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harls
Oct 31, 2007, 6:23 PM
Minto Place Phase III - Below Ground
19 storey commercial tower
Developer: Minto
Location: 180 Kent St.
Web: Not available

Rendering:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2/Reersmeer/180Kent.jpg

Recent pics (by me) :

Oct 26, 2007:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/1762142017_4d20847e0d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/1762125217_4374e77f59_b.jpg

courtesy ottawagal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottawagal/1799021288/in/set-72157600073159180/)(on flickr and SSP):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/1799021288_b6dab92fe1_b.jpg

Oct 31, 2007 - 180 Kent crane reflection in newly constructed Constitution Square III

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/1808997051_f5e7962056_b.jpg

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photo albums of construction *updated regularly*

blix613 on flickr (moi):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blix613/sets/72157601591015627/

ottawagal on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottawagal/sets/72157600073159180/

harls
Nov 9, 2007, 9:07 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/1936088061_93e6d703db_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/1937029244_b64e2a1003_b.jpg

He must be looking at the 'big hole'..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/1936943836_86d3b56235_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/1936939038_6fbadcec9e_b.jpg

harls
Nov 20, 2007, 6:57 PM
What's the deal with all those hoses/wires? Electrical?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/2050055575_5a3752a903_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2050838962_b869e59639_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/2050052943_3263d7794a_b.jpg

harls
Nov 29, 2007, 7:19 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2073618751_08abee13fb_b.jpg

harls
Feb 4, 2008, 7:25 PM
I'm sure everyone's dying to know - they're on the last level of the parking garage now (4 levels total) After that, they'll be flush with the street.

Deez
Feb 9, 2008, 1:09 AM
Updates from this week.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2251749908_f174aa20e0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2251749224_19f650c85b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/2250953317_113f2e7e0c_b.jpg

Go go blue box.

harls
Mar 3, 2008, 10:17 PM
It looks like they're at ground level now. Should be seeing some progress above ground soon.

Ottawa's Blue Glass District. I wonder if there's some sort of ordinance? :haha:

Aylmer
Mar 4, 2008, 12:20 PM
Nah, the developper was feeling creative!

:)

harls
Mar 11, 2008, 8:38 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2327606562_6cf8b623eb_b.jpg

Deez
Mar 11, 2008, 10:32 PM
Btw...the ground floor slab has been poured on the south side as of yesterday.

cityguy
Mar 12, 2008, 12:53 PM
thanks for the update Harls.

harls
Mar 26, 2008, 8:36 PM
Poking above ground

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2364721228_18159c9e47_b.jpg

harls
Apr 9, 2008, 5:26 PM
1st floor is almost complete. Lots of cement trucks lined up on Laurier today.

harls
Apr 16, 2008, 7:33 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2419483056_843c171b2f_b.jpg

harls
Apr 23, 2008, 6:16 PM
Movin' along.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2437108880_e78414076a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/2436291883_1768c8d062_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2238/2436296265_25c3d84933_b.jpg

ajldub
Apr 24, 2008, 2:21 AM
Something's cookin' in Ottawa's glass box district!!!

harls
Apr 30, 2008, 4:24 PM
They've started on the second level above ground now. No camera today.

harls
May 6, 2008, 7:23 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2471666290_98a975edfa_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2470846407_8240cee08e_b.jpg

harls
May 21, 2008, 7:41 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2511206667_0e51f1316f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2512034914_7394c5b257_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2512031230_d18f01abdc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2512036604_cebc47b74c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2511204969_6de31a0342_b.jpg

c_speed3108
May 21, 2008, 9:11 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2511204969_6de31a0342_b.jpg

So much glass! :stunned:

harls
May 21, 2008, 9:22 PM
^ and there's going to be more!

Deez
May 22, 2008, 1:49 AM
So much glass! :stunned:

So much ugly!

Some of the Toronto forumers were whining that one of their recent tower project proposals was "too retro-80's" in its use of glass. We're still dealing with glass towers that were designed in the 80's!

AuxTown
May 22, 2008, 3:55 AM
While there are worse things than our 'Glass Box District' (to quote ajldub), we are definately missing out on that Shangri-La/Bay-Adelaide fancy pants glass. The trend seems to be that seemless dark blue/grey glass and I'm likin' it. Maybe Ottawa will see some of that in the future phases of Lebreton with a 25-30 storey tower??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/vannmann/vanstruction4/DSC01896.jpg
Shangri-La taken by Vanman

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2500847446_14d3de6e72_b.jpg
Bay Adelaide taken by Current

c_speed3108
May 22, 2008, 3:55 PM
So much ugly!

Some of the Toronto forumers were whining that one of their recent tower project proposals was "too retro-80's" in its use of glass. We're still dealing with glass towers that were designed in the 80's!

This is a big issue I have with Ottawa Architecture. We seem to fixate on certain designs in this city. This glass overload has even spread to residential buildings now. I am sure the first all glass box looked cool at the time, but enough already!

This was something I always admired about the U of O's architecture: virtually every building has its own design, look at style. Things do have to fit, but can still make a statement on their own.

eemy
May 22, 2008, 4:36 PM
Other than this, what other buildings could be reasonably classified as 'neo-80s'?

AuxTown
May 22, 2008, 4:54 PM
Other than this, what other buildings could be reasonably classified as 'neo-80s'?

Constitution Square I,II,III
Minto I,II,III,IV
RBC Building on Sparks Street

That's enough of this style for me. Not to say there aren't some interestingly unique buildings downtown like Place Export Canada, The Lithwick, World Exchange, plus that one on Sparks with the glass skin on the old facade (not sure what it's called).

c_speed3108
May 22, 2008, 5:04 PM
Constitution Square I,II,III
plus that one on Sparks with the glass skin on the old facade (not sure what it's called).


The Bank of Canada?

harls
May 26, 2008, 7:32 PM
They've put up the renderings of the building on the site now.

They shouldn't have.

Cre47
May 26, 2008, 11:37 PM
^ and there's going to be more!

One thing is concerning is that if a tornado hits that portion of downtown during the daytime you could imagine all the glass blowing down to the streets, and that would give quite nasty consequences. This is twice-the amount of glass of the regular cube box we have. Since we have had F3 tornadoes in the past in the region, this is definitely a possibility and this is what it can do to glass buildings, see the right side of the image. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Damage_Fort_Worth.gif

AuxTown
May 27, 2008, 12:56 AM
God forbid they do anything unique with this tower. It would have been such a great spot for a new tallest for Ottawa....maybe 40 storeys, nothing ridiculous. Hopefully they do something pedestrian-friendly with some of the ground floor or that whole area of downtown is destined to be a ghost town forever.

Photos from www.180kent.com:

http://www.180kent.com/images/gallery/site_plan.jpg

http://www.180kent.com/images/gallery/lobby.jpg
Meh

harls
May 27, 2008, 1:50 PM
Who knew that Ottawa was so mountainous?

c_speed3108
May 27, 2008, 3:35 PM
Who knew that Ottawa was so mountainous?

:lmao:

harls
Jun 5, 2008, 6:11 PM
Starting to get some presence (I have ran out of angles to shoot this thing).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2553481661_8b66e61c53_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2554306868_c3a4a723a3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2554310308_de4047ec7a_b.jpg

With the now topped-out HP in the background..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2554311940_6d4bffe243_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2554312262_448f42fb50_b.jpg

Luker
Jun 5, 2008, 6:28 PM
indeed! im looking at it right now as im in constution square in the corner office overlooking the construction, there working on the 5th floor now rebar layed down as we speak and im sure the 5th floor will be layed tommrow... Its moving quite fast now as they just finished 4th floor on monday (it had taken several weeks)

harls
Jun 5, 2008, 7:54 PM
It is moving a pretty good clip now. I was here for the construction of your building too (similar in size) , and it didn't take very long to complete:

May '06

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/157395463_be7f4fcb45_o.jpg

Sept '06

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/237771089_92a93cdef2_b.jpg

harls
Jun 11, 2008, 1:45 PM
Peek from my office window..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2570590464_561dbd5873_b.jpg

harls
Jun 11, 2008, 6:27 PM
Couple more from today..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2570319481_5e2645090c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2570344671_60d794af8d_b.jpg

AuxTown
Jun 12, 2008, 12:32 AM
That's a monster of a building. Too bad it's not 20 storeys higher.

Luker
Jun 12, 2008, 1:50 PM
i know we need some offsetting heights, and unique buildings id be happy if they added 4-6 32-35 storey buildings just to create a more realistic DT area not completly made up of block 17 storey towers...

*side note*

6th floor is being rebared, pouring of concrete tommrow?

m0nkyman
Jun 17, 2008, 5:03 AM
From today:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2586559166_4687b2c878_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2586559166/in/set-72157605057223311/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2585722989_c492452a70_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2585722989/in/set-72157605057223311/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2586558384_b9dd2fd24b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2586558384/in/set-72157605057223311/)

harls
Jun 17, 2008, 8:07 PM
Almost ran into you, m0nkeyman. One of these days.

harls
Jun 23, 2008, 7:12 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2605162404_de38955329_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2605156242_64772c518f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2605041648_d6db43e91f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2604281497_9e522f68c5_b.jpg

harls
Jun 30, 2008, 12:22 PM
There's a huge Canadian flag on the Laurier ave. side now.. it looks pretty spiffy. Too bad I didn't bring my camera today.

harls
Jul 2, 2008, 8:15 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2631295833_c28365a4bf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2631287797_a42e984166_b.jpg

harls
Jul 10, 2008, 6:48 PM
They've installed the freight elevator now. Motoring along at a good pace.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2656554724_128aba1dd2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2655728559_ba2acf6cea_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2656558416_7e15cf93ed_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2656560312_21b939ea2d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2656579326_23d2bddc0e_b.jpg

harls
Jul 17, 2008, 4:58 PM
On the 10th floor already.. halfway there.

by the looks of it, I think it will be higher than the Jean Edmonds towers across the street.

harls
Jul 21, 2008, 1:41 PM
They're on the 11th floor now..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2688410097_01c3f1556c_b.jpg

harls
Jul 24, 2008, 1:19 PM
Oops..


Man seriously hurt at Ottawa construction site

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | 3:45 PM ET

CBC News

A 53-year-old worker suffered chest injuries, a fractured leg, and facial cuts when he was struck by a load of steel bars as they were being lifted by a crane in downtown Ottawa.

The accident took place on the third floor of a building under construction near Kent and Slater streets just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to an Ottawa Paramedic Service news release.

The structural bars being lifted were the type used to reinforce concrete in buildings.

The worker was lowered to the ground using a crane and rescue stretcher, the release said.

As of noon, he was listed in serious condition in hospital


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/07/23/ot-construction-080723.html

aesthetic
Jul 25, 2008, 6:43 PM
Thanks for the continuous updates of this site Harls. It's really appreciated.

harls
Jul 29, 2008, 4:58 PM
Hey thanks aesthetic... and welcome, by the way.

A few more from today..didn't have the SLR, and I can really tell the difference in quality.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2713592369_873cbc5f44_b.jpg

I think you won't be able to see the Minto Suites from here once it's finished.. they're pouring the 12th floor right now.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2713597007_071e950583_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2713606099_fcc887b8d0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2714419408_17b2b3ce95_b.jpg

aesthetic
Aug 9, 2008, 11:21 PM
Appreciate the welcome, harls. :)

harls
Aug 19, 2008, 12:49 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2775253039_a456b17710_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2776110816_6bd8f7099b_b.jpg

Plaza on Slater

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2776103248_e697acf644_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2775250541_92341a510c_b.jpg

Kent Street

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2775248181_25e22d1366_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2775237455_a19a20b2d3_b.jpg

Davis137
Aug 20, 2008, 11:48 PM
They've made some nice progress on that building...

Jamaican-Phoenix
Aug 21, 2008, 1:06 AM
Admittedly, it doesn't look too bad. I jsut wish it was taller... :(

Mille Sabords
Aug 21, 2008, 1:44 AM
Awesome pics as always Harls, thanks!

harls
Aug 21, 2008, 12:26 PM
Still another 4 floors to go. It's already as high as the Fisheries n' Oceans building across the street.

citizen j
Aug 23, 2008, 7:47 PM
Thanks for the photos, Harls.
I was in the neighbourhood on the 18th (spent about an hour in the Minto Design Centre just after lunch) and wondered if I'd see you taking pictures out on the street. Must have missed you.
Appreciate all the updates!

Davis137
Aug 27, 2008, 1:40 AM
Oh yeah, forgot to give props to Harls...nice photo's man...I was down on Kent a few days ago, and that new building certainly adds some more presence to the south western portion of the business district...

harls
Aug 27, 2008, 4:52 PM
Working on the 16th floor now.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2803669230_4746c0461f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2803672416_4a6052c997_b.jpg

harls
Sep 3, 2008, 6:31 PM
18th Floor as of today. Almost finished.

harls
Sep 10, 2008, 2:04 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2845852904_925ef1c663_b.jpg

harls
Sep 10, 2008, 5:17 PM
A few more..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2845508671_9156e325cf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2846346452_8bc743e313_b.jpg

Minto Suites Hotel is completely blocked from view now.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2846348034_06028358e2_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2846349682_806fe30c99_b.jpg

Davis137
Sep 10, 2008, 9:40 PM
Cool shots Harls...get a real sense of the size of the place from them...

harls
Sep 16, 2008, 1:14 PM
Laurier was blocked off this morning as they were lowering some platforms down to the street. I guess it's topped off now?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2862766936_93375aaeda_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2861937035_9999df1899_b.jpg

Additional gawkers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2861938073_0bf964775e_b.jpg

harls
Sep 23, 2008, 6:15 PM
I think this is the last floor..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2883009932_1e33e202bc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2883012758_f850aacef3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2882185111_1a082214f3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2882187207_235ab24be3_b.jpg

Hello Girls.. :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2882187951_1df7eafe4a_b.jpg

Davis137
Sep 23, 2008, 9:35 PM
Good Update...

harls
Oct 2, 2008, 5:13 PM
I wonder when they'll start putting in the glass.. when I walk by I can see it stacks on each floor.. only a matter of time I guess.

Here's 2 shots from Kent and Somerset.. just a few more floors and it might've actually stuck out... alas it is lost in the sea of cubes.

M0nkyman, I saw your restaurant - I should've stopped in for a slice. :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2907842002_1b8104ac29_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2907005379_5cd01308b1_b.jpg

harls
Oct 21, 2008, 6:26 PM
Some glass going up now...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2961422433_e595543a22_b.jpg

m0nkyman
Oct 21, 2008, 10:33 PM
M0nkyman, I saw your restaurant - I should've stopped in for a slice. :D


Yes. You should have. :P

Aylmer
Oct 22, 2008, 1:17 AM
Ah! Which?

:)

Indescribable
Oct 25, 2008, 11:00 PM
Do you know if its taller or the same as its similar neighbour?

harls
Oct 27, 2008, 2:54 PM
It's a bit taller than the centre building of Minto Place, but not as tall as Confederation Square across the street (the other blue box).

harls
Oct 28, 2008, 5:45 PM
More of that lovely green framed blue glass.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2981202107_07dd3912db_b.jpg

Davis137
Oct 28, 2008, 11:32 PM
Minto seems to have Madd love for sand and teal on their buildings...seems like a lot of them are this way in Ottawa...

drawarc
Oct 29, 2008, 1:19 AM
Nice pics.

I'm guessing 180 kent will also have the pyramid roof like the other buildings...

m0nkyman
Oct 29, 2008, 6:51 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2984027087_dd4372b48e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2984027087/in/photostream/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2984883318_2497619bb8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2984883318/in/photostream/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2984026723_79c4556f9d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m0nkyman/2984026723/in/photostream/)

From just before the snow hit.

harls
Nov 12, 2008, 8:16 PM
More roofwork.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3024881735_52acba1f32_b.jpg

Indescribable
Nov 17, 2008, 4:09 AM
It actually turned out to be 20 stories, no?

Davis137
Nov 17, 2008, 11:24 AM
I would imagine that they are going to be working like crazy to start getting the glass and other facades on before the snow starts coming...and stays...

harls
Nov 17, 2008, 1:45 PM
It actually turned out to be 20 stories, no?

According to the spray-painted plywood on the freight elevator, the last floor said 18, then there's the roof... but I don't know for sure how they count it.

harls
Nov 20, 2008, 7:44 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/3046458046_4ec132161e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/3046475464_7205e4aac2.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/3045641519_8e70043039.jpg?v=0

harls
Dec 1, 2008, 6:56 PM
Rooftop view with newly jacked Mondrian crane in the background

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3075241066_c9af5951f8_b.jpg

More glass - up to the 6th floor now. The mod spaces are gone from the Slater St. side..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/3074408265_154fecbb3e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/3075269672_6edd5d48a6_b.jpg

harls
Dec 2, 2008, 4:11 PM
There is a design competition for Public Art on the 180 Kent Website...today in the Lobby area, they are showcasing the finalists' submissions.. I thought they might be online to view, but no dice. If you're in the area you can check them out and even vote for the one you like the best.



http://www.180kent.com/PublicArt/



Minto invites artists/artist teams to apply to design, fabricate and install two works of public art for 180 Kent; one work of art for the interior lobby, and an exterior work of art to be installed at the corner of Kent and Slater Streets.

These permanent displays will symbolize the green nature and spirit of Ottawa's first office building targeted for LEEDâ„¢ Gold certification, showcasing Minto's position in environmental building leadership.

The selected artist(s)/team will create works of art that are unique, and celebrate imagination and creativity and the role that art and the environment play in our daily lives.

We are grateful for all the submissions in our Public Art competition and pleased to announce the following finalists:

Exterior Site
Noel Harding
Sara Stacey
John Greer

Interior Site
Jerry Grey
Jim Thomson
Ingrid Koivukangas

harls
Dec 3, 2008, 7:54 PM
After more than a year of posting on this here thread, I've come to the conclusion that no one gives a shit about this building :laugh:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/3080731808_7aa0ecb917_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3079905141_311491cce5_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3080741932_9308b6f77b_b.jpg

Deez
Dec 3, 2008, 11:20 PM
After more than a year of posting on this here thread, I've come to the conclusion that no one gives a shit about this building :laugh:


I've read every post :)

AuxTown
Dec 4, 2008, 2:48 AM
I love how that Vancouverite in the Canada forum picked up on the fact that this building is 1980's architecture being built in 2008. Why did they need to copy the other two towers exactly? Would have been a great spot for something a bit taller and an excellent place to try some of that new glass like on BA or RBC. I guess these are a few reasons for the complete lack of interest in this building. Oh well, better than a parking lot as Harls has already stated.

citizen j
Dec 4, 2008, 3:46 PM
Hey Harls, thanks for the updates. It's good to see that hole in the downtown area filled in with something. But, as others have already said, what's with the 1980s suburban office park architecture (on a large scale)? Minto's trying to keep their costs down by recycling an old design? Very dissapointing. And no one is fooled by the teal aluminium mullion/muntin trick -- it never did and never will look like Ottawa's signature oxidized copper.

That said, don't let Minto's shortcomings curtail your activity. I look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour.
Thanks again.

jitterbug
Dec 4, 2008, 9:28 PM
This building does nothing for Ottawa other than fill a vacant lot. Words like uninspired, recycled, dull, and embarassing come to mind. Ottawa will never be on the map, architecturally speaking, with junk like this. But we still love your photos, Harls!

Davis137
Dec 4, 2008, 11:19 PM
Harls, I love the picutres and the updates on this, and other buildings. ANY building built these days, especially ones this big are signs of progress, and I really like the density this building adds to the core.

Keep them coming, as this building should be under wraps this spring...

jitterbug
Dec 5, 2008, 3:30 PM
Harls, I love the picutres and the updates on this, and other buildings. ANY building built these days, especially ones this big are signs of progress, and I really like the density this building adds to the core...

The CBD may be lacking a lot of things, but density isn't one of them. The CBD is not much more than a downtown industrial/office park, complete with cheap, cookie-cutter office buildings - like the new Minto building under construction.

While parking lots and other vacant lots are obviously eye sores, it would be nice to have some urban squares or mini-parks in the core - like the temporary park that used to be where Constitution Square III is now. A good example of what I'm talking about is the outdoor plaza in front of World Exchange Plaza - it's a great gathering place during the summer months and provides some much needed breathing space in an otherwise concrete jungle. Great cities successfully balance high density and exciting, innovative public spaces. Ottawa has a way to go on both fronts.

eemy
Dec 5, 2008, 3:34 PM
I think that Minto may have wanted to maintain a consistent image and feel to the overall development. For example, it wouldn't seem right to build a new tower as part of the TD Centre development in Toronto in an entirely different style. That said, the TD Centre is a fantastic example of architecture, and this is not.

jitterbug
Dec 5, 2008, 5:38 PM
I think that Minto may have wanted to maintain a consistent image and feel to the overall development. For example, it wouldn't seem right to build a new tower as part of the TD Centre development in Toronto in an entirely different style.

That may be true, but I'm sure it's also cheaper for Minto to simply dust off a 20 year old design than come up with something new and different. Maybe all that mirrored glass is meant to be reflect what Ottawa is: smoke and mirrors but little substance.

sgera
Dec 5, 2008, 9:25 PM
i like that it's a 'green' building....but uninspiring twin replica of its older brother and sister....arghh....wish Minto would have stuck Metropole II in its place ;)

Beatrix
Dec 5, 2008, 9:57 PM
I hate the teal window thingys. I agree, looks very 1980s.

harls
Dec 10, 2008, 1:55 PM
Here's another killer aerial shot from southfacing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23575605@N08/3071261408/) on flickr - (Nov. 30)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3071261408_ed30e07215_o.jpg

(posting this in all three construction threads (180 Kent, HP, Mondrian) so no one misses it.)

Indescribable
Dec 12, 2008, 2:53 AM
I check in here once in awhile, Harls.

harls
Dec 12, 2008, 9:04 PM
Okay.. I feel the love now. Thanks!

:cheers: :haha:

harls
Dec 12, 2008, 9:10 PM
While parking lots and other vacant lots are obviously eye sores, it would be nice to have some urban squares or mini-parks in the core - like the temporary park that used to be where Constitution Square III is now. A good example of what I'm talking about is the outdoor plaza in front of World Exchange Plaza - it's a great gathering place during the summer months and provides some much needed breathing space in an otherwise concrete jungle. Great cities successfully balance high density and exciting, innovative public spaces. Ottawa has a way to go on both fronts.

I think there will be a pseudo-square in front of this place, with the outdoor art competition and all. I've walked by there many a time and the space is set back quite a bit from the street. Time will tell if it actually attracts the same type of crowds as the World Exchange Plaza does (I know they have outdoor bands playing there in the summer.. same with the space in front of the BMO building on Slater/Bank). Maybe Minto will have something like this after it opens.. I hope they do.

The Fisheries and Oceans building on Laurier usually has some good outdoor crowds during the summer - lots of fish folk with their lunches on both the Laurier and Gloucester sides of the building. Nothing to write home about, though.

AuxTown
Dec 13, 2008, 5:25 PM
A couple of shots from today. None close up because it was way too cold to walk the extra block and I was much more interested in taking shots of HP and Mondrian.

Glass is now about half way up the tower
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9088/dsc01007aw8.jpg

It's a bit dark, but they closed Laurier @ Kent today and there was a huge temporary crane set up. I think it was lifting a massive heating or air conditioning unit onto the roof. I thought about approaching to take some shots of what was being lifted, but I decided to go to the hospital to have my frostbite treated instead.
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9400/dsc01009nv3.jpg

harls
Dec 14, 2008, 12:19 PM
That glass is going up mighty fast. I'll bet the people working inside can't wait to turn the heat on.