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I saw my first top-out!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

 

 

I saw my first Top Out…at least that I remember. What is a Top Out? It’s not topping off when you fill your gas tank or topping off your glass with the last drop from a good bottle of wine! 

It’s a term relative to construction of buildings. I stopped and took this picture off Hwy 183N in Austin TX where more cranes are sprouting with new construction projects. This tree standing tall on top of the building is not because someone thinks it looks atheistically pleasing. It’s there because the builder upholds the tradition when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its erection a tree is placed to celebrate!  It’s a sign that a construction project has reached its most auspicious point.

Builders have many traditions and this one has been carried on as a kind of secular blessing for the building and its future inhabitants. Some builders view this tradition symbolizes the hope the building will be everlasting.  Some are superstitious and feel this tradition must be followed or bad things could happen.

I like traditions and this one highlights the culmination of a project nearing completion. The pride of accomplishment is held high for all to see..I salute you…..a job well done!

AND... if you  are looking for a Realtor® in NW Austin who will give you the professional real estate services you deserve...before, during and after your Sale or Purchase...Call Dorie Dillard...let me put my expertise to work for you..call me at 512-346-1799. I offer hands-on Professional guidance for all your real estate needs.

 

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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Adele Langdon
Los Angeles, CA
Exclusive Realty Inc.

I did not know what that meant. Very interesting... now I will have to look for trees in Los Angeles on top of buildings. Yes I also wonder what happens to the tree after. Do they make it part of the building and plant it later?

Jun 18, 2015 12:29 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Thanks for explaining what a "top out" is Dorie.  And yes, what do they do with the tree after the building is completed? You got a great shot!  Was it with an iphone?

Jun 18, 2015 12:48 AM
Michele Milic
Realty ONE Group ~ 702.419.5359 - Las Vegas, NV

I've never heard of this before....very interesting. Thank you for sharing this.

Have a wonderful day.

Jun 18, 2015 12:49 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I have two projects that I will keep watching as they near completion. Our low rises don't appear to have the same tradition Dorie.

Jun 18, 2015 12:59 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Now that is a very cool tradition. I love it. Hopefully they take that tree and plant it somewhere around the building grounds. 

Jun 18, 2015 01:01 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Dorie, what an interesting tradition, I've never heard of it before, learned something new on ActiveRain again!

Jun 18, 2015 04:32 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Dorie - I wondered about those trees for many years before I finally got the tradition explained to me. Cool!

Jun 18, 2015 04:47 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Dorie, I never knew this, now I do thanks to you. That is really cool.

Jun 18, 2015 06:01 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Dorie: This is definitely a first for me. I do not recall seeing trees on top of buildings before but now I know what it means when I do.

Jun 18, 2015 06:01 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dorie I had never heard of that tradition before, so I learned something new from you today :)

Jun 18, 2015 06:55 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

That is a tradition that I have not heard of in a long time. I almost thought that everyone quit doing this.

Jun 18, 2015 07:30 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dorie- this is one of my favorite traditions!  So glad you got to see it.

Jun 18, 2015 10:40 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Dorie, I didn't know they did this in the US.  It's tradition is alive and well in Germany and a great reason for a celebration!  I have never seen this done here though!

Jun 18, 2015 11:11 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Dorie.  Do you know where this tradition was first celebrated?  Thanks.

Jun 18, 2015 09:00 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't see this tradition in our County, Dorie but have seen it in many other cities.

Jun 18, 2015 09:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi everyone, thanks for all your comments! Conrad Allen to answer your question this tradition started in Scandinavian, migrated to England and Northern Europe and then to the United States!

Jun 18, 2015 10:08 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Well that's cool ! Thanks for sharing that info.  This country gal hasnever seen a tree on the top of a building.  But -- if I ever do I will snap a picture of it and think of you ! (And write a blog about it, of course!) HA!! 

Jun 18, 2015 10:38 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Dorie -- great photo and another indication of a market with lots of new construction.   A good sign of prosperous times.  

Jun 18, 2015 11:58 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hey hey Dorie-see that a lot here and it is a good tradition to keep. I do it with all my construction projects and in the end the tree goes to the community.

Jun 19, 2015 08:38 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I like traditions too. I hope, this building will be standing strong for many years.

Jun 24, 2015 04:41 PM