Saskatoon Construction II

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

While I fully support "coffee shops" of this nature, I too will be VERY disappointed if this is the primary food service tennant in RiverCentre. I was definitely hoping for more of a high end destination type restaurant for this prime river 'front' location.

I share your thoughts (as stated earlier) - but I had a look at the floor plans for the ground floor and there are two retail spaces there. The one fronting on to 19th Street looks to be about the right size for a Good Earth. The second retail space fronting 2nd Ave is about 3 times larger with outdoor patio and would seem ideal for the major restaurant we're hoping for, and far too large for a Good Earth-type concept.

I think there will be 2 food service providers in this building and we're yet to hear what the major restaurant is.

Page 6: http://www.tonko.com/uploads/original/9bf7e01d4e61638355a69914b60250f7.pdf

[prairieguy]

Thanks, Echoes....you have relieved my 'anxiety', at least for the time being!! I think you are absolutely right in your assessment.

[Yeff]

Originally Posted by Echoes

And I thought Good Earth Cafe was going into the remodeled Scotia Centre food court? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Good Earth more suited to that kind of setting?

Yes, Good Earth was initially supposed to be the anchor of a "remodeled" Scotia Centre food court which is now on it's 5th month of no service providers... There is no activity behind the construction wall, and after giving Gourmet Taste, Fred's Place, and Grandma Lee's the boot, they are left with nobody knocking on the door. Kind of a mess going on there.

[skSK]

Two bits of news:

1. I can't remember if this has been posted yet (it's minor anyway), but the Hose and Hydrant looks like it's getting a rooftop patio. The building behind it that houses the offsale has big fence posts up on its roof, and it looks as if it may be ready to go soon.

2. The rumour mill keeps chugging on this one, but my friend said she was talking to an American Apparel employee (they actually SPEAK to you and don't act like they're too cool or ironic or whatever to do the job they were hired for?!?!) and the subject turned to an H&M. My friend said a streetfront location like AA's would be perfect for one (I agree), but she was told that Midtown has been in talks with H&M and looks like it's going in there. Take it with a grain of salt, just thought I'd mention it!

[skSK]

Originally Posted by Scruff Bucket

Ho-kay! Here's the advertisement (again) in its entirety!



Edit: from Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 5, 2012, pages B4-5.

Impressive rendering! I can hardly wait to drive non-stop along Circle Dr. South freeway and see the finished neighbourhood!

I really like the rendering too, and the attention to details that we've seen from Tonko's first phase makes me highly optimistic for any future construction. All this talk of an anchor restaurant for River Centre I has me wondering what would go in the second tower's main floor. The rendering shows two floors of (probably) retail space; I guess it would probably be shops of some sort as I doubt they'd put two restaurants right across from each other. I'm VERY happy to see that they plan to cover Galaxy's wall on 2nd Ave as well. Some exciting news overall!

[Echoes]

A really great article from Vacay.ca about Riversdale's transformation and all the things happening on 20th Street these days:

Running Back to Saskatoon

Story by Cinda Chavich
Vacay.ca Senior Writer

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — Christie Peters might be too young to remember The Guess Who’s famous prairie tune, but she’s among the many expats who have been running back to Saskatoon.

The recently released 2011 census shows Saskatoon enjoyed the country’s biggest growth spurt – the population surged 11.4 per cent, nearly twice the national numbers. And while this prairie city is still small – just around 235,000 souls – the new blood seems to be the creative kind and much of it is settling in Riversdale.

“I dragged Kyle here from Vancouver,” says Peters, introducing her husband and chef, Kyle Michael, who is trimming pork in the massive kitchen of their new hipster cocktail lounge and eatery, The Hollows.

Set in the former Golden Dragon Chinese restaurant, it’s like a snapshot in time — John Fogarty is wailing on the stereo as Peters fills my vintage water glass, stenciled with a pheasant hunting scene, beneath the glow of boxy rosewood Chinese lanterns.

But it’s just one of the new businesses that’s making the transitional Riversdale district the new “it” spot in Saskatoon — old furniture stores, pawn shops and Chinese restaurants are being transformed into cutting-edge art galleries and cafes where baristas grind Intelligentsia coffee and yoga moms gather.

For Peters and Michael, who met while working at the former Feenie’s in Vancouver, Riversdale has all of the edgy, hipster vibe of Gastown, without the big-city rent.

“It’s got a rough reputation but more and more people are moving in,” says Peters, who cooked at both Boneta and The Diamond, then at Michelin-starred De Kas in Amsterdam, before heading home to Saskatoon. “This place has character. It’s so vintage here — it sets the mood.”

If you haven’t been to Saskatoon in awhile, Riversdale is definitely a spot to explore.

[....]

Read more: http://vacay.ca/2012/04/photos-running-back-to-saskatoon/

[kalin_10]

Walking downtown today, I noticed a new development proposal from ICR. Maybe not new; however, the first time I've seen this one. Any one have any intelligence on this development?

[circle33]

Sign has been there at least 5 years.

[kalin_10]

Took a stroll downtown today with my lady and thought what a perfect opportunity to get some construction pictures. And yes, I did get some close-ups of Saskatoon's new high-rise correctional facility!!

[mike474]

Originally Posted by kalin_10

Walking downtown today, I noticed a new development proposal from ICR. Maybe not new; however, the first time I've seen this one. Any one have any intelligence on this development?

Super old. That was there when I still lived in Stoon over two years ago.

[mike474]

Sorry missed the above post. Jeez even older then.

[The Bess]

nice pics Kalin

[Ruckus]

Thanks for the tour kalin!

[Ruckus]

I have an uneasy feeling it will be a wedding with the wrecking ball.

Maybe they will save the facade and recycle the rest?

[skSK]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

I have an uneasy feeling it will be a wedding with the wrecking ball.

Maybe they will save the facade and recycle the rest?

Not if Third Avenue Centre has its way. The organization was started last year to save this building, and is in the process of putting together concerts to fundraise for the building's roof repair and to create a profile for the building as a beautiful and exemplary performing arts venue. Most of the media in the past weeks relating to Third Avenue United Church is because TAC is making the building's future public with the hope of drumming up the public's support. I'm posting this because this is a building of enormous importance to the city. I urge everyone to please read this.

http://friendsof3au.blogspot.ca/

And the following is Third Avenue Centre's Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/ThirdAveCentre


Photo courtesy of Heather Fritz Photography

Additionally, there will be a panel and public forum at the building soon:
Third Avenue United Church and The Importance of Preserving Saskatchewan Heritage
Thursday May 17, 2012 7 p.m.
free event

[RyanNS]

Originally Posted by Echoes

A really great article from Vacay.ca about Riversdale's transformation and all the things happening on 20th Street these days:

Running Back to Saskatoon

Story by Cinda Chavich
Vacay.ca Senior Writer



Read more: http://vacay.ca/2012/04/photos-running-back-to-saskatoon/

Good read

I moved to Saskatoon in January and took a gamble and decided to buy in Pleasant Hill. People told me I was crazy and how ghetto it was and that everything I had would be stolen. Well, they were wrong. There definitely is a positive energy making it's way down 20th Street and it's great to have a front row seat to watch this transformation. In my short time I've seen several rental properties in my neighbourhood be purchased by young families and professionals, who like me, couldn't stand the though of living in a cookie cutter development.

Here's to the future of the Westside

[Brutopian]

Originally Posted by skSK

I really like the rendering too, and the attention to details that we've seen from Tonko's first phase makes me highly optimistic for any future construction. All this talk of an anchor restaurant for River Centre I has me wondering what would go in the second tower's main floor. The rendering shows two floors of (probably) retail space; I guess it would probably be shops of some sort as I doubt they'd put two restaurants right across from each other. I'm VERY happy to see that they plan to cover Galaxy's wall on 2nd Ave as well. Some exciting news overall!

Agreed! This is a great, sharp-looking development for south downtown. One can imagine, within the next few years, we will have a 5-storey office tower (Tonko), 11-storey office tower (Tonko), 17-storey office tower (River Landing Village), 10-storey hotel (River Landing Village) and 27-storey condo tower (RiverLanding Village) all within, basically, the span of one city block. That kind of development is going to completely transform the feel and vibe of that part of Saskatoon -- all for the better. Looks like the developers are paying attention to what's happening at street level, too, by ensuring that there are large windows and patios and restaurants for interaction with the street. Nice!

[ninipanini]

Originally Posted by RyanNS

Good read

I moved to Saskatoon in January and took a gamble and decided to buy in Pleasant Hill. People told me I was crazy and how ghetto it was and that everything I had would be stolen. Well, they were wrong. There definitely is a positive energy making it's way down 20th Street and it's great to have a front row seat to watch this transformation. In my short time I've seen several rental properties in my neighbourhood be purchased by young families and professionals, who like me, couldn't stand the though of living in a cookie cutter development.

Here's to the future of the Westside

Welcome to the city! I'm so glad to hear your impression of 20th street. There's a lot of stigma around that area of the city (mainly in people who don't go there I expect) which I think is really just thinly veiled racism. I just went to Coffee Collective for the first time a couple of weeks ago and love the farmers market - GREAT AMENITIES - with how fast things seem to be changing I think it's only a matter of time before Riversdale is the next Nutana (only edgier and artsier).

[Ricopedra]

Thanks for the tour, kalin! You hit all the stuff DT and it really looks like S'toon is starting to put some meat on its bones. The Holiday Inn seems to be a bit of a chameleon, but it still, in any light, could have been much better. It's obviously understood why they heated the parking, but the finish still looks out of whack - if its indeed finished now.

About that beautiful church. I did a photo essay on it for my UofS photography class way back when people still shot on film and developed in a darkroom. The centerpiece shot was the massive pipes on the organ, with the sunlight filtering in through the windows. If this place is torn down, I'll never come back.

Anyway, who doesn't think that 3RD AVE. United would make the most awesome live-music bar in Western Canada?! And all it needs is a new roof... And maybe a nod from God!

[kgc087]

Could the U of S not purchase this church and use it for something? Even if it was just a concert hall, maybe they could also buy out that parking lot beside it and make some sort of college of music or make a library out of it. These are just random/vague...and most likely not so sexy ideas BUT the U of S would def maintain the heritage of the church. OR why doesn't the WDM purchase it? It would make a fantastic museum! OH WAIT! The U of S and WDM could merge and make a theology museum perhaps?

I guess I throw these ideas out there b/c Saskatoon has a lot of rundown heritage buildings that are just neglected. I don't think the population realises the sterility associated with an all modern city. I think I would actualy shed a tear of this church was demolished (and I'm not even Christian!)