THE POINT TOWER - Small Site? No Problem!

Essay 20.5.3 ZIEGLER COOPER

THE POINT TOWER

Small Site? No Problem!

Point Tower Characteristics & Advantages “A point tower is a compact, tall and slender residential building form with a small footprint, resting on a wellappointed mixed-use podium below.”

In great part, the point tower typology came about

– Scott Ziegler, AIA

residents, and more opportunities for active retail and

to help provide higher density development for more walkable, urban living. A point tower lifts all residential units away from the hustle-and-bustle of the street while creating opportunities for desirable views for the commerce below.

In This Third in Our Point Tower Series, ZCA Looks Deeper Into Various Attributes and the Significance of the Point Tower Typology

OPTIMIZING SITE POTENTIAL

In the discussion on podium wraps we examined point towers that sit nicely on a typical urban block. It is increasingly the case in most urban areas that only small sites less than a block are available for new development. Therefore, we now look at some of our point towers that optimize density on tiny sites in superior locations.

These vibrant developments open the door to attractive urban living at a lower cost than owning or renting a single-family home in a desirable urban neighborhood.

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Endeavor’s The Quincy, Austin Texas

SITE SIZES & DENSITIES 1. THE QUINCY – 347 units on 30,000 SF, or a density of 510 units per acre 2. BLOCK 98 – 308 units on 20,000 SF, or a density of 670 units per acre 3. THE AUSTONIAN – A 56 story apartment tower with188 units on 29,243 SF 4. 2727 KIRBY – A 30 story apartment tower with 90 units on 30,000 SF

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REMIXING

WITH HIGH DENSITY THE QUINCY - 510 UNITS PER ACRE At the heart of the Rainey Street district in Austin, Endeavor’s The Quincy is a 32-story mixed-use tower overlooking Lady Bird Lake.

Located adjacent to Hotel Van Zandt, The Quincy boasts a dynamic intermix of leasable space consisting of 347 small entry-level units perfect for recent graduates, 78,000 SF of creative office, and street level retail all upon one half of a city block.

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PETITE PARCEL BLOCK 98 - 670 UNITS PER ACRE Squeaking a desirable apartment tower with enviable amenities into a tiny site and achieving maximum efficiencies is no small feat. Trammell Crow’s Block 98 development is a 42-story park-oriented development. It is located opposite the Marriott Marquis Houston to the east, and HESS Tower to the south whose garage shares the block on which Block 98 sits. The skinny site ekes out a street-level glimpse at Discovery Green from the intersection of Crawford and Walker streets – and here is where the point tower typology shines! – Placing the residential units atop a podium elevates all the residential units to maximize their urban and park views.

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SOPHISTICATION AT A GRAND SCALE

THE AUSTONIAN Representing the arrival of the City of Austin as a sophisticated, exciting city center, Benchmark’s The Austo nian is a 56-story residential point tower that occupies just one-third of a city block! Private dining that spills out into a street-side dining experience at the corner of Congress and 2nd, and the faithful preservation of Brown-Dumas Blacksmith Shop façade at 104 W 2nd Street, both enhance the pedestrian experience of the development’s public realm.

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LEANING TOWER OF KIRBY

2727 KIRBY Setting the trend for the high-density development in the Upper Kirby District, ZCA first introduced the point tower to Houston with the design of 2727 Kirby, a 30-story residential point tower perched on just onehalf of a city block. The slender form is recognized for its elegant design and its extraordinary west elevation that leans toward Kirby Drive.

Endeavor’s The Quincy, Austin Texas

SUMMARY Our designs are more than buildings on a city block. These structures outlive the architect and it is our responsibility to enrich the public realm by bringing gathering places for the community into our designs. A wellplaced park bench, a pocket park, a street-side café, or opportunities to shop where people can visit or just sit and watch the world go by are all important elements of a sustainable and walkable urban community.

ZCA has been fortunate to work with many insightful developers that have allowed us to create beautiful additions to the built environment with more than 60 high-rise and midrise urban residential towers.

About The Author: Scott Ziegler, AIA As Founding Principal of the firm and leader of the Urban Architecture Studio, Scott’s design experience reflects his belief that inspirational architecture enriches people’s lives, uplifts the human spirit,

“In addition to the ‘walker’s paradise’ location,

and provides a constant vision of

residents of Block 98 will experience exceptional

excellence. As Residential Senior

views of the park and unique vignettes of the downtown skyline.”

Alison Kuttler, Associate Principal

Practice Area Leader, Scott plays an active role in shaping the urban landscape through the firm’s built works and his published writing in professional journals on the subjects of sustainable urban growth

Check back for the next in our series of essays discussing the point tower typology: “What’s the point?” Upcoming essays in the series: 20.5.4 – Parks, Pocket Parks and Signature Greenspace

strategies and high-density mixed-use developments.

Ziegler Cooper Architects 700 Louisiana, Ste 350 Houston, TX 77002 t: 713.374.0000 www.zieglercooper.com