Quote:
Originally Posted by Drybrain
I think the big difference with those buildings and this is that while operating with a lot of the same general design vocabulary, the Ny ones are, for lack of a better word, elegant. The derive a lot of their beauty through symmetry and relatively simple massing. The Lydon Lynch proposal (and I'm surprised, because they're normally so good) is too mish-mashy.
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I agree, there is more symmetry with the NY ones, but nothing that cannot be be fixed in this proposal. Certainly, some aspects need to be toned down, things are a big mishy-mashy. But the unusual shape (wrapping, from above, the old bank) and incorporation of heritage facade all work for me.
I think you could have more symmetry, if the accordion part and some of the unbalanced angles on the windows and facade further up where toned town (or made more symmetrical).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drybrain
There are lots of places where older buildings are being incoporated into larger developments as sort of boutique elements--seems like it would fit with this project with all its hotel/residential components.
I posted this before, but check this project in Toronto out. A full restoration of a run-down structure as boutique office space and business incubator. ( Before and after photos here.) If they can find a way to use low-rise, run-down structure in the middle of Toronto's financial district, surely we can do better in Halifax with the relatively small (and not growing) but still strong heritage stock here. Indeed, the preservation of the Merrill Lynch building suggests that. Given how stunning it is inside, I can imagine it serving as a kind of gala/event space for all the fancy folks who'll be using the office/hotel/residential tower. I'm sure that those brick buildings on this site, especially, have some original features inside. |
I love this stuff, but I don't think some like that is possible in Halifax right now, as the economics just don't work.
In Toronto, you have the sky high property value and the intense levels of density, such that you can have a shorter restored heritage building and easily find high end tenants like "trendy" restaurants, specialty shops, or small but high yield business/finance outfits.
Those restaurants and specialty shops survive because surrounding the 7 storey restored heritage building on three sides are 28+ storey skyscrapers, and comparable levels of density a short walk or subway ride away.
In Halifax you don't have those kinds of options in clients, you don't have the density, and you don't have the property values.
I think eventually we will, but to get there, we need developments like this, to bring more high end businesses back downtown, bring prestige back to doing business in the core. Part of that, is working in an office that is the "talk of the town".