Calgary Construction XXVI

[WhipperSnapper]

That's the developer. None of the renderings fit the foundations here. They are builders of obnoxious , overwrought architecture. This trash is not worth more of our time.

[Deepstar]

Building a big McMansion like this is a colossal waste. A fine example of money put to the wrong places.

Originally Posted by suburbia

Wow - that's going to completely mess up the neighbour's vantage - and they will no longer get any morning sun either.



It is not like I wouldn't live there, and I'm sure the spaces / views from the terrace and through the massive windows will be exceptional - but it does lack character and is somewhat an intimidating structure. Still, I'd certainly take it if offered to me.

To think $4.5 million just to secure the two lots / clear the combined plot!

What type of costs for this type of construction IE all metal beams / curved spaces, massive glass, likely top notch quality for 8K sf above grade?

Curious who owns this thing. It seems there is some concern about security also - the front perimeter stepped up like that is a great way to ensure no one rams their car into the home, and the metal fencing along the side / back confirms it wasn't just aesthetics.

[Northern]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Building a big McMansion like this is a colossal waste. A fine example of money put to the wrong places.

What? A colossal waste? Please explain this line of thinking, it makes no sense whatsoever.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Building a big McMansion like this is a colossal waste. A fine example of money put to the wrong places.

I found it odd that combining lots would be approved for a single larger home. We saw an arguably worse example in Pumphill some years back.

Money being a waste or not being a waste is beyond the discussion IMHO.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by suburbia

What type of costs for this type of construction IE all metal beams / curved spaces, massive glass, likely top notch quality for 8K sf above grade?

There was 4219 Britannia Drive SW.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-est...-value-drop-by2-million/article33986142/

Not quite the same contemporary style, but a similar sized house in an expensive neighborhood:

At two-and-a-half storeys and 8,500 square feet of above-ground living space (11,000 square feet in total), the property would be one of Calgary's largest inner city homes with an enviable position on a prestigious property ridge in the southwest community of Britannia.

Ms. Chad's vision included an enormous master suite plus three additional bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a home theatre, office and library, dressing room and spa, an indoor swimming pool and steam room, gourmet kitchen and formal dining room. All of which would be built around a central atrium with a large vaulted skylight. There would also be two panic rooms including a fully equipped Cold War nuclear shelter 15 feet below ground.

...

"The rebuild value on the property is $8-million. You can't rebuild a house of this size in sandstone and solid concrete for less than $7-million," he continues.

The Alberta SPIN2 system suggests it recently sold for $3.18M, showing the current challenges of the luxury house market in Calgary.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by accord1999

There was 4219 Britannia Drive SW.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-est...-value-drop-by2-million/article33986142/

Not quite the same contemporary style, but a similar sized house in an expensive neighborhood:

The Alberta SPIN2 system suggests it recently sold for $3.18M, showing the current challenges of the luxury house market in Calgary.

So very safe to say that combining the sunk cost of $4.5M for the two properties, plus the construction costs, this is going to potentially be a $10M+ cost to complete. I guess they won't be selling any time soon based on the selling price example you provided. Some deep pockets there!

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by Northern

What? A colossal waste? Please explain this line of thinking, it makes no sense whatsoever.

It does make sense. That view is incredible from that location, instead some greedy capitalist dude who made all his money off oil is going to take up the whole parcel just for himself. IMO there shouldn’t be any SF homes along Crescent Road, that should all be public space or redeveloped with higher zoning.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

It does make sense. That view is incredible from that location, instead some greedy capitalist dude who made all his money off oil is going to take up the whole parcel just for himself. IMO there shouldn’t be any SF homes along Crescent Road, that should all be public space or redeveloped with higher zoning.

Well, I mean the other side of the street is all public space, and the ~4 block size Crescent Heights park is just a block away.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Building a big McMansion like this is a colossal waste. A fine example of money put to the wrong places.

As someone else said, it's hardly a waste of the person's money. What else is someone going to spend money on than the place they live? I imagine the percentage of money this person spends over the course of their life on housing is less than you or I.

Secondly, it's not a 'McMansion' either, just a mansion. McMansions are cheap, tacky, oversized, cartoon versions of expensive houses built in the suburbs. Although, granted, this house probably meets the 'oversized' criteria, IMO. If I had spent that much on land in the inner city I'd want a decent amount of it to be garden. But I can't see much of what this looks like yet.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

It does make sense. That view is incredible from that location, instead some greedy capitalist dude who made all his money off oil is going to take up the whole parcel just for himself. IMO there shouldn’t be any SF homes along Crescent Road, that should all be public space or redeveloped with higher zoning.

The positives of communism aside, I think such high-handed dictates are a pinch far off from Canadian reality there Deepstar.

And how do you know that it is a guy who is building this and not a successful woman?

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by suburbia

So very safe to say that combining the sunk cost of $4.5M for the two properties, plus the construction costs, this is going to potentially be a $10M+ cost to complete. I guess they won't be selling any time soon based on the selling price example you provided. Some deep pockets there!

I would agree with that estimate. And I think that Crescent Road is such a great location, it might be worth it for a forever home.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by milomilo

If I had spent that much on land in the inner city I'd want a decent amount of it to be garden.

Given bylaws and how close to the front curb this one is being built, I'm thinking there is a large outdoor area out back for entertaining. While it messes up his neighbour's view because this one is so much further towards the front of the lot, from a utilization perspective, I'd prefer that. Too many houses are half-way in their lots, making the front and the back somewhat unusable (or less usable). This backyard should be in the vicinity of 5K sf (hopefully not all concrete, pavers and stone). Only downside for the back is that it is north-facing.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

It does make sense. That view is incredible from that location, instead some greedy capitalist dude who made all his money off oil is going to take up the whole parcel just for himself.

There's still public access to the road and pathway and plenty of viewing sites. In other cities, such a prime piece of property may very well be gated off from the public.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Secondly, it's not a 'McMansion' either, just a mansion. McMansions are cheap, tacky, oversized, cartoon versions of expensive houses built in the suburbs. Although, granted, this house probably meets the 'oversized' criteria, IMO. If I had spent that much on land in the inner city I'd want a decent amount of it to be garden. But I can't see much of what this looks like yet.

I don't know if it quantifies as a McMansion but, it is a tacky, oversized, cartoon imitation of modern design.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by milomilo

As someone else said, it's hardly a waste of the person's money. What else is someone going to spend money on than the place they live? I imagine the percentage of money this person spends over the course of their life on housing is less than you or I.

An individual wealth has nothing to do with building a great city. The approved usage of the site is being questioned which is also more interesting a discussion than fawning over property owners. (a.k.a. must own a condo in a development to post an opinion about it.)

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

I don't know if it quantifies as a McMansion but, it is a tacky, oversized, cartoon imitation of modern design.

Have we even seen the design?

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

This trash is not worth more of our time.

Which was followed with ...

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

I don't know if it quantifies as a McMansion but, it is a tacky, oversized, cartoon imitation of modern design.

I'm quite sure the conclusion was that we have not seen a rendering.

Do you have access to the permits, or are you basing your opinions of it being tacky and a cartoon'ish design on innuendo from other forumers?

I've always been somewhat uneasy about oversized SFH lots in the inner city in all honesty, but even with that as a backdrop, I was taken by Deepstar's view that all of crescent hill should be void of SFH irrespective of heritage value, and replaced by multi-family.

Deepstar also spoke of it being all public access, but the counterpoint to that was the fully accessible public pathway, look outs, and roadway with enabling parking, that has always been public access.

So what are your thoughts about imposing full-on higher density multi-family across that entire stretch as Deepstar had proposed?

I think only Deepstar and you have forcefully expressed disdain for this unreleased design, so I'm asking you your opinion on the other half of his commentary.

As a comment about increased density in that general area, I've been a supporter for increased density at the bottom of that hill, particularly after the flooding. A great opportunity to re-do that parking lot, take out the low-intensity development that is the curling arena, and perhaps a few other non-heritage homes, and build up 4-5 floors (with proper flood mitigation designs). Think I'd support that way ahead of ripping out all the homes on top of the hill!

[EDIT]

While I'm certain there would be huge in-community resistance to this, what I think also would be a very good thing is for one of the beautiful homes with a view along the top, somewhere in the vicinity of the stairs, to be converted into a restaurant / coffee place. That would be spectacular, but like I said, there would be huge resistance. I don't know how well utilized that prime location church is, but man that being re-developed into a modest public square with a coffee shop / restaurant there would also be amazing. Again, there would be huge resistance I'm sure. Maybe this house on the left as a coffee shop / restaurant, and the church on the right replaced with a public square:
https://goo.gl/maps/oQ3Qd8wdFWt

[ST1]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

It does make sense. That view is incredible from that location, instead some greedy capitalist dude who made all his money off oil is going to take up the whole parcel just for himself. IMO there shouldn’t be any SF homes along Crescent Road, that should all be public space or redeveloped with higher zoning.

[ST1]

You can add me to the list of those who have disdain for the house...even though I haven't even seen it. I don't know if the person building is a greedy capitalist or not, but I don't care about that. I do think this house will stick out like a sore thumb - a large sou-less mcMansion that would be better suited in a place like Springbank and not a nice inner city street.

Originally Posted by suburbia

Which was followed with ...

I'm quite sure the conclusion was that we have not seen a rendering.

Do you have access to the permits, or are you basing your opinions of it being tacky and a cartoon'ish design on innuendo from other forumers?

I've always been somewhat uneasy about oversized SFH lots in the inner city in all honesty, but even with that as a backdrop, I was taken by Deepstar's view that all of crescent hill should be void of SFH irrespective of heritage value, and replaced by multi-family.

Deepstar also spoke of it being all public access, but the counterpoint to that was the fully accessible public pathway, look outs, and roadway with enabling parking, that has always been public access.

So what are your thoughts about imposing full-on higher density multi-family across that entire stretch as Deepstar had proposed?

I think only Deepstar and you have forcefully expressed disdain for this unreleased design, so I'm asking you your opinion on the other half of his commentary.

As a comment about increased density in that general area, I've been a supporter for increased density at the bottom of that hill, particularly after the flooding. A great opportunity to re-do that parking lot, take out the low-intensity development that is the curling arena, and perhaps a few other non-heritage homes, and build up 4-5 floors (with proper flood mitigation designs). Think I'd support that way ahead of ripping out all the homes on top of the hill!

[EDIT]

While I'm certain there would be huge in-community resistance to this, what I think also would be a very good thing is for one of the beautiful homes with a view along the top, somewhere in the vicinity of the stairs, to be converted into a restaurant / coffee place. That would be spectacular, but like I said, there would be huge resistance. I don't know how well utilized that prime location church is, but man that being re-developed into a modest public square with a coffee shop / restaurant there would also be amazing. Again, there would be huge resistance I'm sure. Maybe this house on the left as a coffee shop / restaurant, and the church on the right replaced with a public square:
https://goo.gl/maps/oQ3Qd8wdFWt

[Northern]

Originally Posted by ST1

So you’re one of those young misguided hipsters then. Yup, bringing back Lenin will solve all of our problems / S