Texas capital skyline continues to evolve.

Developer Plans 60-Story Tower

Downtown could see a skyline-changing tower if a plan by Minnesota-based developer Ryan Cos. comes to fruition, The Dallas Morning News reported in December 2019. The 60-story mixed-use tower would be the city’s second-tallest and one of the tallest buildings currently planned in the state. It would have 120,000 ft2 of office space, 363 residential units, retail space and parking. The development team includes banking firm BBVA USA and architect Page Southerland Page. Construction is expected to begin in late 2021.

Condo/Hotel Tower Going Up

Developers of Natiivo, a 33-story condo/hotel tower have released new renderings of the high rise going up in the Rainey Street district, Curbed Austin reported in January. The new building, at 48 East Avenue, will bring 249 residential units with full amenities and furniture. Unit owners will be offered hotel licensing so they can use their units as short-term rentals, with building management providing lodging services and amenities. Austin-based STG Design is the project architect, and NYC-based INC Architecture is responsible for interiors. Local artists and artisans are contributing murals, ceramics and other pieces that will be “featured throughout to ensure Natiivo truly reflects Austin’s creative community,” said Adam Rolston, managing partner and creative director at INC.

Natiivo will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Prices will start at around US$500,000. The project is being developed by NGD Homesharing. Construction began in August 2019, and is expected to be complete in 2021. AECOM Hunt is the general contractor.

1,000-Room, Gensler-Designed Hotel to Serve Atlanta

Construction is expected to start this spring on a more- than-30-story, 1,000-room Signia Hilton Hotel with a sleek, glassy design by Gensler overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, Curbed Atlanta reported in January. As what will be the “most visible part of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) (convention center) Authority’s 2020 Vision master plan,” the hotel will be connected to Building C of the complex. Including approximately 75,000 ft2 of meeting space, the hotel is expected to attract conventioneers, sports fans and tourists. GWCC was described by the source as “one of the busiest convention centers in the world.” Signia Hilton will join another Gensler-designed hotel rising nearby in Castleberry Hill, the 11-story Reverb by Hard Rock.

PATCO Inaugurates New Elevator at Rail Station

The Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) in December 2019 completed installation of a new elevator at its station in Haddonfield, New Jersey, part of a larger, US$31-million project to install elevators at all PATCO rail stations and bring the system into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ELEVATOR WORLD, July 2017), Progressive Railroading reported. Next up for the project will be the installation of one elevator each at the Ashland, Westmont and Collingswood stations, and two each at the City Hall and 12th/13th and Locust stations. The project is expected to be complete in 2022, making all 13 PATCO stations fully accessible to people using wheelchairs or otherwise dealing with impaired mobility. PATCO officials said the elevators will also provide easy access for people with strollers and bicycles. PATCO provides high-speed commuter rail service between Philadelphia and its suburbs in Camden County, New Jersey.