Saskatoon Construction

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

Thanks for posting CtrlAltDel... that's gorgeous!

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Hi! The rendering of the River Landing project looks great! I guess we'll wait a bit to see the finished product! I'm impressed!

This morning, I came accross a CBC Radio 1 program (The Morning Edition), where Mayor Atchison was on presenting the Lighthouse project, high rise condo tower for affordable and assisted living proposed for downtown S'toon. Has anybody heard of this? Has it been mentioned before on this forum? (or when? Or am I just repeating your previous posts? ) Sounds like a good project to increase urban density!

Here's the link for the real audio segmant that I heard this morning, and the link to the program's website. (Scroll down to "Wednesday, September 3".) Be wary, the website says it holds the links for a week only!

Thanks Scruff Bucket for sharing this with us... it was a very encouraging and exciting interview to listen to!

The Stoneset proposal sounds like it is much further along in the approval process than we were previously aware of. For those of you who haven't listened to the interview, here are a few points that were made regarding the Lighthouse project:
- Commercial/Retail on main level
- 3 floors of parkade (approx. 100 stalls for City of S'toon)
- 4 floors of assisted living
- Possibly an additional floor for Habitat for Humanity
- Above all that: apartments/condos
- will be quite environmentally friendly
- Mayor Atchison: "It will be the tallest building in the province of Saskatchewan." Will be at least 28 floors, Stoneset wants to go 32 (Atch personally supports this)
- described as "futuristic looking", "lots of glass" (have any re-designs been done maybe?)
- Mayor says it's "so close to being finalized." The province and the developer just have to "dot their 'I's and cross their 'T's."

Regarding the city's growth in general, the Mayor said focus is being put on higher density planning (e.g.- last night Council passed an amendment to allow residential housing over shopping centres).

What a great news day!

[swilley]

Walked by the Milroy tonight to see the new paint, looks like they are painting inside the balconies first, so it's anyone's guess as to what colour they have in store for the rest of the building, if anything.

Scruff Bucket, here is the rendering that we have for the project. It is encouraging to hear that this thing is so close. I hope they can get the height, even if they have to wait through some red tape.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Country

Thanks for posting CtrlAltDel... that's gorgeous!



Thanks Scruff Bucket for sharing this with us... it was a very encouraging and exciting interview to listen to!

The Stoneset proposal sounds like it is much further along in the approval process than we were previously aware of. For those of you who haven't listened to the interview, here are a few points that were made regarding the Lighthouse project:
- Commercial/Retail on main level
- 3 floors of parkade (approx. 100 stalls for City of S'toon)
- 4 floors of assisted living
- Possibly an additional floor for Habitat for Humanity
- Above all that: apartments/condos
- will be quite environmentally friendly
- Mayor Atchison: "It will be the tallest building in the province of Saskatchewan." Will be at least 28 floors, Stoneset wants to go 32 (Atch personally supports this)
- described as "futuristic looking", "lots of glass" (have any re-designs been done maybe?)
- Mayor says it's "so close to being finalized." The province and the developer just have to "dot their 'I's and cross their 'T's."

Regarding the city's growth in general, the Mayor said focus is being put on higher density planning (e.g.- last night Council passed an amendment to allow residential housing over shopping centres).

What a great news day!

It does sound like the design has changed. The initial proposal had a good deal a glass, but not enough to warrant the radio hosts enthusiastic comments. Regardless, I'm all for 32 floors

I know Market Mall was considering this some time ago, perhaps they'll be the first in Saskatoon to develop a proposal. I hope a few other shopping centres go this direction as well.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by blammo

A friend of mine says he gets possession of his place at the 2nd Avenue Lofts first week of October. (2008)

Thank you for the confirmation.

[socialisthorde]

+1

[kgc087]

Fantastic news! Hopefully they have removed the stucco belt and funny atriums to make the building more of a collection of geometric shapes of glass. That would be really unique as well as a new architectural statement for Saskatoon. It's great to see the city orienting towards denser development. I would see Market mall being the first to build anythign on top of it since the rest of the area is all mid-highrises as well. I can see the really take a liking to condo development and really promote it to see a greener more dense Saskatoon.

[Ruckus]

A quick response

______________________________
Condo towers proposed for Market Mall site
Rod Nickel, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, September 04, 2008

Market Mall plans to add a pair of condo towers at least 18 storeys high, becoming the first Saskatoon mall to go residential.

The towers combined will have at least 300 condos, said mall general manager Greg Dionne. They will be built, pending approval by city hall, about 30 metres apart on the parking lot near Zellers.

"If you're a senior, you wouldn't need your vehicle because we have everything you need under one roof," Dionne said.

The numbered company that owns the Preston Avenue mall is also planning an 18-storey tower at Gateway Mall in Prince Albert and has approval to build a 10-storey tower at Regina's Northgate mall. It plans to return to Regina city hall to ask council to allow it to build "two or three" towers, Dionne said.

He plans to take the Market Mall plans to city hall for approval this year and start construction in 2009. The final number of storeys hasn't been determined.

"The higher we go up, the cheaper it ends up for us," Dionne said. "Initially, we're looking at no smaller than 18 storeys."

The construction cost is being calculated.

The towers are a good fit in Eastview, said the ward's councillor, Bob Pringle.

"That's the area of town that's going grey. I think that would be supported by the community."

It also seems like a good idea to Alan Wallace, the city's manager of neighbourhood planning.

"Having more dwellings that close by would only support the mall and help us with our housing supply," he said.

Adding residential development to malls is becoming a major industry trend, said Betty Gibbon, general manager of the Mall at Lawson Heights. But she said that mall has no plans for residential units.

Market Mall's plans are timely. City council on Tuesday approved a new form of zoning designed to encourage retail and medium-to-high-density residential uses to co-exist around suburban shopping malls.

The zoning, called B4A, permits a host of uses from retail to banks, hotels and private schools. Movie theatres, day cares, care homes and nightclubs are permitted only as a discretionary use -- that is, with public notice and a decision by city council.

"It makes sense to have places where people can live, work and sleep," said Coun. Charlie Clark Tuesday.

Coun. Maurice Neault said he's excited about the new zoning's potential for redeveloping Confederation Mall with the addition of residential units.

Including movie theatres in the zoning is controversial. City administration's original preference was to prohibit them from B4A zoning to encourage their construction in or near downtown.

Coun. Bev Dubois said she doubts council will approve a suburban theatre complex if it receives a proposal for one as a discretionary use because most councillors wouldn't approve it.

"This theatre thing to me is a joke."

But Neault suggested approving a cinema would be automatic.

"We're never going to say no to a $35-million development of any kind, no matter where it is, as long as it has the right zoning," he said. "If a theatre wants to come here, let them come."

He added making theatres a discretionary use allows residents to voice their thoughts to council before a decision is made.

Coun. Tiffany Paulsen isn't happy that council continues to decide where cinemas can go.

"I have yet to hear why theatres are the panacea of downtown. Council needs to get out of the business of regulating business."

But Mayor Don Atchison suggested the crowds the Galaxy theatre attracts downtown is proof it's good policy.

"If you look at how downtown is rejuvenating, it's been positive for everyone."

Council will consider a city application Sept. 29 to rezone 23 acres of land in University Heights as B4A.

[email protected]

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Source

[joelpiecowye]

sounds nice market mall area seems to me the 3rd densest area in the city, i do wish it would be connected to the mall though and i would really perfer it to be downtown

[subdude]

Great news!

[prairieguy]

I just got an email from the meridian site with respect to the KG. They now have a rendering on their site.

I was the one who originally posted my 'concern' over the exterior finish and I have to say, based on their rendering I am still not thrilled. I thought they were going to go for the 'elegant architecture' of the past. This design just doesn't do it for me. Nice enough, but def below expectations.

http://www.meridiandevelopment.ca/The_King_George/page_2042688.html

[joelpiecowye]

yes i just got the email as well and i am not too thrilled either

here is the piture of the new design



and the old



and the original



truely i see no resemblence of the new design to the original design, no old bricks, no giant arches and crests, just a bland, boring new building built over a once beautiful masterpiece, i am truely not happy with meridian with this

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I just got an email from the meridian site with respect to the KG. They now have a rendering on their site.

I was the one who originally posted my 'concern' over the exterior finish and I have to say, based on their rendering I am still not thrilled. I thought they were going to go for the 'elegant architecture' of the past. This design just doesn't do it for me. Nice enough, but def below expectations.

http://www.meridiandevelopment.ca/The_King_George/page_2042688.html

I saw some glass installed today, probably just for fitting purposes.

I quite like their approach, "classy" describes it best.

It doesn't jump out at you, but that is not the intent (nor should it be).

The glass I saw today appeared transparent, but the rendering shows smoked glass, slightly transparent. I wonder what the final result will look like.

The street level finishing looks like marble or possibly granite

Lighting effects for the roof line elements and ledges would complete the presentation package.

Anyone else notice the beautiful blue lamp post



Source

Huge improvement for that stretch of 2nd Avenue, ahem, the redesigned bus mall won't come soon enough.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by joelpiecowye

yes i just got the email as well and i am not too thrilled either

here is the piture of the new design



and the old



and the original



truely i see no resemblence of the new design to the original design, no old bricks, no giant arches and crests, just a bland, boring new building built over a once beautiful masterpiece, i am truely not happy with meridian with this

That is rather unfortunate, inclusion of arches and replication of the crests would have really set this project apart from future downtown development. The lack of those unique aspects reflects the nature of redevelopment projects, not everything can be restored to its former glory.

The modern KG does come close to the original in terms of presentation, and far far better than the most recent version.

I commend Meridian for their efforts. The KG came close to demolition and that would have resulted in something vastly different (for better or worse) than the historic King George Hotel. Resemblance in the broader form is achieved, however functionally, it is vastly different (before: hotel; now: office, residential, retail).



Edit: the gold script and logo, and what looks to be stone caricatures (lions face?) on the partial mansard roofing are something rather unique, and fitting for this location.

[kgc087]

Well the rendering is an abosolute improvement from what the KG was before. I would like to see more ornamentation to make it closer to the original but I def do feel the french/manhattan feel from the building and find it to be quite attractive. I'm actually surprised with how many windows it will have which is nice! Maybe this will promote some building facelifts along 2nd Ave. There are so many beautiful heritage sites but through years of neglect most of the buildings look like trash.

[kgc087]

Oh and I did notice the blue light pole, does the city have any plan to replace or repaint those. I remember reading in a d/t plan somewhere that the city would eventually like vintage lighting through all of d/t. As well my sister told me yesterday that the city called her work surveying her on how she thinks the d/t should develop in correlation with the city. Good thing she said make it denser, install architectural controls to ensure a beautiful d/t and improve streetscapes.

[prairieguy]

Don't get me wrong....I also commend Meridian for taking on a project of this nature. Overall, the impression is quite positive. HOWEVER, this version varies dramatically from what was described earlier, and that is why I am somewhat disappointed. But I certainly don't want to be critical of development, density and dowtown improvement!

[jaysfan99]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

I saw some glass installed today, probably just for fitting purposes.

I quite like their approach, "classy" describes it best.

It doesn't jump out at you, but that is not the intent (nor should it be).

The glass I saw today appeared transparent, but the rendering shows smoked glass, slightly transparent. I wonder what the final result will look like.

The street level finishing looks like marble or possibly granite

Lighting effects for the roof line elements and ledges would complete the presentation package.

Anyone else notice the beautiful blue lamp post



Source

Huge improvement for that stretch of 2nd Avenue, ahem, the redesigned bus mall won't come soon enough.

I really like it. I looks better than it ever looked. Very nice and classy.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Don't get me wrong....I also commend Meridian for taking on a project of this nature. Overall, the impression is quite positive. HOWEVER, this version varies dramatically from what was described earlier, and that is why I am somewhat disappointed. But I certainly don't want to be critical of development, density and dowtown improvement!

I don't wish to argue over expectations, but I am curious to understand how the rendering departs dramatically from the previous descriptions, we knew it wouldn't be built of brick.

Here is an article describing what the finished project will feature...

Originally Posted by Saskatoon Home Spring 2008

[...]

Meridian Development purchased the building in 2007 and began the task of rebuilding. Meridian's Karl Miller explains how the company plans to return the KG to a grandeur it hasn't seen in half a century.

The renovated King George will consist of a retail level facing 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street, office space on the second floor and 21 luxury residential condominium suites ­ ranging from 700 to 1550 square feet ­ taking up the top three floors. Sixty heated, secure indoor parking spots ­ including secure bicycle storage ­ will be available to all tenants. A rooftop terrace will provide views of the city.

Miller says he expects the renovation to be fully complete by mid-2009. Some suites could be ready for occupancy as early as the end of 2008.

"We're really excited about the project," he says. "We think it will help bring downtown further north ­ bring the excitement back. This used to be the hottest corner in Saskatoon.

"This building is so spectacular. The design work is going to give a real heritage look when we're done and it will look better than it ever did. We'll bring it back to that original splendour."

The developer is re-creating many of the details found in the original building. The company was fortunate to find examples of some of the early ornamentation, such as the lions' heads, crests and iron canopies that adorned the facade. The pieces are being duplicated and reproduced so they can be returned to the building. Inside, castings were taken of ceiling mouldings saved from the grand rotunda to be used to re-create the look throughout the new development.

The remnants of earlier renovations are currently being removed and an entirely new facade will need to be constructed. The new exterior is intended to showcase the magnificence of the interior structure. Windows will extend from floor to ceiling, and column to column.

"It's going to be clad with a pre-cast stone product," says Miller. "All the columns will be rebuilt. We're going to put cornices on the outside. It will have a real Parisian feel when it's done ... yet, there are a lot of 'nods' to what it originally looked like, not the 1960s renovation that most people know it as."

The main floor retail level will exceed city zoning regulations. The renovated KG will provide continuous retail frontage along both 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street.

"All along 2nd Avenue, we're going to have two little retail bays," says Miller. "You won't even know that parking is behind there." (Access to the building parkade will be off the alley.)

The developer says it's important to maintain the 2nd Avenue street scape.

"What destroys a street more? People don't want to walk by parking lots. They want to walk by little shops."

Miller hopes that much of the retail space, especially facing 23rd Street, will attract tenants to serve Saskatoon's growing downtown residential population.

The residential suites are built using the great room concept, consisting of a living room, dining room and kitchen sharing a large space, says Miller. All but the smallest suites will have two bedrooms with two bathrooms.

Each residential suite will have an outward view of the city and an inward view of a landscaped terrace ­ the "green" roof atop the parkade.

The design of the parkade is integral to meeting environmental certification.

The new KG will be the first privately owned building in Saskatchewan certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) "green" building rating system, says Miller. In addition to the "green" parkade, the renovation is being conducted to minimize construction waste. Workers separate metals for recycling, and send concrete and brick to the city yards to be crushed for berm material or road base.

"We spent a lot of time separating out various materials," says Miller. "We donated a lot to Habitat for Humanity. We recycled as much as we possibly could."

Source

[circle33]

I like it.

[Dalreg]

I for one love the new facade. No offense but trying to reproduce the original facade was not the way to go. This is not 1910 or 20's this is 2008! It will make a nice addition to the streetscape when it is complete.