Wow, huge progress on this one. Massive building, definitely makes Murphy's and the Nova Scotia Crystal building look out of place. That roundabout ferry terminal dropoff needs some desperate work done to it.

The apparent scale and relationship to the neighbouring buildings might change a bit as the cladding goes on. The bare grey concrete and shadows add to the effect.

I agree completely about the cul-de-sac thing. I also think the clock is sad. The clock mechanism is actually over 250 years old and is the oldest working clock in Canada. It looks like some kind of playground decoration.

Agree.

So correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the material on the second floor facing the water is different than in the rendering... was this section not supposed to be copper?:

https://media1.fdncms.com/thecoast/i...233/queen1.jpg

Certainly looks like it from the rendering. That being said, if they were to do it in copper, they'd be losing the ability to rent valuable water-facing space - maybe they intended to use a copper-colored glass covering similar to the orange one they used at the Central Library?

Their plan is to use a copper alloy called Muntz metal for cladding, which has the appearance of copper but doesn't turn green with corrosion, as bare copper would. The section nearest Lower Water will be clad with Wallace sandstone.

http://armourgroup.com/the-armour-gr...of-this-place/

https://canada.constructconnect.com/...-queens-marque

Info on the sandstone:
http://armourgroup.com/queens-marque...levant-facade/

https://www.trurodaily.com/business/...a-time-160767/

I'm guessing from the photos that the cladding just hasn't been added yet, as it looks unfinished.

The design has changed a bit (and imo, slightly downgraded) since those renderings.

Perhaps the rendering software was not as nice, and obviously the design requires practical changes as it develops, but the newer version looks less elegant to me, and less cohesive overall.

Having said that (and as has been mentioned), much will come down to the actual materials. I remain optimistic and excited about this development.

I know the renderings aren't "exactly" like the real thing.... look at the wharf adjacent to the Cable Wharf... in the renderings, it looks like enough room to berth bigger boats, but it looks like a dory couldn't find a berth in that small space how it is being built...

To me the copper in the original rendering looks a bit like some kind of screen, not cladding. The more recent rendering looks simpler. I wouldn't draw conclusions from minor details in it.

I'd say go look at the plans approved by the city but those often don't match the final product either, or they are so vague that they permit a wide range of outcomes.

I remember that their website used to show numerous renderings including some close-ups that showed their concept for the copper cladding. I recall it having more of a textured/distressed finish, but it looks like that material has been removed from their website, which has now become more of a generic advertisement-type of page.

If the design has been changed, that would explain the website changes.

Has anybody seen the design changes? Is it possible to post them?

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4804/...f6cd0d67_b.jpg20190123_132007 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Seeing how this now looms over that part of the street it is hard to understand why HRM did not require more of a setback.

Isn't it interesting to have the contrast, with some buildings looming over some streets? 99% of the city is not like that, and you can walk a block or two away if you want more space.

There are some cities with overbearing planning requirements that every new building be light and airy and they usually feel kind of boring to walk around in.

Will be a great wind tunnel.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7906/...5cd7b089_k.jpgDartmouth Morning (4 of 6) by Boxcar Bob, on Flickr

I agree. I actually like that aspect of it. I wouldn't want it on every street but I like the variety.

It's also one of the only things I like about the Doyle project, the mini urban canyon it creates on Queen.

And this is a particularly effective location for a zero-setback building. Right as Lower Water turns the corner... it's a nice compression as you're leaving the heart of the old Central Business District... helps mark the end of the old downtown block pattern and the start of the city's northern expansion.

I don't find it to loom nearly as much as I thought it would. Given there is still no cladding so its not quite a perception of a solid wall but I think the gradual slant and breaking up of the massing is a successful way to integrate this without it feeling too overbearing from Lower Water St.

They've set up a leasing office for the residential units in the market area on the waterfront.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7804/...13be3407_b.jpg20190129_154508 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7807/...5e369780_b.jpg20190129_154541 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7811/...85a1faa5_b.jpg20190129_154146_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4824/...3acccd03_b.jpg20190129_153432 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4814/...be6a7897_b.jpg20190206_163732_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr