Dobie Center

File:2021 Guadalupe St-MLS Size-014-Exterior Front 681-1024x768-72dpi.jpg

The building was designed by J. & G. Daverman and Associates in 1972. Upon its completion, Dobie Center was the tallest building in Austin, surpassing the Texas State Capitol, which had held the title for nearly 90 years. Dobie was the first modernist building to exist on UT's campus.

The building underwent a US$10 million facelift in 1990 to replace its then brick façade by exposing the glass underneath.{{cite news |title=Dobie Center to get $10 million face lift |work=The Daily Texan |date=January 11, 1989}} When classes began in the Fall 1989 semester, would-be residents of Dobie Center were temporarily relocated to the Radisson Plaza Hotel.{{cite news |title=Radisson to house some Dobie tenants |work=The Daily Texan |date=August 4, 1989}}

On November 11, 2006, a fire, started by an improperly extinguished cigarette,{{cite news |url=https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/112180/20061116.txt?sequence=2&isAllowed=y |work=The Daily Texan |title=AFD finds Dobie fire started by cigarettes |first1=M.T. |last1=Elliott |date=November 16, 2006 |via=Texas ScholarWorks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122025151/https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/112180/20061116.txt?sequence=2&isAllowed=y |archive-date= Jan 22, 2023 }} broke out on the pool deck of Dobie Center causing an estimated $600,000 worth of damage. The pool deck reopened in late April 2008. The fire was contained to an area outside of the residential tower. This structure was an old wooden deck that has been replaced by a concrete structure.

The Dobie Mall was completely remodeled by the Nix Group in the '90s and is now a hub of student activity and shopping.{{Cite web |title=Dobie Center |url=http://www.nixgrouparchitects.com/dobie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915163715/http://www.nixgrouparchitects.com:80/dobie.html |archive-date=Sep 15, 2019 |website=Nix Group Architects}} The mall is a two-story shopping and food center featuring a food court, stores, and even a chapel. The food court today features seating for 500 and various assorted independently run food outlets.

File:2021 Guadalupe St-MLS Size-022-Lobby 703-1024x768-72dpi.jpg

In 2014 the Dobie Center became managed by Campus Evolution Villages, marking the start of over $4 million in renovations, including new hardwood floors, a cafeteria face-lift, and an updated movie and game room. However, there was controversy during this time due to allegations made by many students that Campus Evolution Villages did not uphold their end of a bargain.{{Cite web |last=Buchholz |first=Jan |date=Apr 29, 2014 |title=UT's famed high-rise dorm where Dell launched to get $4 million makeover |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2014/04/uts-famed-high-rise-dorm-where-dell-launched-to.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623170914/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2014/04/uts-famed-high-rise-dorm-where-dell-launched-to.html |archive-date=Jun 23, 2016 |website=Austin Business Journal}}

In October 2021, the University of Texas at Austin purchased Dobie Center.{{Cite web|url=https://news.utexas.edu/2021/10/12/ut-austin-adds-student-housing-options-to-increase-campus-access-affordability/|title=UT Austin Adds Student Housing Options to Increase Campus Access, Affordability|date=12 October 2021 |website=UT News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531222333/https://news.utexas.edu/2021/10/12/ut-austin-adds-student-housing-options-to-increase-campus-access-affordability/ |archive-date= May 31, 2023 }}

The Dobie Center offers monthly resident events ranging from floor events to dorm-wide events, such as book club.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

Additionally, The University of Texas's campus and covered parking garage are draws for students looking for convenience. Dobie had been historically known for having recurring elevator problems, with many students having been trapped in elevators for multiple hours;{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} however, management recently{{When|date=June 2021}} took a major crack on the problem by replacing one of its three decade-old elevators.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

There is a resident assistant on every few floors at Dobie. Dobie is also known for being able to accommodate international exchange students who are looking for a short-term stay due to its low occupancy rate.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

File:Pool and chairs.jpg

Michael Dell, founder of Dell, lived in room 2713 of Dobie Center.{{cite news|work=Austin American-Statesman |title=Michael Dell's view from the top |url=http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/archive/0502dell.html |date=2004-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072747/http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/archive/0502dell.html |archive-date=2011-06-07}}

2016 presidential candidate and former governor of Florida Jeb Bush lived in Dobie Center.{{cite news |work=Austin American-Statesman |title=In Texas, a Focused Jeb Bush Stood Out From the Crowd |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/jeb-bush-texas-years/ |date=2015-03-17}}

Daniel Johnston, outsider singer-songwriter and artist, worked at a now-closed McDonalds in Dobie Mall, located in Dobie Center. He would, reportedly, hand out tapes of his album Hi, How Are You to people while working.{{cite news|work=The Austin Chronicle |title=Spotlight: Daniel Johnston |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2005-03-18/263348/ |date=2005-03-18}}

Some of the stores and restaurants inside Dobie Center include:

• Emiliano's Burrito Factory
• Dobie Market
• The Princeton Review
• Niki's Pizza
• Oma's Kitchen
• Army Recruiting Office
• Navy Recruiting Office
• U.S. Marine Corps Officer Selection Office
• Regus
• Subway
• Target

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Dobie Center}}

• Map: {{Coord|30|17|00|N|97|44|28|W|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-TX}}
• [http://www.dobiecenter.com/ Dobie Center]
• [http://www.landmarktheatres.com/ Landmark's Dobie Theater]

{{S-start}}

{{Succession box|

before=Texas Capitol|

title=Tallest Building in Austin|

years=1972—1984
112m|

after=One American Center}}

{{S-end}}

{{Portal bar|Architecture}}

Category:University of Texas at Austin campus

Category:University and college residential buildings in Texas

Category:Shopping malls in Austin, Texas

Category:Residential skyscrapers in Austin, Texas

Category:University and college buildings completed in 1972

Category:1972 establishments in Texas