Saskatoon Construction

[prairieguy]

As regular readers of this site may know, I have expressed my uncertainty over the AGS in past posts, but definitely now lean towards its location and construction at River Landing. For many of the reasons already cited before by others here (i.e. capacity to attract more people; secure fed/prov funding; add to 'destination' component of RL).

I do have a suggestion for the AGS, however. I think it would be wonderful if the AGS not only honours the Mendel name by designating an exhibition hall or wing as the Mendel Hall, but also encorporate a historical tribute to the Mendel facility itself. This could be comprised of a permanent photo exhibit along with a scale model of the original building with historical documentation/commentary to accompany it. Perhaps this might help appease those that are upset (and in my opinion, with some reason) about the potential move.

Just a thought.

[thegreattait]

I thought it was already planned to have a wing or section of the AGS named after Mendal? This was before all the negative feedback started rolling in. Wasn't it mentioned in the original announcement

[vyllym]

I have an in on the whole Mendel situation, and I won't say much, but I'll say that they are FAR more likely to receive federal funding under the name Art Gallery of Saskatchewan as opposed to the current name, and I assure you that they are not in any way disregarding the legacy of Mr. Mendel.

[kgc087]

I think we can all be pretty certain that the new facility will be built at Riverlanding, it just makes economic sense, and afterall isnt our universe just dollar signs? I feel that being a provincially statused gallery it will have fantastic architecture which will be a tribute to today's modern building designs. Like I've said before, I compleltey agree with the move and think this is an excellent opportunity to to foster a strong growth in the south downtown, as well as introduce a new cultural amenity in the north.

[joelpiecowye]

i agree that the new gallery fits perfectly in riverlanding as long as they somewhat keep the mendel name and the design is done properly, i agree they will have a higher chance of getting funding if they call it the art gallery of saskatchewan but they can include the mendel name into it as well

[macca]

http://pillarcorp.ca/PPC%20Resume%20Nov08%20New%20Developments.pdf

Proposed 50 000 sq ft office building on Pacific Avenue, appears to be adjacent to proposed Holiday Inn site.

[OILERS]

here it is

Originally Posted by macca

http://pillarcorp.ca/PPC%20Resume%20Nov08%20New%20Developments.pdf

Proposed 50 000 sq ft office building on Pacific Avenue, appears to be adjacent to proposed Holiday Inn site.

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by macca

http://pillarcorp.ca/PPC%20Resume%20Nov08%20New%20Developments.pdf

Proposed 50 000 sq ft office building on Pacific Avenue, appears to be adjacent to proposed Holiday Inn site.

Heres hoping for good design, but their existing buidlings don't look too promising.

[OILERS]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

Heres hoping for good design, but their existing buidlings don't look too promising.

Something like that would fit in better on 51st or 8th street. It doesn't really add much to the downtown.

[kgc087]

This looks like the building on the wall street side but with large windows.

[socialisthorde]

If you want a real scare check out these previous projects of theirs

http://pillarcorp.ca/PPC%20Developments%20Nov08.pdf

Barely better than tin sheds. To say they were designed is very generous, unless it was by chimps. To be fair, they are all light industrial, but

[socialisthorde]

Just wrote the following email to the developer urging more attention to design.

"Dear Sir,

I have recently become aware of your proposed building on Pacific Avenue. I recognize that you have every right to do with your property as you wish, and that design is in the eye of the beholder. I also recognize that the illustration you provide is very preliminary, but I encourage you to consider that this is a downtown property in a rapidly evolving and highly important area of Saskatoon and therefore befitting a much better design than the one in your illustration.

Recent discussions in the Star-Phoenix point to the importance of that area as the first view of downtown for visitors and locals entering from the West and North. Given the proximity to the Auditorium, it is also a cultural focal point.

I urge you to do your utmost to strive for an innovative and inspiring design for your building, characteristics which are lacking in the proposal illustration. I would suggest that the extra cost and attention required to acheive a higher standard, will be more than repaid in the increased value of the building ot potential leasees and the status of your company going forward.

Thank you for the opportunity to write."

I have no illusions about the likely impact of my email, but I encourage you all to send them your opinions as well if you care to. I think it is important that we speak out about the things we discuss here.

[joelpiecowye]

another concrete block, oh the humanity

i can only pray that that is a very vague sketch of the future building

also is it possible it will be by the rumely, because i saw a sign in the dirt lot that said a commercial building was proposed there around that size, it would also be on pacific ave as well, i am not sure if you talked about that, i might of missed the discussion on it since i was gone for a while

[Echoes]

That empty lot beside the Rumley you're referring to is in fact owned by those behind the Rumley makeover, the Obasa Group.

I remember reading somewhere that they plan to develop that lot into something commercial or residential eventually. I have much more faith in them to produce something of quality than this Pillar P.O.S.

BTW, nice work with the email socialisthorde.

[Echoes]

According to their Office & Retail portfolio, Pillar Properties Corp. also appears to be behind these past downtown beauties:

...and...

Source

Bravo Pillar, you suck.

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by Country

According to their Office & Retail portfolio, Pillar Properties Corp. also appears to be behind these past downtown beauties:
[

Wow those are all so stunningly hideous... please build another

[circle33]

On the bright side, these Pillar folks are keeping the corrugated aluminum industry in the green [/sarcasm]

[Ricopedra]

Yes, I've always found those buildings revolting, but Saskabush's cake-taker for ugliness has got to be, I think it's called, "sun tower". (Capital letters not warrented). It's the eyesore that hides Saskatoon Tower, one of the best and only taller office buildings in the city. I think it might have been built by the same company, ironically, (the sun and Saskatoon towers). It's right next to the police station, too. It was built on an existing above ground parkade and just kept going. That, and the demolition of the old Capital Theatre are almost enough to make me cry! Are there no civic or community panals that weigh in on proposed big developments? The threat of NIMBYs in these cases would have been welcomed.

The 'sun' will also block most of the new Lighthouse....

[studentview]

If a lot of you guys had any real insight into the downtown ownership of commerical properties you would realize that pillar properties only puchased these building in the last two years. if you remember previously the 1st avenue building was occupied by golder and associates and is now occupied by the police. half that building is open warehouse. what do you want them to do with it? its a garage. whats the point in sprucing it up if there is going to be no signage on it and they secured a lease within a couple months of listing it. not to mention with a class "A" tenant such as the local police force. as for the pacific avenue property they only recently purchased this as well and were not behind the construction. if your goin to take a stab at pillar how bout take a shot at any of the other buildings along the whole block, midtown medical, cafe sola and dance saskatchewan are all hideous. pillar is also the group that will be spearheading the university heights retail development and i can guarantee it will be nothing short of excellent work by a couple excellent developers who know the business as well as anyone in the city.

[macca]

The site plan for the university heights retail development is available on the Pillar website and from an urban planning perspective it is well short of excellent.