Quote:
Originally Posted by turpentyne
One thing I've been fantasizing about is a diagonal, walkable bisecting of a lot. Sort of taking advantage of the RFP being for such a huge block, to create a little walkable strip of land. It'd add, street-level storefront space. I think one of the problems with Cityscape is that raised-up isolation in the east half of it Those steps are not inviting. I think that such huge projects need to not JUST face out, but also inward.
But, alas, it would be better to portion off these lots and let individual projects develop a nice diversity of structures.
|
Yes, the eastern CityScape tower almost accomplishes a well-designed product, but the change in grade is more of an obstacle than an enhancement: it requires work for the pedestrian who isn't able to see what they'd be walkiing to, and cuts off all views to the east, which could eventually be pretty active.
The issue with that, and your proposition, is that additional "streets" aren't needed, and yet always take precent over our traditional grid, leaving back f house and garage entries fronting major roads, as is the case on Washington, Jefferson and 1st Ave.
A diagonal pathway would do the same. If streets faced this path, back of house servicing would have to occur along at least one of Central, Madison, Jefferson, and 1st. I'm curious why you think these projects need to face inward at all? I guarantee that a Barrister project that faces outward, aligned to the existing street grid, using alleyways for service access and parking garage entrances, would have better street presence all around than any inward fading project we've seen. This reduces dead space and allows for uninterrupted street level activity. If it's open space you desire, this can still be accomplished depending on the site plan. All can have an architectural facade that allows for landscaping; corners can provide entry plazas or programming / gathering space, middle floors can be open air, roofs can be activated, recessed balconies, patios, etc. all provide that.
Otherwise, envision CityScape without the PSP requirement. On the east lot, the barber shop could squeeze next to the yogurt place, with most of Washington covered by a 2-story Golds wrapped around the lobby. A 2-story charming Charlie's would occupy the corner, followed by Jos A Bank, and alleyway for service and entry into the garage. Next, the base of the Palomar would start with Pearl Sushi, and apartment entry. On Jefferson, you could have The Breakfast Club, hotel lobby, Tilted Kilt wrapping the corner, with Blue Hound recessed on Level 7 along with entrance to the pool. The apartments would still be built atop this recessed portion. 1st Ave would remain the same.
This would pull all of the energy out of the inner staircase and second floor onto the streets. Washington and Jefferson, in particular, would benefit greatly.
Similarly, Having a Comedy Club, Copper Blues, and Lucky Strike across from the Luhrs arcade would been fantastic. However, that block should've been redesigned regardless once the upper level apartments were scratched. A city block of 1-story retail would be a huge wasted opportunity. Depending on what was allowed height wise, 2-3 story townhouses along 1st Ave would've been nice, with the CVS mixed in; then, the retail could've clustered along the portion west of the alley. Escalators to the 2nd floor along Central would definitely catch your eye.
Prev
Linear Mode
