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

More glass going up.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4907/...2207d418_b.jpg20190207_163750_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7889/...74e69f46_b.jpg20190217_160454_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Glass going up along the inclined facade on Lower Water St.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/...f31398e8_b.jpg20190228_071312 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

I caught a quick glimpse of it this morning while driving along Lower Water. The subtle slope to the glass is really nice.

I'm slightly confused because I thought that part was supposed to be copper. Looking back at the site plan approval the elevation drawings label it as "PERFORATED COPPER PANELS IN FRONT OF SSG CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM W/ CLEAR VISION GLASS TYP."

So does the copper go in later, over top of the glass?

It's hard to tell from this photo, but does the facade follow the curve of the street?

I would say so; if you look closely at Jono's image, there appear to be structural attachments along the mullions of the curtain wall installed thus far. While not necessarily a precise match, their placement more or less corresponds to the clear/uncovered portions shown in the image below:

http://armourgroup.com/wp-content/up...e-1160x700.jpg
http://armourgroup.com/wp-content/up...e-1160x700.jpg

I looked at it closer and there are large brackets protruding from the glass above the first floor. I've not yet had a chance to go out to the end of the pier to see if the first bits of glass also have the brackets attached.

The gentle slope of the glass is very nice and combined with the other 2 slightly smaller glass protrusions the street wall for this building is going to be much nicer than I thought.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7845/...81d977bf_b.jpg20190307_163324 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7834/...f2e9dc3d_b.jpg20190307_163416 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/...58e21ce1_b.jpg20190307_163445 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

The north crane came down today.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7889/...b56caaef_b.jpg20190313_152825 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7857/...ec571e6d_b.jpg20190313_190340_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Thanks for all the photos... can't wait to see this in person!

Looking forward to seeing the "copper" cladding installed. That should really bring it around.

Good project so far, it will make a huge difference on the waterfront, I think.

The slanted face looks great in this image... I'll have to get downtown to see in person soon.

Thanks for the shots Jono.

I wonder how they're going to clean the glass behind the copper.

I was thinking the same thing.

Some pics from the waterside. No sign of brackets for the copper cladding on the outermost part of the glass, but it could be that it will be hung from the top?

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7902/...d41a2309_b.jpg20190316_151318 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7886/...8687472f_b.jpg20190316_151240_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7809/...c4b3803b_b.jpg20190316_151300 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

They have a lot of the blueskin on now and brackets are up to support masonry. Hopefully we see some sandstone soon!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7836/...1c1c9754_b.jpg20190320_160855_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

We wait in anxious anticipation of the appearance by Muntz Metal. Sounds like a hard-core band. :thrasher:

:iagree: :haha:

http://i.imgur.com/aSWFZap.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/peGf4zf.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/7918/4...b21ee9bb_b.jpg20190407_124655 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

Also of note, the Stubborn Goat is rebuilding their beer garden. I've not seen plans but the way its been described sounds nice.

First bit of Sandstone has gone up!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1d54e7bf_b.jpg20190414_143502 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...eeb0f6a0_b.jpg20190414_131146 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

The sea bridge is back in for what I presume is its final season and I am happy to see that the stairs leading into the water from the central public area are being installed. I had heard, that they had been cut from the design.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1c8658b4_b.jpg20190428_135733_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2c743d98_b.jpg20190428_135422_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4cf42452_b.jpg20190428_140127_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0b0b905a_b.jpg20190428_134901 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

The glass looks top notch. Fits perfectly into the waterfront.

I checked out the sea bridge before hopping the ferry this morning. The building looks really good from the water.

I find the glass looks way too blue currently, but I think that will be tempered once the copper goes in. The stone is looking good so far.

Also, the walk down Lower Water is much nicer now that that side has most of its cladding. The sloped wall really helps that side not feel claustrophobic.

I feel like the glass might still have a protective film on the inside. Everything just looks so blue when you look through it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...29b76af3_b.jpg20190512_202003 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b4168f0b_b.jpg20190512_202626_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...900016a3_b.jpg20190512_202900 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5c587050_b.jpg20190512_203046 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9d393031_b.jpg20190512_203126_HDR by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...63b14a54_b.jpg20190512_203239 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...29044d96_b.jpg20190512_203343 by Jonovision23, on Flickr

I have to say, so far I am pleased with how the sandstone seems to be tying this building in with its surroundings.

There was some (what appeared to be) aluminum going up yesterday on the North side. I assume the 'oxidized' exterior finish will go over top of this?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...24be1979_b.jpg