Saskatoon Construction

[macca]

Oh man they got the cones out and everything! I'm not gonna get any work done this summer because I'll be watching this out the window.

[bcm2008]

haha then you must take pictures then!

The office development does not excite me but it sure is a start! We need cranes in downtown Saskatoon One day my friends one day!

[swilley]

Anyone care to predict when this TOWER will reach full height? I say in two weeks...

[CtrlAltDel]

I've heard rumblings today about Cameco building two towers behind River Landing. I think it was mentioned before, but just
wanted to say that I've heard it too.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

I've heard rumblings today about Cameco building two towers behind River Landing. I think it was mentioned before, but just wanted to confirm that I've heard it too.

Two eh? Interesting...

[swilley]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

I've heard rumblings today about Cameco building two towers behind River Landing. I think it was mentioned before, but just wanted to confirm that I've heard it too.

That would severely piss me off if they went with two shorter towers as opposed to one actual tall tower.

[CtrlAltDel]

Originally Posted by swilley

That would severely piss me off if they went with two shorter towers as opposed to one actual tall tower.

It's definitely disappointing for sure, if that's the way it turns out. Unless it is TWO 30 storey towers, that would look pretty nice!

[jaysfan99]

We can only dream. Someday, someday,..................yes someday.

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

It's definitely disappointing for sure, if that's the way it turns out. Unless it is TWO 30 storey towers, that would look pretty nice!

[kgc087]

would i cost more to build two smaller twin towers say at 15 floors each as opposed to one 30 floor building?....Maybe with enough persuasion Cameco will rethink two towers and do one major gleaming highrise!

[bcm2008]

screw that! I will not come back to this city if I see another crappy ass 15 story tower go up. We need height so that people will start to appreciate the skyline here, and we need buildings to represent Saskatoon. If Cameco does not realize this then I will truly give up on Saskatoon.

[bcm2008]

I don't mean to be harsh but it's true! Saskatoon has such a small skyline. It needs more height! Cameco is racking in the big bucks, why not show their power and build something people will talk about. Who would talk about two 15 story office buildings.... only the old people b/c they don't like change! CHANGE IS WHAT SASKATOON NEEDS DAMMIT!

[prairieguy]

IF...and I think right now it is still a bif "IF", Cameco does build close to River Landing (or even by the boathouse, as has been mentioned here), is there not zoning height restrictions for buildings that close to the river? It seems to me for River Landing Village the max height was 20 floors. Would that be why Cameco may be considering two 15 floor "towers"? Unless they choose to build more centrally downtown, they may have zoning restrictions on them with respect to how high they can go (and I think they will want to be as close to river as possible so their head offie has a river view and proximity to river for employees).

I too would be disappointed with 'smaller' towers, BUT that doesn't prevent a creative architect from coming up with something truely innnovative, unique and spectacular for Saskatoon....remember size isn't everything, it's what you do with it!

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by bcm2008

I don't mean to be harsh but it's true! Saskatoon has such a small skyline. It needs more height! Cameco is racking in the big bucks, why not show there power and build something people will talk about. Who would talk about two 15 story office buildings.... only the old people b/c they don't like change! CHANGE IS WHAT SASKATOON NEEDS DAMMIT!

Your previous 2 statements are quite ignorant in regards to architecture and even elderly perception of change! But we'll keep this oriented towards Saskatoon construction. I think everyone here is forgetting that height doesn't necassarily mean beautiful and awe inspiring. I'd prefer to have two smaller towers which are DRIPPING with STUNNING architecture rather then one larger mediocre modern glass box. I think that would mark Saskatoon as a truley modern city oriented towards positive future success if they focused on more creative, unique buildings, even if they are smaller, rather then a tall glass column. Living in Calgary, I've seen plenty of glass boxes that do not add any aesthetic appeal, infact people often curse them and how ugly they truly are. As for giving up on Saskatoon, it is one of the science and research capitals of Canada, if not THE capital. It will never be a Toronto or Calgary, it will most likely stay smaller but will eventually develop into an exciting metroplitan place. We are redeveloping ourselves and within 50 years the city will be a magnificent haven of knowledege and modernity while preserving its heritage.

[bcm2008]

It's called an opinion. I'm not here to put down others, I'm just here to talk about construction and state my opinions just like everyone else.

I have a strong belief in height and you don't. So be it!

[bcm2008]

I'm not here to state how much I know about architecture. I'm here to talk about construction and find out what's going on in the city. If you want to try and be a know it all and prove a point. Then go to some other forum.

Ignorant? I think you need to take a look at yourself...

[swilley]

Originally Posted by bcm2008

I have a strong belief in height and you don't. So be it!

Aside from the bickering, this sums it up. I want the height as well, and I would be willing to give up some quality to get it. Now, if this was Toronto and height was not an issue I might sing a different tune. Some people prefer quality over size, to each his own. In the end, we need what ever we can get!

[molasses]

I'm bashing you anyone at all, but I'm sometimes amazed at the insistence that height is needed for a successful city/beautiful building etc. particularly when I think of some of my favorite cities...one's that within an hour or two of arriving I've been completely blown away/in love with and ready to move there......None of them have tall buildings as the defining feature of their skyline.

I'm refering to alot of places with completely stunning architecture, like Ljubljana, Slovenia (home of Joze Plecnik - one of the great Art Nouveau Architects) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ljubljana

or Budhapest (again lots of brilliant Art Nouveau stuff) or Zagreb, Crotia, or even Oxford or Cambridge.

All of these places have no defining towers, Ljubljana in particular, most buildings aren't more than 5 or 6 stories high, but there is such a concentration of great buidlings and incredibly well design public spaces, that it makes it such a great place just to hang out and wander.

I guess it is very much an aesthetic choice, but I'd much rather many stunning buidlings with great public spaces, than just big show-y towers....which I think would Saskatoon very nicely.

[kgc087]

Originally Posted by molasses

I'm bashing you anyone at all, but I'm sometimes amazed at the insistence that height is needed for a successful city/beautiful building etc. particularly when I think of some of my favorite cities...one's that within an hour or two of arriving I've been completely blown away/in love with and ready to move there......None of them have tall buildings as the defining feature of their skyline.

I'm refering to alot of places with completely stunning architecture, like Ljubljana, Slovenia (home of Joze Plecnik - one of the great Art Nouveau Architects) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ljubljana

or Budhapest (again lots of brilliant Art Nouveau stuff) or Zagreb, Crotia, or even Oxford or Cambridge.

All of these places have no defining towers, Ljubljana in particular, most buildings aren't more than 5 or 6 stories high, but there is such a concentration of great buidlings and incredibly well design public spaces, that it makes it such a great place just to hang out and wander.

I guess it is very much an aesthetic choice, but I'd much rather many stunning buidlings with great public spaces, than just big show-y towers....which I think would Saskatoon very nicely.

I completley agree with you molasses. Some of the most beautiful cities in the world are built on a small scale; paris - minus the financial district, prague, barcelona, and the list could go on. Some of these cities have large buildings but do they really contribute to the overall aesthetics, some do and some dont. I don't want to say this is the only right opinion but I think for a city to have a lasting impression quality over quantity is the way to go regarding architecture. Once that quality is established larger more elaborate structures will be built which everyone can be proud of. And as well bcm, architecture is one of the most integral parts of construction, without the architect the building could not be constructed.

[macca]

I agree wholeheartedly with molasses, however, the likelyhood of Saskatoon developers/builders constructing the type of buildings being discussed (mid rise beauties at great density with thoughtful public spaces) is extremeley low. It's also unlikely we'd get two 15 storey architecturally brilliant towers. What's more likely is that we'd something that's similar to the Scotia Centre. Fairly boring modern/post modern glass towers that adds little to either the streetscape or the skyline of our downtown (though the scotia centre does incorporate street level retail, I'll give it that).

One 30 storey commercial tower, however ugly it may be and whoever poorly it may interact with the street, still says something to anyone who sees a picture of the city on a postcard. It's unfortunate, but that's the way I see it.

[kgc087]

Another fine point made Macca. Hopefully Saskatoon developers will see that a more quality development will ultimatley bring them more business and respect in the end.