Claridge Icon [505 Preston St] | 143m | 45 fl | Completed - Page 23

Beedok · #**441** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 7:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Balconies are almost always a waste of space. Unless it has a gas bbq outlet or it's large enough to put a patio set, there is really no reason for it. I get that it's convenient for smokers and some people just need to be able to access the outdoors, but when you can hardly put a couple of chairs out on most of them, my feeling is that the square feet would be much more effective if they were interior rather than exterior.

Yes, and front yards are useless because most people just leave them as a bit of grass that they mow from time to time, but people still want them.

S-Man · #**442** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 8:10 PM**

The amount of German cars in that one rendering is wild! Apparently the average household income of the neighbourhood took a big jump in Rendering World.

ars · #**443** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 8:25 PM**

These new renders look really nice. This building would definitely impact the skyline in a good way.

JackBauer24 · #**444** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 9:07 PM**

Ya, and we all know how many high rises come with front yards... :|

Of course people want balconies or else they wouldn't be built. However, I think once high rise condos are actual places of residence of the purchasers, the desire for a balcony will drop due to their limited use (especially in a city like Ottawa with 6+ months of winter weather) and limited space (the depths of most balconies are decreasing - you can't do much with a 4' deep balcony).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedok

Yes, and front yards are useless because most people just leave them as a bit of grass that they mow from time to time, but people still want them.

Boxster · #**445** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 9:54 PM**

Unless you have a 750 + sq ft covered terrace...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Ya, and we all know how many high rises come with front yards... :|

Of course people want balconies or else they wouldn't be built. However, I think once high rise condos are actual places of residence of the purchasers, the desire for a balcony will drop due to their limited use (especially in a city like Ottawa with 6+ months of winter weather) and limited space (the depths of most balconies are decreasing - you can't do much with a 4' deep balcony).

drawarc · #**446** Posted **Jan 20, 2014, 11:08 PM**

Looks good.

AndrewSerre_RE · #**447** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Ya, and we all know how many high rises come with front yards... :|

Of course people want balconies or else they wouldn't be built. However, I think once high rise condos are actual places of residence of the purchasers, the desire for a balcony will drop due to their limited use (especially in a city like Ottawa with 6+ months of winter weather) and limited space (the depths of most balconies are decreasing - you can't do much with a 4' deep balcony).

Mine is 4'10'' deep and 100 sq ft total space...I have a bistro set with two chairs and a lounging sofa. Feels quite spacious.

S-Man · #**448** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 1:34 AM**

Not having a balcony myself, I couldn't imagine anyone not using theirs. What waste.

citizen j · #**449** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 3:18 AM**

We use ours (balcony) for at least 7 months in the year. I wouldn't buy a condo without some sort of outdoor access.

Kitchissippi · #**450** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 3:45 AM**

Balconies = less expensive window cleaning because residents have to do the ones that are accessible.

Harley613 · #**451** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 3:58 PM**

When I had a condo in the market I spent around 70% of my summer home time on my balcony.

PokerPukka · #**452** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFromOttawa

Beauty. Get the shovels in the ground!

I agree. This is a definite improvement compared to previous renderings. Glad to see the giant red and yellow blocks are missing from the North side. No longer an "architectural dog's breakfast".

Build it!

JackBauer24 · #**453** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 2:32 PM**

Again, I wasn't debating whether people used or wanted balconies, my point was that in newer condos the balconies are becoming smaller and smaller making them less and less useful, unless you really just want to step outside for a breath of fresh air, and nothing more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

When I had a condo in the market I spent around 70% of my summer home time on my balcony.

Boxster · #**454** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:58 PM**

My idea of a nice balcony is one that has a BBQ, spa, high bar and table, a few lounging chairs and sectional sofa and table.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Again, I wasn't debating whether people used or wanted balconies, my point was that in newer condos the balconies are becoming smaller and smaller making them less and less useful, unless you really just want to step outside for a breath of fresh air, and nothing more.

JackBauer24 · #**455** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 5:17 PM**

I would think that's most people's expectation with a balcony. Older condos tend to have much deeper balconies allowing for a small patio set and/or BBQ (if the building is 4 levels or under, or has a gas BBQ outlet). Unless you're buying a new condo with a terrace, you would struggle to put all of that on most the new condo balconies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster

My idea of a nice balcony is one that has a BBQ, spa, high bar and table, a few lounging chairs and sectional sofa and table.

J.OT13 · #**456** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 5:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

from http://www.cgarchitect.com/members/view/matthewhallett

Now we're talking! Tower design seems much more coherent and the podium is greatly improved, much more open to the street.

JackBauer24 · #**457** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:11 PM**

I just noticed something about the first picture in that group of renderings - they placed the other up-coming buildings (Soho, Richcraft, etc...) in the background. However, none of them seem to be even close to scale - I get that there's distance between the Icon and the other buildings, but when they appear to be 1/4 of the height, something is off. Plus it appears they omitted including Soho Italia - which, coincidentally, is the only neighbouring building that will be somewhat close to the height of Icon.

That all aside, does anyone know if these changes to the rendering affected any of the floor plans?

J.OT13 · #**458** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

I just noticed something about the first picture in that group of renderings - they placed the other up-coming buildings (Soho, Richcraft, etc...) in the background. However, none of them seem to be even close to scale - I get that there's distance between the Icon and the other buildings, but when they appear to be 1/4 of the height, something is off. Plus it appears they omitted including Soho Italia - which, coincidentally, is the only neighbouring building that will be somewhat close to the height of Icon.

That all aside, does anyone know if these changes to the rendering affected any of the floor plans?

The developments west of the O-Train are the right height (counting floors). I assume they didn't add SoHo Italia and Vibe:Battery because those buildings are the real competition when looking at height and design.

McC · #**459** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:47 PM**

Can I just go on the record stating that reading "Vibe (colon) Battery" fills me with the urge to break and/or rip something?

J.OT13 · #**460** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

Can I just go on the record stating that reading "Vibe (colon) Battery" fills me with the urge to break and/or rip something?

From now on I'll just call it Dow Honda towers. For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of the name either. I get that "Vibe" is suppose to represent a lively area and that "Battery" is suppose to evoke the NYC park but it's just not right when you put those two together!