The Great Canadian Skyline Thread! II

[dleung]

Originally Posted by kool maudit

the problem is building width. look at the three blocks here:



you walk for 200 meters or so and see three things. that's not a high number. something like this, while still residential and quiet, is far more varied from a pedestrian standpoint:



many people are concerned about building height, but it is building width that deadens cities.

This can't be emphasized enough. That's why I'm very much against consolidating parcels of land to create big podiums.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by dleung

This can't be emphasized enough. That's why I'm very much against consolidating parcels of land to create big podiums.

Yeah, brilliant point.

Upon reflection, it applies to all of the buildings I hate or am uneasy about in the Downtown.

[Martin Mtl]

Montreal - Low Aerial View by Michele Moroni on Flickr

[Martin Mtl]

Source

[P Unit]

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

Montreal - Low Aerial View by Michele Moroni on Flickr

This is absolutely fantastic.

[MonkeyRonin]

Originally Posted by dleung

This can't be emphasized enough. That's why I'm very much against consolidating parcels of land to create big podiums.

That isn't to say that wide buildings are inherently bad though - there are many designs that make good use of wider lots and a certain level of grandeur that would be impossible on something narrower. Achieving the same quality of urban form with wider lots is just a lot more difficult and requires much more careful design considerations - mediocre design just won't do. As is generally the case the more prominent a building becomes. "With great power comes great responsibility" evidently applies as well to buildings as it does to Spider Man.

[niwell]

^College Park is a good example of that I would say.

I don't actually hate Cityplace. It's a let-down for sure, but it's removed enough from downtown and was never really going to be anything other than residential. That being said, the Lower Donlands is shaping up to be a better example of instant urbanism. The buildings are still pretty wide though - not going to avoid that easily with the fiscal realities of development unfortunately.

[middeljohn]

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

Montreal - Low Aerial View by Michele Moroni on Flickr

Kind of reminds me of LA.

[Beedok]

I think any skylines in the distance over city for the whole space between get an LA vibe because LA is most famous for that view. Toronto, Hong Kong, New York, and Chicago all have water for instance. Most other cities like to be up close and personal.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by P Unit

This is absolutely fantastic.

Agreed. That's amazing!

[Chadillaccc]

By June Wang on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bg1hvc/

[ssiguy]

Originally Posted by dleung

This can't be emphasized enough. That's why I'm very much against consolidating parcels of land to create big podiums.

My god, CityPlace isn't even done yet and it already looks like a slum. That's made even worse that it is being surrounded by equally uninspiring blue glass boxes. You would think the city would have learnt it's lesson with huge look-alike developments with St.James but apparently not.

For a city that says it wants to bring the city closer to it's neighbourhood, it seems to be making sure that the connection between the two will be as sterile as humanly possible.

The only architectural requirements in Toronto these days is that the buildings be as bland as possible, all look the same, and stand up by themselves.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

The only architectural requirements in Toronto these days is that the buildings be as bland as possible, all look the same, and stand up by themselves.

Well that certainly isn't a gross exaggeration.

[TallBob]

Is that the new design for the Calgary Tower?

[TallBob]

Is that the new design for the Calgary Tower? LOL!

[Ramako]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/empty_quarter/12982571394/



https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexanderadams/13022555175/


In the second photo, note Five Condos going up at the bottom left. It'll end up topping out at 161 metres. The white and red cranes at the bottom right belong to U Condos (184 and 154 metres). Should make for an interesting view in a few months.

[suburbanite]

I don't want to be a downer, but I can't be the only one who thinks Toronto from the north is still its worst angle. Too many buildings with a thin profile from Yorkville.

[Chadillaccc]

Downtown sunrise, Calgary by cmanders, on Flickr

Vibrant cityscape by jmschrei, on Flickr

Calgary and west by jmschrei, on Flickr

Late afternoon light on the city centre by jmschrei, on Flickr

IMGP5666 - Version 2 by jmschrei, on Flickr

[SkahHigh]

Downtown Toronto seen from the sky:

[caltrane74]

Lots of room to grow!!!