The Austonian Blog - Downtown Luxury Condo in Austin, Texas

Annual Barkitecture Fundraiser This Weekend in Downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District

Saturday, October 1^st from 1 to 4:30 p.m. is the annual Barkitecture event in downtown Austin’s 2^nd Street District. Hosted by local nonprofit Animal Lovers of Austin, Barkitecture is a dog-centric fundraiser including a silent auction of one-of-a-kind doghouses designed by local architects, designers and builders. 

Additional pet-friendly happenings include a “pup-stop” play area for pets, information on adoption opportunities, and a Howl-o-Ween Fashound Show. Pet owners may register their dog for the Fashound Show at the festival at 3 p.m. for $10. The proceeds will support local area rescue organizations. 

Visit the Barkitecture website for more information.

Barkitecture is sponsored by Edgewick and Gabardine developed by the creators of The Austonian.

 

Austin Condo Designs Profiled in Austin Home Magazine

In addition to helping with finish selections for most homeowners, Austin interior design house Laura Britt Design has custom-designed several striking units within The Austonian high-rise condos. See the design firm’s inspiring work as well as examples of interiors in the Four Seasons Residences and the W Residences in the Fall 2011 issue of Austin Home (formerly Austin Monthly Home).

The above slide show is of 26HC, a seven bedroom and five-and-a-half bathroom home at The Austonian. It is listed for sale at $2.8 million.

Read the article here Download Austin_Home_Sept2011.

(Photo credit: Casey Dunn)

Downtown Austin Event: Austin Restaurant Week: “One City, Two Weeks, Three Courses”

The Austin food and restaurant scene is thriving with its ever-expanding collection of diverse and distinctive restaurants. Austin Restaurant Week celebrates the eclectic mix of eateries available in Austin with two weeks of great food. From September 25^th through the 28^th and October 2^nd to 5^th, over 50 of Austin’s best restaurants will offer prix-fixe meals.

Participating restaurants will serve two-course lunches ($10-15), three-course dinners ($25-30), and brunch ($15-20). A portion of the proceeds from each meal will be donated to Austin organization Meals on Wheels and More. Meals on Wheels and More provides food and services to elderly, disabled and homebound people in the Greater Austin area

Downtown Austin eateries participating in Austin Restaurant Week include Annie’s Café, the Driskill Grill, Garrido’s, Max’s Wine Dive, The Backspace, Trace at The W and Trio at the Four Seasons. For full restaurant listings and to make a reservation, visit the Austin Restaurant Week website. You can also download the Austin Restaurant Week application for your iPhone or Android device for mobile access to menus and the various participating restaurants.

(Photo credit: Austin Restaurant Week)

Urban Wine & Liquor to Open at The Austonian in Downtown Austin

On Friday, Urban Wine & Liquor announced plans to open a downtown Austin store at The Austonian in late 2011. The 2,615 square-foot store will feature wine, spirits, beers, barware, imported cigars and cigarettes, and a selection of artisanal foods including Texas-produced items.

The store will offer downtown delivery. Store specialties include events and tastings, artisanal gift baskets, custom orders and mixed cases tailored to clients’ preferences.

Designed by Bercy Chen Studio, the downtown Austin store will be the first Urban Wine & Liquor location. The store will be operated and managed by local wine expert Buckley Wineholt. 

Related stories:

The Austin Business Journal

The Downtown Austin Blog

(Photo credit: Thomas McConnell)

Downtown Austin Event: “Be Generous, Buy Art, Meet Gensler”

Generous Art, an online gallery for community-minded art collectors and enthusiasts, makes its debut into the Austin art scene next Thursday evening at the Gensler offices on the 3rd floor of the W Hotel in downtown Austin. The grand opening event marks the launch of the online gallery and will raise money for a number of local non-profits, including Art Alliance Austin, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and SafePlace, among others.

Charitable organizations occupy the heart of Generous Art’s mission. With every art purchase, 40% of the proceeds are given to a non-profit of the collectors choosing, allowing buyers to simultaneously support the artist as well as their favorite local or national non-profit.

Participating artists will have their work exhibited at the grand opening on September 29^th. The art will continue to be on display at the Gensler offices until October 26^th. The Thursday, September 29^th event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. Live music will be provided by the Robert Kraft Jazz Trio.

For more information about the event and to see a list of participating artists, visit GenerousArt.org.

(Bokeh II by Renee Nunez, Photo credit: GenerousArt.org)

 

Austin’s Pecan Street Festival Celebrates 30 Years This Weekend

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin.  Taking place September 24-25th, the Pecan Street festival attracts over 300,000 visitors every year, and is free to all who attend. 

This year’s festival will feature more than 600 artisans and performing artists, and more than 20 food vendors.

The festival is kid-friendly and will include carnival rides, a petting zoo, magicians and an art tent.  Musical festivities on the three different stages will begin around noon and stretch into the evening hours.  All proceeds of the festival will benefit local non-profits.

(Photo Credit: 365 Things to do in Austin)

 

Downtown Austin Restaurant Spotlight: Coal Vines Pizza, Pasta and Wine Bistro

Texas-based Coal Vines Pizza, Pasta and Wine Bistro recently opened their first Austin restaurant downtown at the foot of the W Austin Hotel and Residences. The restaurant, which is located in the Second Street District, opened for dinner service September 8^th and, as of last Friday, offers lunch and weekend brunch options.

Coal Vines’ menu features New York-style pizzas, salads and pastas, an extensive list of wines, premium beer selections and frozen Bellinis and Sangria. Weekend brunch options include breakfast Calzones, the popular Coal Vines Benedict and bottomless Mimosas.

The restaurant seats 120, featuring a private party room, a sidewalk patio and bar. A giant mural fusing elements of New York City with the Texas Longhorn and the Hill Country by Dallas artist Christina Neuser decorates the interior of the restaurant

For more information about Coal Vines, visit the restaurant website.

Second Annual Cocktails in the Park Festival in Downtown Austin

Austin Parks Foundation’s Cocktails in the Park Festival will take place on Wednesday, September 14^th from 7 to 10 p.m. The festival, which features live music, food and drinks, raises money to connect people to resources and partnerships to develop and improve Austin’s parks.

This annual, pre-ACL, event is being held at Republic Square Park, located on 422 Guadalupe Street. For more information and tickets, visit the website.

(Photo credit: Austin Parks Foundation)

Downtown Austin Retail Spotlight: PRIZE

This Thursday evening marks the grand opening of PRIZE, a new luxury gift and accessories boutique located near the intersection of 2^nd and Colorado in downtown Austin. The grand opening will run from 5-8 p.m. and will feature music by DJ Christian Barbuto, as well as hors d’oeuvres by Bar Chi Sushi. We asked PRIZE owner Lisa Bagby a few questions about the store and her decision to open the boutique downtown.

 
Tell us about PRIZE. What kinds of products do you offer?

PRIZE is a luxury gift and accessories boutique with unique offerings not offered anywhere else in Austin.  We carry men and women's jewelry, perfume, candles, books, cards, belts and belt buckles, bags, hats, boxers, pajamas and robes, home and tabletop accessories and more. I really want the atmosphere at PRIZE to be inviting and comfortable so that people find it to be a fun, unpretentious place to shop for themselves and their friends

Tell us about your background. What led you to open your own boutique?

My dream of opening PRIZE came about after more than a decade of merchandising experience with major national retailers such as Williams Sonoma, Inc., Z Gallerie, Restoration Hardware and Bliss Spa.  After living and working in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City for almost 2 decades, I was finally ready to move back to Texas and launch PRIZE. 

Why did you choose to open PRIZE in downtown Austin?

I am from Houston, but attended The University of Texas before setting off to live and work in Los Angeles in the early nineties. I chose Austin because I wanted to be back in Texas, and I felt like there is a need for PRIZE here.  I really love the energy downtown, specifically in the 2nd Street District. Downtown Austin is transforming. I love the mix of retailers and restaurants here, as well as the proximity to great music.

10th Annual Austin City Limits Music Festival in Downtown Austin’s Zilker Park

This weekend, September 16-18^th, marks the 10^th anniversary of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in downtown Austin’s Zilker Park. The three-day festival features 130 bands on eight stages throughout the park. Festival attendees will also enjoy local eats and artists selling their wares.  This year’s lineup includes a diverse set of artists, including big names Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire and Coldplay.

One-day passes for Sunday, as well as tickets to multiple pre-shows and aftershows beginning on September 15^th, can still be purchased online at ACL’s website.

(Photo credit: Mix 96.5)