What I think you are referring to looks very dark, much darker than I expected "Muntz Metal" to be.

Yes, it's very dark. I was looking closer this morning and I'm thinking it's not the final finish. The current texture looks almost like a light spray with a can of spray paint. I'm wondering if it's a protective coating that'll later be removed.

However, even if it is the final finish I do like it.

I think this must be some sort of protective coating to be removed when construction is finished (to avoid scratching, presumably).

To the best of my knowledge, Muntz metal is supposed to have the appearance of brass (because it is brass):

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Sark_stern.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntz_metal

My understanding was that it wouldn't tarnish like typical brass, however, but my knowledge is limited to what I've read about it in relation to this project.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8b534b65_c.jpgQueens Marque by Ian Watson, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a158737f_c.jpgQueens Marque by Ian Watson, on Flickr

That has more of the look of tarnished brass, before polishing.

https://laurelleaffarm.com/item-phot...-b911326-3.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxN...RdM1Xs/$_3.JPG

It will be interesting if this is the final finish, though, as it's quite a departure from the original concept of "copper". I actually think that a copper finish (one that doesn't corrode to that light green colour) would be more attractive than "brass" or "tarnished brass".

It actually looks very much like bronze.

...weathered bronze.

New bronze is brighter and shinier than that stuff. But maybe weathered is the look they are going for now?

The original concept renderings as presented showed a brighter shinier copper colour:

https://i.imgur.com/Nc8NtJF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ePFxJYd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6XFk6Lu.jpg

Source

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ENdAk1pW...name=4096x4096
from Development Duffett

I'm getting Dublin and Liverpool vibes from this building. I can't put my finger on why though.

Never thought about it, but I think I know what you mean. It does have that vibe. More Dublin than Liverpool.

They've taken the perforated metal screen off of the Lower Water Street frontage, so it does seem like it was just a test as Jono had thought.

I'm feeling the same thing. Or even London.
I think its down to the midrise, waterfront with juxtaposed high quality materials.

Definitely a London feel especially around the Thames near the Shard.

Any consensus on whether the Muntz Metal has a protective covering on it, or is that dull brown colour the final finish?

It's not a huge area but the blocks below Barrington around here feel a lot like a British city. The Bank of NS looks like something from Glasgow, and Province House could have been built in the UK. The effect would have been even stronger had the old Customs House and Royal Bank been retained. Queen's Marque seems to be adding to this and I hope the Dennis Building redevelopment will complement the feel of the area too.

Up on Barrington buildings like NS Furnishings and the now developed Cragg Bros were much more North American in style.

Does anyone know the hotel that will be going in here?

It appears there's been some significant design changes in this building that I'm not sure have been posted before. In the above rendering, it shows the reddish muntz metal on the top and curtain wall on the bottom but when I was browsing their rental website it has a 3D model on it that looks much more to what's being built there now:

https://i.imgur.com/Nlfumfo.png

Most of the red metal has been scrapped for dark grey, and the curtain wall has been replaced with this almost checkered metal/glasswall. I still have high hopes with this one due to the architects reputation but it looks like the only other metal is going to be the NW corner.

Here's a link to the 3D model that's actually quite well done:
https://projects.blacklineapp.com/queens-marque/

The reddish metal was my favourite part. Without that it looks somewhat anonymous. Still high quality, but like a DND administrative office or something.

I seem to recall a recent AllNS story saying it would be a house brand, 5-stars.

Thanks for that. I hadn't seen it before.

I agree with Nouvellecosse in that the copper-toned sections were the best part of it. I also liked the contrast with the white-ish tones of the sandstone (in the renderings, which probably wasn't realistic anyhow) and that was what made the building design stand out in my opinion - but especially the copper (Muntz Metal).

While the overall design is still interesting, it looks a lot more drab than I was expecting, and thus is somewhat disappointing.

Hopefully it will still be attractive when it's finished, but IMHO the reddish copper tones would have been much nicer. Oh well.