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Top 5 Vintage Spots in Austin

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Top 5 Vintage Spots in Austin

Feeling Nostalgic? 

Discover the vibrant vintage scene of Austin, Texas this summer! Whether you are looking for a pair of vintage sunnies for a pool party at The Independent or a funky lamp to add some flair to your apartment, Austin is home to a treasure trove of vintage spots that will make you and your space pop. We curated a list of the city’s best kept vintage shops.

 

Room Service: Housed in a reclaimed pharmacy and soda fountain from the 1950’s, Room Service is a 3,500 square foot vintage explosion with something for everyone. Located on the North Loop Strip, Room Service hails curated vintage from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond. While Room Service features an extensive furniture collection, it also boasts an equally broad selection of lighting, jewelry, wall art, books, and relics. 

 

Uncommon Objects: Indulge your nostalgic cravings at Uncommon Objects, a unique emporium nestled in the heart of Austin. Established in 1991 and located in the North Loop, Uncommon Objects has evolved from a modest antique collective into a haven for transcendent junk and quirky relics of American culture. With twenty-four dedicated antique sellers under one roof, Uncommon Objects offers a genuine and sometimes eccentric glimpse into history, providing the perfect blend of sentimentality and curiosity for vintage enthusiasts. 

 

Prototype Vintage: If you have been on the hunt for that perfectly worn leather jacket or boot cut jeans, Prototype Vintage located on South Congress is a great spot to add unique pieces to your closet. Founded in 2005 by two best friends, Audrie San Miguel & Emily Larson as a vintage furniture store, Prototype has flourished into an essential destination within Austin’s vintage clothing landscape. Stop by Prototype the next time you are on South Congress and snap a selfie in front of their iconic green wall. 

 

Charm School Vintage: Charm School, a vintage haven located in East Austin, features handmade, culturally rich, and well-traveled garments. Specializing in the eclectic vibes of the 1970s and influenced by Victorian 1930s allure, Charm School boasts natural fabrics and textiles like leather, lace, velvet, and silk. Beyond fashion, Charm School showcases handmade apothecary products, independent jewelry, and ethically-sourced crystals, prioritizing sustainability and supporting local artisans and ethical practices. 

 

Full Circle Vintage: Full Circle Vintage is credited with keeping Texas history alive through, you guessed it, cowboy boots. Owner and professional boot-finder Joey Medina keeps stories alive through repairing, reserving, and reselling boots. If you aren’t shopping for your next pair of boots, Full Circle has also curated an extensive vintage t-shirts collection to pair with their selection of perfect broken in Levis. Just near the edge of the University of Texas Campus, Full Circle is a one stop shop for curating a quintessential Texas wardrobe.

Urbanspace Favs | Top 5 New Restaurants in Austin

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Top 5 New Restaurants in Austin

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure this summer as we give you our top 5 new restaurants that have opened in Austin!

 

 

Bill’s Oyster: Bill’s Oyster, located on 205 West Third Street in Austin, is a captivating cocktail bar and specialty seafood restaurant founded by Stewart Jarmon and Chef Daniel Berg. Inspired by the spirit of Old New Orleans, the space exudes charm. Indulge in a seafood tower of oysters, enjoy tantalizing dishes such as mozzarella sticks with caviar, shrimp cocktail, King crab, and Bill’s Burger. The drink menu features a variety of martinis, wines, and classic cocktails. 

 

 

Gracia Mediterranean: Gracia Mediterranean, nestled at 4800 Burnet Road Suite 450 in Rosedale, is a Mediterranean-style restaurant and wine bar. The restaurant caters to both meat lovers and vegetarians, ensuring a diverse range of options. From delectable Calamari Bolognese to succulent Scallops and delicious Swordfish skewers, the menu promises a delightful seafood feast. With its popularity, reservations are strongly recommended to secure your dining experience. 

 

Bar Toti: Bar Toti, located next door to Este, draws inspiration from the vibrant bar cultures of Spain, France, and Mexico. With communal tables and counter height seating, it provides a lively setting for private gatherings and celebrations. Executive chef Fermin Nunez, influenced by his home country, showcases his creativity in translating those flavors into unique and exciting dishes. Menu highlights include a Mexican hamburguesa, marinated olives, seasoned nuts, croquetas, ash-roasted leeks, and mussels with piquillo brava sauce. The cocktail menu features aperitivos, classic Mexican cocktails, and a variety of beer options.

 

 

Ezov: Ezov, located at 2708 E Cesar Chavez St, is a culinary gem in Austin. Open daily from 5 PM to 10 PM, it offers a menu designed for sharing and inspired by the flavors of Tel Aviv’s markets and the bounty of Texas. The seasonal menu showcases both classic dishes and innovative twists, highlighting seasonal Israeli cuisine with a focus on the Galilee region. The wine selection, features Mediterranean wines from Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Italy, and more. Led by Israeli native Executive Chef Berty Richter, Ezov promises a delightful culinary experience that harmoniously blends cultural influences and seasonal delights.

 

 

Estelle’s: Located in downtown Austin’s vibrant warehouse district at 400 Colorado St., Estelle’s is a stylish and upscale social lounge that has specialty cocktails, shareable bites, and a charming boutique-scale flower shop. The venue encompasses an intimate and sophisticated bar and lounge on the first floor, while the second floor hosts a lively club room complete with a DJ booth. For an exclusive experience, Estelle’s offers private seating areas with bottle service. Their menu includes a curated selection of upscale wines, craft cocktails, and beers, all drawing inspiration from a botanical theme and a thoughtfully chosen color palette. Additionally, Estelle’s offers happy hour every Tuesday through Thursday from 5 PM to 6 PM, featuring complimentary passed canapés and light bites.

10 Things To Do in Austin This May

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10 Things To Do in Austin This May

May is a beautiful month to visit Austin, with sunny days and bearable Texas temperatures, it is the perfect time to explore all the city has to offer before the summer rush! Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or outdoor enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in Austin this May. Here are some of the most exciting events and activities happening in Austin this month:

Pecan Street Festival (May 6-7): This free, family-friendly festival takes over historic Sixth Street for two days of live music, food vendors, and local artists selling their wares.

Hot Luck Festival (May 19-22): This food and music festival brings together some of the top chefs from around the country for four days of culinary delights and live music performances.

Austin Reggae Festival (May 27-29): This annual festival features three days of live reggae music, food vendors, and local craft beer.

Hiking and Biking Trails: With mild temperatures and beautiful scenery, May is a great time to explore Austin’s many hiking and biking trails. Some popular trails include the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, and the Walnut Creek Trail.

Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater: This legendary music venue hosts a variety of concerts and events throughout May, featuring both local and national artists.

Austin FC Soccer Matches: May is the start of the MLS season, and Austin’s own soccer team, Austin FC, will be playing several home matches at Q2 Stadium. Catch a game and join the excitement of the city’s newest sports team.

Congress Avenue Bat Colony: Every evening from May to September, the Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Watch as over 1.5 million bats emerge from under the bridge at sunset.

Austin Food and Wine Festival (May 27-29): This three-day festival celebrates Austin’s vibrant culinary scene with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and wine and cocktail seminars.

Art Galleries: Austin is home to a thriving art scene, with many galleries showcasing works from local artists. Some popular galleries to check out include the Blanton Museum of Art, The Contemporary Austin, and the Mexic-Arte Museum.

Texas State Capitol Tours: Take a guided tour of the Texas State Capitol building, a historic landmark and the largest state capitol building in the country. Learn about Texas history and the state’s legislative process.

These are just a few of the many exciting things to do in Austin in May 2023. With so much to see and do, there’s never been a better time to visit this vibrant city.

ATX Skyline Over The Years

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Austin’s Skyline Over The Years

Austin, Texas is rapidly growing and changing, and nowhere is this more evident than in the city’s skyline. In recent years, several new high-rise buildings have been constructed, transforming the skyline and bringing a new level of sophistication to the city.

The most notable buildings amongst the skyline include The Frost Tower, The Austonian, The Independent, and one of the most recent additions gaining fame, The Google tower. As the city of Austin continues to grow and expand, its skyline is also evolving at a rapid pace. Here are some of the upcoming developments under construction that will be coming soon to Downtown Austin.

Sixth and Guadalupe: A mixed-use development located at 400 W. 6th St. The 66-story building broke ground in the fourth quarter of 2019 and is expected to be delivered in 2023. 

415 Colorado Street: This property boasts an impressive 457,684 square feet of space, including 110,000 square feet of office space. The expected completion date is set for the 4th quarter of 2024.

Waterline: A mixed-use development located at 98 Red River St. in Austin, Texas. The impressive 2,300,000 square foot building includes 703,000 square feet of office space along with residential and hotel components. The 74-story tower will offer 240 hotel rooms and is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Modern: The Modern is an upcoming residential development located in the historic Rainey district at 610 Davis St. The 56-story building will offer 300 residences and is expected to be delivered in late 2024. The development is being led by Urbanspace, with Page serving as the architect.

As Austin continues to grow and change, it is clear that its skyline will continue to evolve. These new developments and buildings bring new energy to the city and help to solidify Austin’s status as a major player on the national and global stage. While the skyline may look different than it did just a few years ago, one thing remains constant: Austin’s unique blend of charm, culture, and innovation will continue to make it a beloved destination for years to come.

Spring In Austin

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SPRING IN AUSTIN

Spring is just around the corner in Austin, Texas, and the city is gearing up for some exciting events that will kick off the season in style. With its perfect mix of outdoor activities, music, and sporting events, Austin offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather and create unforgettable memories. 

One of the biggest events that will take place in March is South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual festival that brings together the worlds of music, film, and interactive media. Every year thousands of people gather in the heart of Austin Texas to celebrate the convergence of the tech, film, and music industries with SXSW. The event features an eclectic range of conferences, film festival screenings, musical festival showcases, unique networking opportunities, world-class exhibitions, and much more. This year, SXSW will be a hybrid event, with both in-person and virtual programming, allowing audiences from all over the world to participate. From March 11-20, visitors can enjoy an incredible lineup of musicians, filmmakers, and innovators as they explore the latest trends and ideas in their fields. Whether you’re a music lover, a tech enthusiast, or a film buff, there’s something for everyone at SXSW. 

Another exciting event that’s coming up is what is possibly the last Dell Match Play golf tournament in Austin. This prestigious tournament attracts the best golfers in the world to compete in a match play format. Fans can watch the action up close at the beautiful Austin Country Club, located on the shores of Lake Austin. The tournament runs from March 24-28 and promises to be an unforgettable experience for golf fans and sports enthusiasts alike.

Urbanspace will be hosting our annual “Urbansips” party to celebrate all of the festivities with our clients, friends, and colleagues before the craze of Austin’s busy season sets in.

Of course, no visit to Austin would be complete without experiencing the city’s renowned food and music scenes. With a wide variety of restaurants, food trucks, and bars, visitors can savor the flavors of Austin’s diverse culinary landscape. And with live music venues like the Continental Club and the Broken Spoke, visitors can catch some of the best live performances in the country.

As the city emerges from winter, springtime in Austin is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Visitors can hike the trails of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, or rent a paddle board and explore Lady Bird Lake. With its mild temperatures and beautiful scenery, Austin is the ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

 

Waterloo Greenway Phase II

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Waterloo Greenway Phase II: Coming Soon

On January 18, 2023, the Waller Creek Local Government Corporation approved a contract for the construction of the second phase of Waterloo Greenway, The Confluence. The Confluence, formerly known as the Creek Delta, will be located at the south end of the 1.5-mile park system, Waterloo Greenway. The approved design calls for nearly 1,550 trees, 200,000 mature plants, and 10 acres of seed mixes to improve downtown air quality, improve creek health, and reduce the urban heat island effect, while also mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Phase II will be at the epicenter of Austin culture, i.e Rainey Street.

Anticipating the surge of residents to come to the Historic District, construction of the Confluence will take place in the Spring of 2023 with an estimated duration of two to three years before its completion. After its completion, the 1.5-mile park system will connect Waterloo Greenway from 15th Street to Lady Bird Lake. The project’s design is focused on sustainability and resiliency. 

CEO of Waterloo Greenway, Jesus Aguirre, whose main goal is to “preserve our green spaces in one of the busiest and most rapidly growing areas of downtown Austin”. This exciting next phase is centered around nature and the connection of our urban community to the various historical and cultural destinations Austin has to offer. 

The project will be brought to life by Jay Reese Contractors. They have a conspicuous portfolio of several Austin projects, including the Pfluger Bridge, Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake, and 2nd Street Bridge.

 

Downtown Development Digest | East Side Introduces Saltillo

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As Austin continues to top the lists for real estate growth in the Country, we also see zip codes become hot on the list of fastest-gentrifying neighborhoods in major American cities. These zip codes — 78702 and 78721, predominately areas located in East Austin, have seen the most substantial change in the past decade.

Just a few years ago, the stretch of city blocks from East 5th Street and East 4th Street just east of I-35 was the home to empty warehouses and illegally dumped trash that had been burned and buried. This site sat empty for just over two decades without any development and contaminated soil throughout the six-block, 10-acre span.

The land is owned by Capital Metro and includes the Plaza Saltillo MetroRail Station. The developers explained that “Saltillo” was designed to encourage people to walk, bike, and use transit. Enacting on a community plan that was put into place starting with a vision 20 years ago in order to bring the community together through improved connectivity, service offerings for the neighborhood, as well as offices, retail and residential living communities. This project was influenced by the booming neighborhoods of young professionals whom are health and fitness minded, that have flocked to East Austin.

In addition to the rail station that runs through the site, they are aiming to make Saltillo a transit hub, with below-and-above ground parking garages, electric vehicle stations and an extension of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway.

Saltillo soon plans on opening a 36,000 sqft Whole Foods and a 26,000 sqft Target, that will also contain a CVS inside. The Developers said it was important to add a grocery and connivence store to this project, as neighbors when polled previously said a top feature the community was lacking was simpler access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Currently there are a few businesses up and running, those include:

  • Club Pilates
  • Chipotle
  • Spectrum Communications
  • JuiceLand
  • Snooze
  • Orange Theory Fitness

 

The Businesses preparing to open are:

  • Target
  • Whole Foods
  • Cherry Blow Dry Bar
  • Hopdoddy Burger Bar
  • The Kebab Shop
  • Enamel Dentistry
  • Poke Austin
  • Dolce Neve Gelato
  • Nails on 5th
  • Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

 

Google will also occupy a larger office space above Target in the upcoming months.

Read more about Saltillo at plazasaltillo.com»

The Austin Proper Introduces Four New Dining Concepts

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The Austin Proper Hotel & Residences 
600 W 2nd Street

 

Since the grand opening of the Los Angeles based hotel & residences in downtown Austin in fall of 2019, the Proper has since introduced four new dining concepts to add to the captivating Austin cuisine.

Located in the Second Street District of Downtown Austin, it is in close proximity to the Google building, Facebook HQ, 360 Condos,  The Independent, The Bank of America offices, Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors and Seaholm Residences. Being so close to the center of the downtown these new dining concepts give a grand dining experience for many to enjoy.
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Celebrity interior designer, Kelly Wearstler was the master-mind behind the lavish and urban design of The Proper and its four lush dining experiences. While local McGuire Moorman Hospitality, the team behind Austin hotspots like Elizabeth Street Cafe, Clark’s and Jeffery’s, exclusively partnered with The Proper to create these Four dining concepts.

 

The Mockingbird

The mockingbird offers mediterranean grab and go options in a sidewalk café. Here you can order morning pastries and coffees at the counter, savor contemporary takes on falafal in the afternoon or grab a rotisserie chicken with sides in the evening for a simple and smooth weeknight dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

The Peacock

Inspired by foods and flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, such as North Africa, Greece, Israel , and Lebanon — The Peacock gives a new twist to the worldly decadent cuisine. Mezze and wood-grilled flare is colorful and loosely plated, healthy and wholesome. Natural wines, light mixed spirits with lots of fresh herbs, fruits and citrus add to the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

Goldie’s

Inspired by a little old-fashioned back room, with whispers of a Turkish bar translated with a touch of Austin’s cool, laid-back vibe. Seating at the actual sunken bar inspires in-depth conversations for guests to linger over boutique wines, supercall sips, and garden-fresh cocktails.

 

 

 

 

La Piscina

A vivacious poolside restaurant and bar serving Texas-inspired Mexican Cuisine for dinner, with lunch and brunch to come soon. The vibrant open space on the 5th floor, overlooks the downtown Austin bustle serving family-style platters, ceviches and table-top fajitas, with fresh seafood grilled over a wood fire and house-made tortillas from an open comal. The bar offers an accompanying selection of native spirts, frozen margaritas, and small batch tequilas and mezcals.

 

 

 

 

www.properhotel.com/austin

Two Popular Austin Bars to Be Bulldozed

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Two Rainey Street establishments — Container Bar and Bungalow — are on track to be bulldozed to make way for a 53-story hotel and apartment tower.

On March 23, the Austin Historic Landmark Commission is scheduled to consider a proposal to demolish Bungalow, a former residence at 92 Rainey St. that dates back to the early 1900s. Container Bar, at 90 Rainey St., also is set to be torn down.

The developer of the high-rise plans to incorporate both bars into the new building. “The bars will stay open up until we start construction next year,” Kevin Burns, CEO of Austin-based Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors, tells CultureMap.

The 582,513-square-foot, 606-foot-tall project features:

  • 349,508 square feet of hotel space, including 424 guest rooms.
  • 227,180 square feet of residential space, offering 198 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Nineteen of the units are earmarked for affordable housing.
  • 5,825 square feet of restaurant and bar space.

At 606 feet, the Rainey Street tower would be about 150 feet taller than the nearby Fairmont Austin hotel, which is the third tallest building in Austin (excluding its 139-foot-tall spire). The proposed site of the skyscraper covers a little over one-third of an acre.

Burns says construction is expected to start in mid-2021.

Read the full article at CultureMap.com »

Downtown Development Digest | Canopy by Hilton

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West Sixth Street’s First Hotel

West Sixth Street has long been known as the mature, stylish sibling to the east side’s “Dirty Sixth,” yet a few development holes have remained. For some time there have been a few vacant sites in the area such as a decaying parking lot and several shuttered restaurants. Now at these sites will be filled with new eateries and a trendy boutique hotel that will amplify the strip’s reputation as a hip entertainment hub.

The construction started in July at 612 W. Sixth St. next door to Star Bar. Most people have no idea what to expect from a hotel designed for such an active commercial and nightlife district. This hotel is quite literally sandwiched between two bars. The Canopy by Hilton will be six stories tall, with an interior courtyard space that’s designed to insulate guests from as much 6th street noise as possible… we wish them luck with that on the weekends. The hotel will house 140 guestrooms, including five suites. Guests will be welcomed via an intimate lobby and a laidback open-air courtyard surrounded by natural materials and greenery. The bar and lounge concept will frame the courtyard and provide several seating options from sidewalk dining to cozy fireside enclaves. The restaurant’s theme isn’t yet defined, but the restaurant will likely have some healthier fare that won’t compete with the old-school diner experience of Holy Roller. The pool deck will serve as an elevated front porch, appointed with loungers and a bar pavilion. The hotel’s official name is Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown, and its grand opening is planned for January 2020.

This hotel will be unique for people visiting Austin as it will be in the heart of downtown. Guests will get to experience everything Austin has to offer with nightlife and great food all at their fingertips. We are eager to hear what the new restaurant will be and excited to see the finished product!

Photos and information from https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/06/21/real-estate-developer-coordinates-west-sixth.html and https://austin.towers.net/heres-a-new-view-of-canopy-by-hilton-west-sixth-streets-first-boutique-hotel/

Downtown Development Digest | Block 185

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The new Google building will likely become a signature tower of the Austin skyline. The currently unnamed building is designed by internationally renowned “starchitect” Pelli Clarke Pelli. To achieve the title of starchitect, you’ve presumably got to design a lot of buildings considered iconic by the general public. This new building’s plan of a curved glass wall and tapered structure allows outdoor terraces on every level, creating the overall effect of a sail eternally catching a breeze from the lake across the street. It’s hard not to be excited about this tower’s look, which is immediately striking and pushes the boundaries of what we might expect from our growing skyline. The tower will have 793,883 square feet of office space—enough for about 5,000 people—and will include standard tech-company perks: a fitness center and recreation areas, lounges, kitchen and dining areas, conference centers, a bar/tavern, and, surely, more. Its 1,327 parking spaces will be on lower floors, with some of it underground. Google, which currently occupies a 29-story tower on another tract of the redevelopment site east of the new building site, has about 800 employees in Austin. While the upper floors of the new building will be occupied entirely by Google offices and parking, the structure will relate to its surroundings in a variety of ways. Retail businesses will occupy its ground floor, and its large, open lobby will provide access to the Second Street retail and entertainment district. The building also will have a plaza along Shoal Creek with bicycle and pedestrian access connecting West Cesar Chavez and West Second streets.

Photos and information from https://austin.towers.net/finally-weve-got-a-better-view-of-the-block-185-office-tower/ and https://austin.curbed.com/2019/4/2/18291500/google-building-austin-new-design-pelli

Downtown Development Digest | Natiivo

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Natiivo Austin is a new concept in hospitality unlike any other. The long-awaited tower project at 48 East Avenue in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street District won’t be home to either condos or apartments. Instead, the 33-floor building will be built as a 249-unit hotel, but that’s really only half the story. Natiivo will be available for purchase— however, the buyers won’t be able to live there full-time. Instead they are encouraged to rent out their units on Airbnb when they aren’t staying there. The concept is different from a timeshare because buyers own their unit and don’t share it with other owners. Because the building is zoned as a hotel, owners can only reside in the building for a maximum of 30 days at a time. They can come back and stay as many times as they would like throughout the year. 

This flexible model combines the benefits of ownership with the ease and service of a high-end hotel. Units come stocked with premium linens, robes and slippers. There’s also in-room laundry and kitchens stocked with essentials. Ahead of their stay, owners and guests can request a stocked fridge, dog-walking services and fresh-cut flowers. Natiivo also has a 24-hour onsite concierge that can not only help guests navigate the city but also handle all reservation requests, check-ins and check-outs. Natiivo Austin will offer coworking spaces, a cafe lounge, a spa-inspired fitness center and a rooftop pool deck with private cabanas and lounge. 

Natiivo units are available for purchase online. They will range in price from the $300,000s to $1.2 million. Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units will range in size from 454 square feet to 1,390 square feet.

Photos and information from https://austin.towers.net/airbnb-powered-home-sharing-concept-natiivo-heads-to-rainey-street-district/ and https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/06/18/airbnb-branded-hotel-coming-to-austins-rainey.htm

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