contemporary art museum

Arthouse’s FIVE x SEVEN ART SPLURGE
Thursday, May 13
Whitley Building (301 Brazos St.)
7:30-10pm, $125

In a highly unusual move, developers of the 44-story 21c hotel and condo development have abandoned the planned third and Brazos project in favor of a new multi-building complex to be located a few blocks East on Waller Creek.

The new project, also to be named 21c, will first include a 16-story hotel with 243 rooms which will be followed by a 49-story condo tower.

The hotel will break ground in 2009 and the condo tower is expected to break ground by 2010. The hotel will also double as a contemporary art museum.

Arthouse, a downtown contemporary art museum located on Congress and 7th, today announced plans to remodel and expand their downtown galleries and educational facilities.

According to Arthouse, "The plans -- developed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis, New York-based architects, the Board’s Building Committee and Staff -- will triple total space from 7,000 sq. ft. to 20,830 sq.ft."

The 21c Museum & Condos moved a step closer to reality this week. The project, a 44-story tower which will combine a museum, hotel, and condos in a very attractive structure on Third and Brazos, received approval from the Austin Design Commission.

Next, the Austin Planning Commission will review the project on September 11 before it's final review by the City Council.

Given the buildings strong support, it seems to be well positioned for approval.

Here is the summary from the Statesman:

A Kentucky-based developer announced plans for a unique 44-story tower on a prime downtown lot today. The $200M project, "21c Austin" will combine a private contemporary art museum, condos, and a boutique hotel run under the 21c brand.

The project is based on the 21c Louisville, which is the top-rated hotel in the city of Louisville, Kentucky.

Here are some of the details from today's Statesman: