Video Tour of the New Austin City Limits Studio and Chat with KLRU’s Bill Stotesbery

Like a pubescent teenage boy, Austin has had quite a few high-rises popping up lately. The newest-and the last for a while-to grace the skyline is the W Austin Residencies. With its glass paneling and clean lines, it is, by far, the sexiest erection yet. But the W is only one piece of the entire development project known as Block 21. And while the W will compliment the city’s beauty, the other major piece of Block 21, the new Austin City Limits Studio, will enhance the city’s soul.

Yup, after 30 years hidden on the UT Campus, the beloved television show is moving to new digs in the chic 2nd Street District. A couple of weeks ago, we got a private tour of the construction site and a preview of the new studio. For the record: The new Austin City Limits studio is gonna be FUTURE!

Befitting its recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Landmark status, the show’s new venue comes complete with a grandiose master staircase, private box suites and a big shiny sign. More importantly, the acoustics have been expertly engineered, and the venue will have a much higher capacity, easier wheelchair and bathroom access, and B-A-R-S! Even with a larger capacity, however, the new studio will still remain intimate: NO views are obstructed, and the farthest seat is only 60 feet from the stage. In fact, standing where the stage will be, the open, compact design reminded of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

Austin City Limits will begin shooting in February 2011. When not being used by KLRU, the studio will be an official Live Nation concert venue, helping the city got larger acts that might not want to play in the not-designed-for-concerts Erwin Center.

Check out the video, below, to get a better idea of what the site is like. And while we weren’t allowed to video everywhere, the footage we do have and the photos we smuggled out will def whet your appetite.

Also, check the video for a chat with KLRU-TV CEO and Austin City Limits Dude Bill Stotesbery. Perched on a balcony in the W Residencies, Bill tells us why Austin City Limits needed to move the studio, describes some of the new features, and tells us what they’re going to do with the old Austin City Limits background.

BTW: KLRU-TV is currently in the middle of a pledge drive. Donate and ensure that programming like Austin City Limits keeps being made!

WATCH: In the video below, Chris gets a tour of the new Austin Limits Studio. He also chats with KLRU-TV CEO Bill Stotesbery about the beloved television shows move.

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