Saskatoon Construction

[molasses]

Originally Posted by babtown

I'm wondering if anybody knows what's going on beside the Broadway condo on five corners? They torn up a bunch of nice grass and are obviously planning something... any ideas?

here's the info on this....it's includes the original John Lake plan, which is pretty cool....


Saskatoon’s intersection at Twelfth and Broadway, known as Five Corners, has significance in both the historic and contemporary contexts as a place of convergence and gathering for our residents and visitors. A new interpretive project designed by Lee-Koopman Projects will be located on the City-owned grassed area immediately south of The Broadway condominium complex.

The Broadway Five-Corners Interpretive Project has been initiated to create a sculptural landmark that celebrates and showcases the significance of this place. The installation is intended to be both artistic and interpretive in nature; a piece that invites people to use the space while at the same time educating them about its unique history.

John Lake, Saskatoon’s first surveyor, noted that this was the place where a distinct and well used trail, connecting the Whitecap reserve to Batoche, crossed the South Saskatchewan River. Using this well traveled route as the foundation for a major north-south roadway, Lake created the first town plan for Nutana which later was to become Saskatoon.

Today, this Broadway intersection serves as an integral piece of Saskatoon’s connective tissue, bridging our City Centre which exists on both sides of the river. Both pedestrian and vehicular thoroughfares travel through and/or around this space and it adjoins living quarters, an educational institution, and a commercial district.

This project results from many partners and sponsors including The City of Saskatoon, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The Broadway Business Improvement District, The Meewasin Valley Authority, and Millennium III Group of Companies.

[Ruckus]

^ Even better, sounds interesting, thank you for the information.

[eric121]

Originally Posted by kgc087

I agree that something more aesthetically pleasing could be developed, but that can be said for almost any development. Sutherland isn't the most beautiful neighbourhood around and this development will aid the transition from the worn down mess that it is into a bit more of a suitable aesthetic. This area I feel will be going through serious redevelopment within the next 10 years and this is just one of the few projects that are initiating this redevelopment.

As a random side note, I take the bus daily and have noticed that behind the HIDEOUS cladding that home hardware on central ave. there is a beautiful old structure with terracotta tileing and flairs, it's somewhat reminiscint of chinese architecture, does anyone have any idea what this used to be and what it formely looked like?

I believe the original building was a Safeway grocery store...one of several identical buildings in the city.... the other remaining one is the drug store on 33rd St., which still has a close-to-original exterior.

[midnightrambler]

I think something like this would work on spadina as well. I like the idea of a terraced building allong spadina. Except I'd go with a terrace every floor near the top looking out onto the river. I couldn't find a picture, but it would be something like the above. Make it 15 or so stories.

[kgc087]

Hey everyone, so I'm going to compose an email to send to council expressing my disappointment regarding the proposed tower to be built beside St. John's. I was just wondering if you would like me to include any comments you had to help express that this is a more widespread feeling of disappointment rather then just my individual opinion. As well if you want me to mention any specific topics let me know.

[joelpiecowye]

you are welcomed to put any of my topics, i would also mabey put the webpage(who knows mabey they will even take a look) one very important topic that i can think of is that it is a cookie cutter building, we dont need 2 ugly identical buildings on spadina 1 is already 2 many

[midnightrambler]

I don't want to come down to hard on remai. It's honestly not that terrible. It's like a building in sim city when your starting off early and you're really excited to finally see a tall building then after about 10-15 are built you bull-doze them at first site.

[kgc087]

Just to let everyone know, window installation is happening at the KG, how exciting! The exterior finishing should be going up i'd estimate in about 2 weeks!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Hey everyone, so I'm going to compose an email to send to council expressing my disappointment regarding the proposed tower to be built beside St. John's. I was just wondering if you would like me to include any comments you had to help express that this is a more widespread feeling of disappointment rather then just my individual opinion. As well if you want me to mention any specific topics let me know.

Originally Posted by joelpiecowye

you are welcomed to put any of my topics, i would also mabey put the webpage(who knows mabey they will even take a look) one very important topic that i can think of is that it is a cookie cutter building, we dont need 2 ugly identical buildings on spadina 1 is already 2 many

The cookie cutter approach is most concerning, especially for such a prominent location. Seriously, Riverfront could be placed next to St Johns and Remai would think it complements nicely, it has triangular arches too!

I would add further criticism towards the lifeless street level interface. What is preventing them from including townhouses, or a small cafe/eatery integrated with the required common green space?

A red brick base and a few oddly placed triangular arches is not sufficient for the requirement of "complementary design". Both of those features are less important when compared to the shape and positioning of the tower itself. Also: the windows/framing/edges could use more definition/detail; the white stuccoed walls/arches are perplexing.

And most importantly, where's the roof? What is its shape/color, how does it relate to the rest of the building form? How does it relate to the church spire?

It must be difficult to complement a domineering church spire with a residential condo building and make a profit

I'm not sure much of anything will come of our responses to council, but it is vital that we let them know how we feel.


Source - canada.com/starphoenix


Source - Flickr - Jordon


Source - Flickr - Jordon

And to bring up the past again, remember Remai's initial hotel/spa/convention centre proposal for River Landing...

Source

And what we turned it down for...Lake Placid

Source

[kgc087]

Totally off topic but SASKFTW your avatar pic, I remember we discussed it a while back but I can't seem to find it, can you post the pic again so I can see it on a larger scale.

[kgc087]

As well if anyone has any other sample pictures they would like to recommend please post and reference them!

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by kgc087

Totally off topic but SASKFTW your avatar pic, I remember we discussed it a while back but I can't seem to find it, can you post the pic again so I can see it on a larger scale.

Here we go...I've wanted to find out where in the downtown those three towers would be placed to give the skyline that arrangement, haven't actually tried to map them out yet.


Web Source - Saskatchewan Historical Discussion
Original Image Source - Mount Royal Collegiate Institute 1983-1984 yearbook

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

I think something like this would work on spadina as well. I like the idea of a terraced building allong spadina. Except I'd go with a terrace every floor near the top looking out onto the river. I couldn't find a picture, but it would be something like the above. Make it 15 or so stories.

Definitely, a terraced design is more appropriate.

It looks too bulky when placed beside the church, not very complementary, quite oppositional.

Terraced, possibly some thinning, they need to play with the overall shape and height, that is the most important thing to get right.

[Dalreg]

Not to bash anyone, but be happy at least something is happening in downtown Saskatoon. You could be like many cities in North America, craving for even one new building. just because u folks don't like certain projects doesn't give u the right to condem or even try to change them. Push come to shove take what u get. Could be a long time before something happens if to many people bitch and complain!

I haven't seen any proposals in the last few years that I couldn't live with. Quit bitching folks.

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Not to bash anyone, but be happy at least something is happening in downtown Saskatoon. You could be like many cities in North America, craving for even one new building. just because u folks don't like certain projects doesn't give u the right to condem or even try to change them. Push come to shove take what u get. Could be a long time before something happens if to many people bitch and complain!

I haven't seen any proposals in the last few years that I couldn't live with. Quit bitching folks.

Sorry, but that has happened for too long. Buildings are a part of the fabric of the city which we all share. They do not go away quickly, but shape our common experience for many years and I think we have a right and an obligation to express an opinion. WRT complaining preventing things getting built, then so be it. More buildings alone is not going to make this a better place. While most people here would support growth, buildings alone do not cause growth, they are a result of it. If there is growth occurring, eventuallly people will line up to build and you have a choice. If you accept a medicre building, it takes up a physical space and a demand that might have been served by something better. If you reject it, the space remains available and demand does not go away. There is currently no shortage of residential at the high end in Saskatoon (in the near future there will be a small glut), so we don't need the apartments particularly right now. If someone wants to build let them do it right.

To be frank, I think the acceptance of mediocrity has held Saskatoon and Saskatchewan back. On moving back here a few years ago, I was startled to recognize the level of service and quality of product which are considered acceptable here (when I left, I was too young to care and hadn't seen anything else). In the first few years, I sometimes felt like I was being an **shole demanding what I had come to see as adequate in other places. It seemed like everyone had connections to each other and so was afraid to complain about unsatisfactory service of product. "I might offend Bob, if I complain about the renovation his brother did for me, so I will accept the crooked molding without saying anything". In microcosm, you could see the Roughriders as a perfect example. How long were people willing to line up and buy season tickets, giving Danny one more season cause "he's such a nice guy"? I see that attitude changing slowly as the population grows, people with experience elsewhere come here and people from here travel more. In general, I think people are becoming more demanding. Sure that makes this a little bit less of a friendly place and some of those who are not up to snuff, will lose bussiness, some buildings will not get built and some football players will get cut, but that leads to an overall higher standard for everyone. We are not in first grade here, and if people are not doing a good job, they need and deserve to be told so. This discussion is not just about taste, as the building has been universally dismissed as innadequate. When and if a building is proposed that at least a few people besides the developer like, then I would agree that maybe we should accept that personal taste cannot dictate development, but until then it is a matter of quality and quality should dictate development. Sorry for the rant...

[jaysfan99]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Not to bash anyone, but be happy at least something is happening in downtown Saskatoon. You could be like many cities in North America, craving for even one new building. just because u folks don't like certain projects doesn't give u the right to condem or even try to change them. Push come to shove take what u get. Could be a long time before something happens if to many people bitch and complain!

I haven't seen any proposals in the last few years that I couldn't live with. Quit bitching folks.

Dude!! The last time I checked, it was still a free country. People have opinions, and should be able to voice them.
You probably know the architect or someone at Remai, and are biased.
Why else would you be so upset?
I usually would not care, but this building would be in a very visible spot. We absolutely should have something better there. I will bitch as much as I wish, and I'm sure most people on here agree. This building sucks!!!!!!

As for the Riverfront, it is just plain. No style. This space could of been used much much better. Very visible spot from both bridges driving into downtown. All I'm saying is it would be a real shame for Saskatoon if another one was built next to it.

[The Bess]

Dalreg even your opinion counts but the people of saskatoon have put a lot of money through taxes to make the riverbank what it is today so im sure developers can show the same respect and have a little more imagination into what is next to it.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Not to bash anyone, but be happy at least something is happening in downtown Saskatoon. You could be like many cities in North America, craving for even one new building. just because u folks don't like certain projects doesn't give u the right to condem or even try to change them. Push come to shove take what u get. Could be a long time before something happens if to many people bitch and complain!

I haven't seen any proposals in the last few years that I couldn't live with. Quit bitching folks.

Criticism is healthy. There's nothing wrong with demanding design improvements, as we all know, buildings directly influence the feel of a place, and we're looking for good vibrations in Saskatoon. We the public will do our best to ensure substandard quality is minimized.

If Remai decides this piece of property isn't for them then so be it, let another developer enhance Spadina.

I doubt Remai will be prevented from building as city council has removed the heritage designation from the site (one less obstacle for a developer), and the church has publicly stated its financial need (for repairs as well as funds for a new church next to St. Joesph over in University Heights). How long will the city hold back the church from developing their land? It depends who on city council prefers quality over quantity.

I understand why some are upset with my attitude, because afterall, the church owns the property and can do what they want with it...with few exceptions.

____________________

Back to criticisms of Remai.

What if the entire building exterior was of similar colored/patterned brick as the church; included detailed stained glass elements; terraced height - not sure what is optimal, depends on the floor plate size; keep the peaked roofs on the podium, but include townhouses and/or a cafe/restaurant integrated with the common green space instead of the parkade levels?

^ Could be a solid building, unlike anything else in Saskatoon...a little too pricey for Remai me thinks.

[Dalreg]

Sorry for bitching, it's just the same old over and over. Yes everyone can have an opinion and no two are the same, so be it.

I would rather have something actually built, even if it isn't world class design, but then what is in Saskatoon? In the end the developer and owner will decide on what if anything will go up.

Willing to bet that 3-5 years from now people would wish for something, anything on that site. Wheels turn very slowly in Saskatoon.

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by jaysfan99

Dude!!

This building sucks!!!!!!

As for the Riverfront, it is just plain. No style. This space could of been used much much better. Very visible spot from both bridges driving into downtown. All I'm saying is it would be a real shame for Saskatoon if another one was built next to it.

While its building is far from impressive, its also far from the ugliest building I've seen. I also think the utility of the building as a highrise residental structure deserves some credit. This will add density to the area and attract further developments. It will also draw more small businesses to the area to service the increasing density of the area.

So yes its great to push for attractive buildings, you also have to think of the pending benefits of the whole area and how the new building could play a part. By pushing to have a highrise development held back or rejected, it also postpones other interest in further investments in the area.

Take some of Vancouver's residential density for example ... much of it is not world class developemnt, but it sure creates a great urban environment, with lots of shops and restaurants intermixed to serve the population density.