Fairmont Hotel and Civic Center – Austin, Texas

I’m still on 4th Street, but travelled 3 blocks east from yesterday’s location. I’m looking south down Red River Street, where we see a big slab of mirrored glass known as the Fairmont Hotel. I’ve featured the Fairmont before, where I expressed my disappointment about the change in design. The curvy original looked more inviting than the rectangular slab that was actually built.

The stairs and scaffolding-like structure on the right is part of the Civic Center. All in all, this view down Red River is not one of Austin’s most prettiest. During SXSW, this road becomes a highway for scooters that connects the Civic Center and the Rainey Street District, which lies on the other side of the Fairmont.

Given the swift pace of downtown development, I won’t be surprised if the parking lots on the left are transformed into yet another tower. Hopefully, its design can beautify this aesthetically challenged area.

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