Saskatoon Construction

[Ruckus]

Excellent work CAD, and I don't mind the observation tower...interesting views, and a worthwhile tourist attraction.

[Ruckus]

CtrlAltDel does it like no other.

Here's a selection of his Saskatoon work.


Credit: CtrlAltDel


Credit: CtrlAltDel


Credit: CtrlAltDel


Credit: CtrlAltDel

Random photos...


Credit: Chris Davis (Friend of SASKFTWs)


Credit: Chris Davis (Friend of SASKFTWs)


Off-topic...four friends and myself drove (15.5 hours ) to Whistler and Vancouver this past week, a brief but enjoyable experience I must say. I'll try to post a photo thread in the next week or two.

[skyhigh953]

Article in the StarPhoenix this morning says the Light House Tower is now expected to be 32 Storeys tall....Four storeys taller than before?

[macca]

Originally Posted by skyhigh953

Article in the StarPhoenix this morning says the Light House Tower is now expected to be 32 Storeys tall....Four storeys taller than before?

Can you post the article? I didn't see it in the paper.

[Morogolus]

On the economy: It's one of the most balanced in Canada, Atchison said, citing Saskatoon's steady, not sudden, growth. "The economy is very, very sound in our community."

- Circle Drive South: "Completion of Circle Drive South is far more than just a roadway. It will change the culture of our community as well." It will lessen the east side-west side divide, he said.

- Policing: Through November, there were 1,457 fewer crimes against persons and property in the city than in the previous year. The improvement is due to the district system, which holds officers accountable for crime trends in their areas, he said. There were also 4,305 more traffic tickets issued. "That was for your safety," Atchison said to laughter. "And it's not about money."

- Big spending: Saskatoon's healthy credit rating suggests the city has the means to pull off its record capital budget, he said. "The bond raters say everything is going well."

- River Landing: Lake Placid should start digging for its hotel-condo-office-retail project after Jan. 19, the deadline to complete its purchase of the site.

- Lighthouse project: The combination of market-price housing with assisted living suites and a shelter is now projected to be a 32-storey tower, which would be the tallest in Saskatchewan, Atchison said.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Mayor+aims+keep+hike+under/1153608/story.html

[macca]

I presume they are pushing for 32 stories to accomodate the above ground parkade since site conditions limit how far down they can go.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by macca

I presume they are pushing for 32 stories to accomodate the above ground parkade since site conditions limit how far down they can go.

Sounds about right. Although I'm curious about the site conditions explanation. Is it a high water table, or something else all together (e.g. less costly than underground=more profit).

....here's a photoshop rework of CtrlAltDels future and fantasy skyline renders.


Credit: CtrlAltDel (edited by SASKFTW)

[exploration camper]

I'm with ReginaGuy the observation tower is a poor idea, to me the point of building a tower like that is to demonstrate the architectural and engineering skill of a community. This out of the box tower would be better at prairie land park with the other rides, if at all. If the light house tower is going to be 32 storeys wouldn't an observation level in that building provide the same view as that from the observation tower?

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by exploration camper

I'm with ReginaGuy the observation tower is a poor idea, to me the point of building a tower like that is to demonstrate the architectural and engineering skill of a community. This out of the box tower would be better at prairie land park with the other rides, if at all. If the light house tower is going to be 32 storeys wouldn't an observation level in that building provide the same view as that from the observation tower?

The lighthouse would require 8-10 more floors to reach the same height as the observation tower...hehe, the question is, what do you put in the extra 8-10 floors? More condos, perhaps office space?

Interesting idea though.

[exploration camper]

No SASKFTW I didn't mean that they would be the same height but that you would see pretty much the same thing in Saskatoon from 32 storeys as you would from 40 storeys. No offense to my own city.

[joelpiecowye]

yes the view won't seem like that much but in what ever number of years buildings would catch up since 30 stories isnt that heigh, at least for other cities, the riverlanding spot is a much better place for an observation tower to go, you get a better view (whole downtown), and the river, weir, bridges and surrounding area. it will also never get clogged up since is is surrounded by parks and theatres. The stucture itself isn't that beautiful, infact it is 1970's ish. But it will create a neat experience to the whole city, wait before the actual design is shown before you completely disagree with it, the pictures of it is just an idea we are not completely sure what it will look like

also if you think it is ugly, wait till we see the museum or what ever other buildings are planned to be there. It will most definetly be like the persephone theatre, big grey and square

[Morogolus]

I'm all about an observation tower with a concrete base and an elevator going to the top but not this cheap carnival ride. Save that for the Ex.

[joelpiecowye]

yes but i would perfer that over a 2 story brickbox museum or kids learning centre

observation tower is prefab so i am sure it can be taken down just as quick as it can be build, at the moment i think it would be nice and in mabey 15 20 years something more meaning ful can take its spot,

museum will never change or grow, it will stay a brow box just like the wdm or mendel(even though mendel is trying an expansion)

since saskatoon is small so i think this would be a big step for the moment, a museum will do no good since no one will put out the money for a truely special building

nothing deserving will fill that spot, you know it and i know it,

that is why i am still hoping two things will fill it but that will probally never happen

i am not saying the tower is good or bad i just think we should wait to see what the idea will turn up to, this idea can turn out good or bad we just have to wait for the day when all the proposals are going to be shown (anyone knows what day it is?)

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by exploration camper

No SASKFTW I didn't mean that they would be the same height but that you would see pretty much the same thing in Saskatoon from 32 storeys as you would from 40 storeys. No offense to my own city.

Ok, I misinterpreted your original post.

I understand your position, and I completely disagree. From a higher vantage point (40+ stories -> observation tower), I bet you could see many of the potash mines surrounding the city...I could make out a rough outline of the eastern PCS mines from the top floor of Hallmark Place (sorry peeps, I didn't have my camera with me).

As well, Saskatoon is the central node in the region. Having a tall structure that could potentially be visible from the bedroom communities fosters a better connection between our city and the smaller nodes surrounding it.

Higher is better if we are pushing for an observation tower...or, we could take a page from Winnipeg (no offense Peggers), they constructed a six storey observation tower at The Forks.


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Height is essential for any successful observation tower, for both the great vantage point as well as the symbolic nature of having one of, if not, the highest free standing structure in Saskatchewan...even if it is a carnival ride as so many of you have dubbed it.

[skyhigh953]

Thank God the SkyTower would never be approved in the vicinity of Persephone/River Landing as it's right in the middle of the flight path...

[lbird]

They've started listing the KG condominiums on MLS. I don't think they have sold very many yet (my guesstimate is around 10/33). The remaining River Landing, Bay and Ridley Building condos are still on the market, as well as many of the apartment conversion condos in City Park. A whole bunch more downtown condos are going to hit as soon as they finish the conversions of that highrise tower on 5th and 24th.

As you may have guessed, I'm not overly bullish on the downtown condo market at this point. It's going to take a while to work through a lot of the inventory already existing, and I don't know who they think is going to want to live in a 32-story homeless shetler which is also a block from the bus mall and right across from the outpatient addiction drop-in and adult probation offices in the Sturdy Stone Center.

Also, that Sky tower looks horrible. The only choice for that location is a Science Museum, IMHO.

[thegreattait]

Originally Posted by SASKFTW

Ok, I misinterpreted your original post.

I understand your position, and I completely disagree. From a higher vantage point (40+ stories -> observation tower), I bet you could see many of the potash mines surrounding the city...I could make out a rough outline of the eastern PCS mines from the top floor of Hallmark Place (sorry peeps, I didn't have my camera with me).

As well, Saskatoon is the central node in the region. Having a tall structure that could potentially be visible from the bedroom communities fosters a better connection between our city and the smaller nodes surrounding it.

Higher is better if we are pushing for an observation tower...or, we could take a page from Winnipeg (no offense Peggers), they constructed a six storey observation tower at The Forks.


Source


Source

Height is essential for any successful observation tower, for both the great vantage point as well as the symbolic nature of having one of, if not, the highest free standing structure in Saskatchewan...even if it is a carnival ride as so many of you have dubbed it.

It's amazing how effective the observation tower at the forks is. Because of its location right next to the rivers and as it is located near the main CN line it has a nice unobstructed view of downtown Winnipeg, up the Assiniboine River, out accross the Red river to Old st. Boniface and in particular the Cathedral.

As they say in real estate, location location location. The fact that the achitects for the obervation tower were able to keep it in scale with other building at the forks yet still give it a very function hight is design genious.

I personnally wouldn't want some 40 story monster of a structure placed in that section of the forks. Further back such as where the new museum and Esplanade Riel are is fine for tall narrow protruding structures as it is closer to the downtown skyline so that they don't look out of place.

I think Regina is a great city with lots of potential and I don't think you should go and mess it up by putting in a 70's relic just for ego purposes. I think Regina can accomplish a much greater urban atmosphere by continuing on its path of increased numbers of downtown condos and rental units. For a city of its size Regina has an impressive downtown.

Continue with Smart growth and you won't need a observation tower to "compete" with other cities, instead you will be the envy of other cities because you will have incorporated good ideas that match growth and plan for the future creating potentially one of the most dynamic and vibrant urban atmospheres in western Canada.

[The Bess]

t's amazing how effective the observation tower at the forks is. Because of its location right next to the rivers and as it is located near the main CN line it has a nice unobstructed view of downtown Winnipeg, up the Assiniboine River, out accross the Red river to Old st. Boniface and in particular the Cathedral.

As they say in real estate, location location location. The fact that the achitects for the obervation tower were able to keep it in scale with other building at the forks yet still give it a very function hight is design genious.

I personnally wouldn't want some 40 story monster of a structure placed in that section of the forks. Further back such as where the new museum and Esplanade Riel are is fine for tall narrow protruding structures as it is closer to the downtown skyline so that they don't look out of place.

I think Regina is a great city with lots of potential and I don't think you should go and mess it up by putting in a 70's relic just for ego purposes. I think Regina can accomplish a much greater urban atmosphere by continuing on its path of increased numbers of downtown condos and rental units. For a city of its size Regina has an impressive downtown.

Continue with Smart growth and you won't need a observation tower to "compete" with other cities, instead you will be the envy of other cities because you will have incorporated good ideas that match growth and plan for the future creating potentially one of the most dynamic and vibrant urban atmospheres in western Canada.

I beleive you have the wrong city.

[exploration camper]

joelpiecowye - your right its not fair to judge until we see the actual proposed structures.

Higher is better if we are pushing for an observation tower...or, we could take a page from Winnipeg (no offense Peggers), they constructed a six storey observation tower at The Forks.

SASKFTW - That was what I was getting at, if we want a tower than we should at least try and have one taller than the Calgary tower.

Continue with Smart growth and you won't need a observation tower to "compete" with other cities, instead you will be the envy of other cities because you will have incorporated good ideas that match growth and plan for the future creating potentially one of the most dynamic and vibrant urban atmospheres in western Canada.

I think that thegreattait is right we should try and play to our strengths making sure that we maitain a city that people want to live in despite the weather. Off topic I'd like to see some solid planning work on light rail transit for the city using the existing rail lines.

[socialisthorde]

[QUOTE=lbird;4014782]

As you may have guessed, I'm not overly bullish on the downtown condo market at this point. It's going to take a while to work through a lot of the inventory already existing, and I don't know who they think is going to want to live in a 32-story homeless shetler which is also a block from the bus mall and right across from the outpatient addiction drop-in and adult probation offices in the Sturdy Stone Center.
QUOTE]

I can agree with your appraisal of the condo market downtown in general, as being saturted, but take some offense to your characterization of the Lighthouse project.

I think calling it a homeless shelter is innacurate and more than a little sensationalist. WRT to the location, what is so horrible about a bus mall? As for the drop in centre and probation office, some very expensive condos in Vancouver are a mere steps from the downtown eastside and anything in Saskatoon, including the outpatient addiction drop in and adult probation offices, pales in comparison to the DES. Likewise with the "beltline" in Calgary.

Some people get all frantic when they think they might have to see or even worse, interact with "criminals" or the mentally ill, but it is rarely as bad as anticipated. I think these fearful people will be securely ensconsed in their suburban fortresses anyway, and are not the market to which downtown condos are appealing. Just for the record, I have two halfway houses within blocks of where I live now and I have noticed absolutely nothing which would suggest to me that they have caused any problems in the neighborhood. There are more problems from roving bands of middle class teenagers in my kids' schoolyard, (damaged trees, non-gang graffitti, broken fences) which located in a "safe" suburban neighborhood than there is in my "inner city" neighborhood.

I think and hope that at least some people in Saskatoon are a little more open minded than you are suggesting them to be.