hurt.
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