Great Canadian Skyline Thread II

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by rousseau

It's a pretty great building in and of itself. It just looks awful in Calgary.

I vote we move it.

The Bow is an interesting product of civic policy.

While most American resource companies were expanding suburban campus headquarters in San Ramon, Irvine, Woodlands, and Houston's "I-10 Energy Corridor", Calgary managed to persuade Canada's largest natural gas company to build a state-of-the-art Foster+Partners skyscraper adjacent to the c-train in the heart of the city, complete with +15s and Plensa's Wonderland. Critically, the Bow is the reason that so much investment was able to be spent in CMLC's revitalization of the east village, which over the past decade has turned a hopeless case of urban decay into a completely reinvented neighbourhood with the brand new Riverwalk, St Georges Bridge, National Music Centre, New Central Library, refurbished heritage buildings (Simmons, St Louis, King Eddy), various parks, new utilities and streetscape, dozens of festivals and initiatives...

On the other hand, Encana and the developers came short of city demands. Part of the deal was to build a "South Block", which included historic facade. When the recession hit in 2009, it seemed this building would be lost forever. There is still no talk to completing the project. There were also some oversights with the surround plaza and accessibility.

Overall, most Calgarians are probably happy to have the Bow. The name and shape are superficial references to the Bow river and the Nitsitapi/Blackfoot Hunting bow. The shape apparently is oriented to make efficient work of the vast prairie daylight, allowing the low winter sun to penetrate from the south while the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle of reflection on hot summer days. This orientation, however, could be criticized for turning its back on the NE while opening to the corporate heart of town. At street level, the building is frankly cold and unwelcoming - like any corporate headquarters. In short, the Bow... has been a story in itself, and not without the controversy a project of its size warrants.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by RyLucky

The Bow is an interesting product of civic policy.

While most American resource companies were expanding suburban campus headquarters in San Ramon, Irvine, Woodlands, and Houston's "I-10 Energy Corridor", Calgary managed to persuade Canada's largest natural gas company to build a state-of-the-art Foster+Partners skyscraper adjacent to the c-train in the heart of the city, complete with +15s and Plensa's Wonderland. Critically, the Bow is the reason that so much investment was able to be spent in CMLC's revitalization of the east village, which over the past decade has turned a hopeless case of urban decay into a completely reinvented neighbourhood with the brand new Riverwalk, St Georges Bridge, National Music Centre, New Central Library, refurbished heritage buildings (Simmons, St Louis, King Eddy), various parks, new utilities and streetscape, dozens of festivals and initiatives...

On the other hand, Encana and the developers came short of city demands. Part of the deal was to build a "South Block", which included historic facade. When the recession hit in 2009, it seemed this building would be lost forever. There is still no talk to completing the project. There were also some oversights with the surround plaza and accessibility.

Overall, most Calgarians are probably happy to have the Bow. The name and shape are superficial references to the Bow river and the Nitsitapi/Blackfoot Hunting bow. The shape apparently is oriented to make efficient work of the vast prairie daylight, allowing the low winter sun to penetrate from the south while the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle of reflection on hot summer days. This orientation, however, could be criticized for turning its back on the NE while opening to the corporate heart of town. At street level, the building is frankly cold and unwelcoming - like any corporate headquarters. In short, the Bow... has been a story in itself, and not without the controversy a project of its size warrants.

The shape and orientation were supposed to work with the prevailing winds too. The Bow is a great building, the execution left a few things to be desired, but I think it's still the best looking office building in the Country.

[Chadillaccc]

Calgary Skyline by LH495 ✈, on Flickr

[mistercorporate]

He's back!! woot! woot!

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Calgary Skyline by LH495 ✈, on Flickr

Winter Club parking lot?

Also interesting to see the Calgary Tower slowly disappearing from some views, currently 7th tallest in Calgary and soon to be 8th.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

This pic reminds me of how much space and wildnerness Canada has, it just screams "opportunity"!

Do you mean it screams opportunity to explore, preserve and enjoy it as in hiking, bird watching, kayaking etc. or opportunity to exploit and destroy it as in razing it, and covering with buildings, roads and parking lots?

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

The shape and orientation were supposed to work with the prevailing winds too. The Bow is a great building, the execution left a few things to be desired, but I think it's still the best looking office building in the Country.

It's probably the most iconic office building ever built in Canada. I mean that earnestly. At least in the glass-and-steel era.

[mistercorporate]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Do you mean it screams opportunity to explore, preserve and enjoy it as in hiking, bird watching, kayaking etc. or opportunity to exploit and destroy it as in razing it, and covering with buildings, roads and parking lots?

Converting into beautiful rural farmland!

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by rousseau

It's a pretty great building in and of itself. It just looks awful in Calgary.

I vote we move it.

I don't mind it in Calgary. It's scale is a little awkward. Same with Brookfield. We'll see if Calgary eventually grows up to them.

[mistercorporate]

by Tom Hoyle on Flickr


by Alastair Humphreys on Flickr

[caltrane74]

I've never been thrilled with the skyline from the eastern dock, but it is at least getting better.

[ainvan]

IMHO, The Bow looks fine in Calgary. The Bow gives Calgary's skyline a sleek and modern look.

I think The Bow and other new buildings have cemented Calgary as the second-best skyline in Canada.


Calgary Skyline by Robert Mattson, on Flickr

[Martin Mtl]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLe9LcyjdqK/?tagged=montreal


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLe7jKXB05W/?taken-by=montreal.social


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLZsOyuhsrF/?taken-by=kiezsnob


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLemKEnDcBP/?taken-by=bigangeistheway


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLeqmhtBUxe/?taken-by=xavierlby


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLew0-phew0/?taken-by=larrydemontreal


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcEabjFwPB/?taken-by=charles_tvr


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcLQeBByRV/?taken-by=geekykeeky


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcF08ahlV7/?taken-by=geekykeeky


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcZmPVDoYK/?taken-by=velocitay


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLaeVB5Ak11/?taken-by=dom4good


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLUy_fWjuG3/?taken-by=art.pak.photography


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLU67NSAnVs/?taken-by=edauwd


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLZ22KZgaC-/?taken-by=edauwd


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLVjfkuhklH/?taken-by=adrienphotographer


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLYcvBXAtrl/?taken-by=dxiv.visuals


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLKaAMdAKN9/?taken-by=dxiv.visuals


https://www.instagram.com/p/BKR1iRvj5U7/?taken-by=dxiv.visuals


https://www.instagram.com/p/BJd_YPUj8dF/?taken-by=dxiv.visuals


https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnTNtkjiv0/?taken-by=dxiv.visuals


https://www.instagram.com/p/BLZnbchAlhg/?taken-by=mtldrone

[craner]

Originally Posted by rousseau

It's a pretty great building in and of itself. It just looks awful in Calgary.

I vote we move it.

Denied.

[dleung]

Originally Posted by koops

I like the lighting in this pic. Was gonna wait for a fresh page before quoting it, but then someone else had been saving his own photo pornado for the same occasion

[Monolith]

Unit 2910 128 W Cordova Street, Vancouver-82 by ONIKON Creative, on Flickr Uploaded on October 12, 2016

[MolsonExport]

Another delightful Montreal set.
that's it. I am moving back.

[MolsonExport]

very interesting shot:

[SkahHigh]

From the Champlain Bridge webcam, Holiday Inn and TOM starting to have a nice impact

[The Fisher Account]

Photo by me this morning: