Saskatoon Construction - Page 393

lbird · #**7841** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country

I'm drawing a blank on past Achs projects right now...

- Starbucks, 22nd and 2nd
- CPR Station
- King George

I know he's got so much more under his belt. Any help?

They did that big townhouse complex by the Victoria bridge (not their best effort).

Measuring Stick · #**7842** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 5:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country

I'm drawing a blank on past Achs projects right now...

- Starbucks, 22nd and 2nd
- CPR Station
- King George

I know he's got so much more under his belt. Any help?

Sasktel's office building on 2nd Ave north of 25th Street and what I think is one of his best the renovation of the old 8th Street RCMP building to Golder and Assoc. office.

I think his only mistake was the development of Avenue P and 22nd Street. Now home to Tux and Tails after having been mostly vacant forever.

circle33 · #**7843** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 5:45 PM**

Some other Achs stuff done under the Meridian banner:

http://www.meridiandevelopment.ca/Photo_Gallery/page_1709105.html

drm310 · #**7844** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 5:57 PM**

I'm not sure how you'd classify it - I certainly don't claim to be an expert. As you say, it's got some elements of Streamline Moderne. It also has a low profile that fits in with the other buildings on that block, and the brick exterior also keeps a similar look to them and the brewery across the street. But, the colour palette looks lighter and more contemporary, as well as the planting beds in front.

I think they would have gone too far if they had stuff like trim or horizontal bands with highly contrasting colours - that would have made it look faux-historic. But I see it as a modern building, so I don't consider it to be invented historicism.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruckus

drm310, would you consider their current head office (one block north of MP) Streamline Moderne, or is it an example of invented historicism? Not sure when it was built, but it has a few elements like rounded corners and glass block walls if I recall correctly.

brithgob · #**7845** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 7:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Measuring Stick

Sasktel's office building on 2nd Ave north of 25th Street and what I think is one of his best the renovation of the old 8th Street RCMP building to Golder and Assoc. office.

I think his only mistake was the development of Avenue P and 22nd Street. Now home to Tux and Tails after having been mostly vacant forever.

I believe he also did CBC's current home on 2nd Avenue

gowest · #**7846** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 7:08 PM**

The Fire Hall on 11th east of Broadway
The blue building at 4th and 22nd
The townhouses on 11th just west of Victoria
Numerous Apartment blocks on the east side.

When you look at the list, it just gets better and better. All 1st class buildings.

Measuring Stick · #**7847** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 7:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowest

The Fire Hall on 11th east of Broadway
The blue building at 4th and 22nd
The townhouses on 11th just west of Victoria
Numerous Apartment blocks on the east side.

When you look at the list, it just gets better and better. All 1st class buildings.

Wow Way more than any of could have thought.

See the list here:

http://www.midwestgroup.ca/real-estate-leasing/property-portfolio/commercial/

The old Railway station on Idylwyld Drive, another gem

circle33 · #**7848** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brithgob

I believe he also did CBC's current home on 2nd Avenue

When I first glanced at your post I thought it said the CIBC building on 2nd Avenue and I threw up a little.

ninipanini · #**7849** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by circle33

When I first glanced at your post I thought it said the CIBC building on 2nd Avenue and I threw up a little.

Haha that building is pretty hideous. I've always had a strange fascination with it though, maybe because it's so monolithic and ugly? Does anyone know when it was built, or anything else about it? Was it always CIBC?

dsim249 · #**7850** Posted **Apr 22, 2010, 10:40 PM**

That building is definitely a top contender for ugliest building in the city. I can't stand it. I don't know anything about its past, but whoever designed it should be punished.

kgc087 · #**7851** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 12:04 AM**

I'm actually very excited to see his remodeling of this building. I don't think bright white should ever been an option for exterior in Saskatoon. We aren't the white city of Greece haha, we have enough white during the winter. I would like to see this building restored to it's previous look rather then the white stucco. I sure hope the 4 story building beside it has some unique architecture rather then a glass box or something.

Devon · #**7852** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 12:16 AM**

I would have to say these 2 are some of the worst in downtown Saskatoon. I have been living here for 2 years and these ones just make me angry. I think its the aluminum-like siding.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...0ferdIBat5R512_g&cbp=12,160.91,,0,-25.94

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...ATpquirb9Jwwxdl5g&cbp=12,145.83,,0,-7.59

my apologies if that was a bit off topic.

kgc087 · #**7853** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 1:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

I would have to say these 2 are some of the worst in downtown Saskatoon. I have been living here for 2 years and these ones just make me angry. I think its the aluminum-like siding.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...0ferdIBat5R512_g&cbp=12,160.91,,0,-25.94

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...ATpquirb9Jwwxdl5g&cbp=12,145.83,,0,-7.59

my apologies if that was a bit off topic.

That's funny how you ahte the taller building and I actually really like it! It reminds me of Tokyo, mind you it's totally rundown but if it was fixed up I think it would be pretty nice. Fascinating how we can have such different opinions.

Devon · #**7854** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 2:46 AM**

It sure is! If it was cleaned up a bit it would be much nicer, I have to admit.

Anyone read the article/interview on Achs in todays SP? Some interesting questions and answers. I like what he had to say about the Warehouse district...Reginas is one of my favourite areas of that city, and I feel like it is slightly looked past here.

Ruckus · #**7855** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 5:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drm310

I'm not sure how you'd classify it - I certainly don't claim to be an expert. As you say, it's got some elements of Streamline Moderne. It also has a low profile that fits in with the other buildings on that block, and the brick exterior also keeps a similar look to them and the brewery across the street. But, the colour palette looks lighter and more contemporary, as well as the planting beds in front.

I think they would have gone too far if they had stuff like trim or horizontal bands with highly contrasting colours - that would have made it look faux-historic. But I see it as a modern building, so I don't consider it to be invented historicism.

Interesting. I'm no expert either, but I like your analysis.

After becoming aware of the many projects Achs has had a hand in I feel less concerned on what he has planned for Modern Press. Still anxious though

Echoes · #**7856** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 5:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgc087

That's funny how you ahte the taller building and I actually really like it! It reminds me of Tokyo, mind you it's totally rundown but if it was fixed up I think it would be pretty nice. Fascinating how we can have such different opinions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

It sure is! If it was cleaned up a bit it would be much nicer, I have to admit.

Anyone read the article/interview on Achs in todays SP? Some interesting questions and answers. I like what he had to say about the Warehouse district...Reginas is one of my favourite areas of that city, and I feel like it is slightly looked past here.

Funny you guys should bring that up. That taller building... on 21 St... formerly the 'Professional Services Building', now the 'Urban Oasis Tower' is getting a facelift. Its facade is being re-done by its new owner, Urban Oasis Homes.

dsim249 · #**7857** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

I would have to say these 2 are some of the worst in downtown Saskatoon. I have been living here for 2 years and these ones just make me angry. I think its the aluminum-like siding.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...0ferdIBat5R512_g&cbp=12,160.91,,0,-25.94

Funny you mention this building. My ex-girlfriends brother just bought it this winter. There was an article about his purchase of it in the SP, I suppose it was so notable because he is quite young (to be buying a downtown office building).

Quote:

Six-storey office building, originally known as the J.H.C. Willoughby Building, named for its builder, Dr. John Henry Charles Willoughby. He also happened to be Saskatoon's first physician, first postmaster and first storekeeper.

It was originally constructed between 1906 and 1910. It has also been known by names such as the Grain Building and, most recently, the Professional Services Building. Its ornamented facade was replaced in the 1960s with plain metal siding. [What a shame.

]

In 2009 it was purchased by Orion Morgan, founder and president of Urban Oasis Homes. The building is being extensively renovated and will be renamed the Urban Oasis Tower. At just 40 feet wide, it is one of the narrowest buildings in downtown Saskatoon.

I would suspect he would change the exterior of the building as well, hopefully it won't have to make you angry any more. haha.
That would be cool if they revealed the original ornamented facade, if it wasn't destroyed, that is.

Caswellian · #**7858** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 2:56 PM**

After being an empty lot for the past two years there has finally been something built on the NE corner of 25th & 2nd....and the winner is....an exciting dirt IMPARK lot!!!

Just what Saskatoon needs, another parking lot!

drm310 · #**7859** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 2:56 PM**

That building is the Paramount Fashion Centre. It replaced what used to be the Daylight (later Paramount) Theatre, which was demolished in 1983:

Not a terribly worthy successor, I agree.

However I think the worst offender is the Affinity Credit Union on 1st Ave & 22nd St: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...3b9hi5p_8R-4LwMAaw&cbp=12,49.18,,0,-3.27

In addition to the hideous metal siding, the chain link fence that's on the roof makes it that much worse. Presumably it's there to hide the rooftop HVAC units, but it's transparent enough so that you can still see them anyway! As if that weren't enough, there's that semi-opaque mesh stuff in front of the parkade, which does nothing but make it look like a giant piece of mosquito netting. The building looks like a penitentiary, and my disgust for it has only increased over time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_...ATpquirb9Jwwxdl5g&cbp=12,145.83,,0,-7.59

Jerry · #**7860** Posted **Apr 23, 2010, 3:50 PM**

Just for reference some shots of Achs new project.

Modern Press Building on Second Avenue North.

Location of Achs new office building.