Regina Construction II - Page 75

thefourthtower · #**1481** Posted **Jul 12, 2011, 11:40 PM**

`

Treesplease · #**1482** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 5:34 AM**

I presume this Best Western is going up on Eastgate Drive (or bay)?
http://www.caspianconstruction.com/news/...-eastgate-inn-suites-regina-saskatchewan

Scruff Bucket · #**1483** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 8:41 AM**

I see some pretty nice developments in progress in our fine city! Thanks for the updates, guys!

We got back from our family vacay in Vancouver the previous weekend! Even though we’ve been there several times already, I always marvel at the density of population of their downtown and surrounding area and the level of activity that they maintain! Imagine almost 100k residences, mostly living in highrises, and at least half again that more people during daytime workdays, just on the downtown peninsula itself (an area about 5 sq. km!) -- that’s like placing 1/2 to 3/4 the population of Regina into a (square) area in Regina bounded between Dewdney Ave. and the north shore of Wascana Lake, and between Elphinstone St. and Winnipeg St., that is also filled with businesses, shopping malls, hotels, commercial buildings/offices, ample local green and recreational spaces, dedicated walking/cycling paths, community centre, hospital, museum, etc.!

Such a population is easily self-sustaining -- like a city itself, within a city! There are at least 8 major grocery supermarkets in or close by downtown (Choices, IGA, Save On, T & T, Whole Foods, Urban Fare, etc.), and numerous, full-sized big-box/warehouse/department stores (Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy, Future Shop, Canadian Tire, Winners/HomeSense, Chapters, The Bay, Sears, London Drugs, etc.) -- the more conspicuous ones are stacked vertically on another within multi-leveled, glass-walled podiums of residential/commercial high- and midrise buildings -- and not to exclude: Granville Island and its shops and boutiques, coffee/ice cream/gelato shops, and restaurants; even more located on a number of bustling, pedestrian-friendly street strips/shopping districts; numerous street food-vending carts serving also ethnic foods; and plenty of clubs, pubs, movie and live theatres, and community based events and tourist attractions!

Don’t forget the on-going construction of new residential/commercial buildings, and of the master-planned (formerly) Olympic Village neighbourhood, and landmarks like BC Place Stadium, Rogers Arena, Canada Place alongside its Convention Centre, numerous traffic bridges and elevated/underground Skytrain lines, each contributing to attract/move people into downtown and area!

For special events, including the Stanley Cup activities, and last year's Winter Olympics, the city closed(s) a stretch of several blocks of Granville Street and adjacent intersecting streets to accommodate the very impressive, almost overwhelming street parties -- We did drive (necessarily) through streets bordering the street party one night after a Canucks’ home-game win! An exceptional and energizing experience!

Well, I suppose the above wasn’t really Regina related, besides maybe to provide a glimpse of what Regina’s progress can offer if/when some or all of the proposals and projects mentioned on this forum or new ideas for development get underway and done! We’ll soon see what our City Square project will do to enhance downtown’s functionality and appeal! It’s looking really good so far and I’m looking forward for its completion! For now, I’m feeling pretty excited seeing how Regina is evolving, updating and transforming before us! I’m amazed!

Get ready for Buffalo Da ... aahh! ... umm ... Queen City Ex!

TechnicalRecession · #**1484** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

I believe this is a new office tower that is being proposed , i wonder where it may fit into the skyline , this tower is a beauty.

Hey fourthtower,

Do you have an inside scoop or are you just speculating? I'd be suprised if another office tower was planned given there is only so much demand out there and with the Havard tower going up and another one proposed one block over I can imagine the city can absorb a third new 20 story office tower. But maybe you know more than I do!

TechnicalRecession · #**1485** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 4:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treesplease

I presume this Best Western is going up on Eastgate Drive (or bay)?
http://www.caspianconstruction.com/news/...-eastgate-inn-suites-regina-saskatchewan

OOOO, what a beauty! Haha. Well it's good to see more hotel space going up even if it is the small, close to the edge of city bland style hotel..

Stormer · #**1486** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechnicalRecession

Hey fourthtower,

Do you have an inside scoop or are you just speculating? I'd be suprised if another office tower was planned given there is only so much demand out there and with the Havard tower going up and another one proposed one block over I can imagine the city can absorb a third new 20 story office tower. But maybe you know more than I do!

He can speak for himself, but I believe thefouthtower (will he change his name to thefifthtower?) was merely observing that the render is of an office tower and not a hotel or residential building. Clearly it is a proposal, as it says so right on the render's title.

A few observations:

this building has a massive podium and could only fit in a few corner locations downtown.
it does not appear to be the library site as that site is a whole block deep on 12th between Lorne and Smith. the render is only a half block deep.
based on the location of the sunshades, it appears to be on a NE or perhaps a NW corner. Ther is no point in putting sunshades on the north side of a building.

I can see this on the Rose and 12th site or on the Tower IV site, if you were to incorporate the Hill CentreParkade on Cornwall Street. That would be a godsend as the Hill Centre Parkade is hideous, even by parkade standards.

wacko · #**1487** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormer

It is not a residential building-no balconies - what you see are sun shades.

Out of curiosity, is there any reason why residential couldn't be part of a new office tower? I'm assuming it would be cheaper not to build balconies, and thus any condos incorporated into the building could be offered at a cheaper price to young professionals (hint hint

).

I guess what I'm describing is a mixed-use tower. Some residential, some commercial, without having to exceed whatever demand there might be for either.

Stormer · #**1488** Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 8:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wacko

Out of curiosity, is there any reason why residential couldn't be part of a new office tower? I'm assuming it would be cheaper not to build balconies, and thus any condos incorporated into the building could be offered at a cheaper price to young professionals (hint hint

).

I guess what I'm describing is a mixed-use tower. Some residential, some commercial, without having to exceed whatever demand there might be for either.

It is certainly possible. The TD Bank Building is an example. It is more common to have a hotel/residential combination.

I think there would be at least some balconies on this builing if it had a residential component. Even TD Bank and Motherwell as a retrofitted office buildings have balconies (Although the former CIBC Building does not).

Robk · #**1489** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 5:12 AM**

The proposed office tower was a earlier proposal for the 12th and Rose location that we (Liquid Light) rendered 2 or 3 years ago. We were not permitted to display the image until recently. The latest proposed building is being designed by a different group than the original Architects we did the render for.
Needless to say we won't be seeing this tower being built anytime soon.

Stormer · #**1490** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 2:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robk

The proposed office tower was a earlier proposal for the 12th and Rose location that we (Liquid Light) rendered 2 or 3 years ago. We were not permitted to display the image until recently. The latest proposed building is being designed by a different group than the original Architects we did the render for.
Needless to say we won't be seeing this tower being built anytime soon.

I guess that is no surprise. It was too much to ask for ANOTHER major tower to be going ahead, although there are more proposals to come, although maybe not on that scale.

Stormer · #**1491** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 2:45 PM**

With City Square schedeuled to partially open for the Folk Fest in a few weeks someone finally realized how embarassing the facade of the Gordon Building would look right in the middle of the plaza. Yesterday I saw Downtown Embassadors measuring the windows. They told me that murals would be going up.

former Novia Cafe:

thefourthtower · #**1492** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 6:11 PM**

`

Dan0myte · #**1493** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

They may be tearing the gordon building down for a new tower .

You make it sound like they're doing it tomorrow.

TechnicalRecession · #**1494** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

They may be tearing the gordon building down for a new tower .

Personally I hope they don't. That building has some heritage value and creates a nice contrast with the modern buildings to the east. I'd rather they restore the existing than tear down and build new. There are lots of ugly parking lots that could be used for another tower instead of tearing down historic buildings.

Regina Boi · #**1495** Posted **Jul 14, 2011, 10:07 PM**

I just found out today that the barber in the Gordon building has been asked to leave at the end of Sept. Harvard wants that building empty. Looks like it's coming down.

thefourthtower · #**1496** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 3:01 AM**

`

thefourthtower · #**1497** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 3:11 AM**

`

Stormer · #**1498** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 3:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Boi

I just found out today that the barber in the Gordon building has been asked to leave at the end of Sept. Harvard wants that building empty. Looks like it's coming down.

I expect they don't want to operate and heat the whole building for the little bit of rent the one tenant pays. It will be interesting to see how the city deals with this. It is not a heritage building but it is on the watch list. The city is unlikely to allow it to be demolished just to sit vacant. The new downtown plan will not allow it to be used for surface parking.

Stormer · #**1499** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 2:52 PM**

Laying sod today at City Square/Victoria Park:

Regina Boi · #**1500** Posted **Jul 15, 2011, 10:44 PM**

Well looks like Safeway on 13th Ave is finally going to be getting a much needed renovation. There was an article in the Village Voice today saying that the city and Safeway will be holding an open house shortly for the public to get a look at the plan. Can't wait!