Calgary Construction XXVI

[Bad Grizzly]

The best answer is none of those three. You’d have to crazy to leave a nice neighbourhood like Martha loop and move to a place like the Beltline.

First off all three of those condominium buildings are overpriced so from a financial point of view it’s not a smart move.

Some people might want to move to the beltline for the so called ‘vibrancy’, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Marda loop already has urban vibrancy, plus it’s a safe clean neighbourhood unlke the Beltline.

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

Haha, thanks for the clarification

Anyone have strong opinions on any of these beltline classics?

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

Anyone have strong opinions on any of these beltline classics?

UNDERWOOD

Underwood left, Union Square (2009) right

Does anyone know if they will be using the facade from the old sandstone and brick building with the painting on the side? That would be a shame if it's to be replaced by another glass podium.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Does anyone know if they will be using the facade from the old sandstone and brick building with the painting on the side? That would be a shame if it's to be replaced by another glass podium.

From the most recent Calgary Heritage Authority minutes:

"Underwood Block Annex – Heritage Planning has approved an Intervention Request to maintain and restore elements of the building in conjunction with redevelopment of the adjacent vacant site into a mixed-use high-rise building. Interventions include repointing and cleaning of the brick assembly, potential sandstone repair, and restoration of the leaded glass transom windows. A future Intervention Request is anticipated for restoration or replacement of tin cornices and windows."

Fun fact, you may recall there was a skinny tower next to it before Union Square was built


photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/103261690

The lower building was an annex to, and the skinny tower was an enclosed fire escape to the Underwood block which burned down in 1989


glenbow.org

These were the remnants in 2002


photo: https://www.flickr.com/p/pnqpcy / Leigh Anthony DEHANEY

And today


photo: google maps

[jc_yyc_ca]

Although the prices of units might be cheaper in the beltline, grizzly is correct. In the long run the Beltline is actually more expensive. The value of units on the Beltline won’t go up in value, and actually more likely to go down whereas in Marda loop they will go up due to Marda Loop having a large number of single family homes that are worth a lot of money. Many of the units in the Beltline are cheap, yes, but it’s like buying Baltic Avenue whereas Marda Loop is more like a Marvin Gardens if you know what that reference means.

My wife’s a realtor, this is what she has said many times. If I were you I would stay in Marda Loop.

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

I will respectfully disagree. I've lived most my life in Marda Loop...it is too quiet for me. Not enough good pubs/breweries. It's also changing as we speak....tons of condos going up. The wannabee rich lifestyle is a bit overwhelming as well with Altadore as its neighbor.
You think beltline is overpriced? When comparing sf and quality of units, Beltline is a deal right now. It is one of the communities that has dropped the most in the last 2 years, so better deals imo. I'm viewing a place in East Village today though.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

From the most recent Calgary Heritage Authority minutes:

"Underwood Block Annex – Heritage Planning has approved an Intervention Request to maintain and restore elements of the building in conjunction with redevelopment of the adjacent vacant site into a mixed-use high-rise building. Interventions include repointing and cleaning of the brick assembly, potential sandstone repair, and restoration of the leaded glass transom windows. A future Intervention Request is anticipated for restoration or replacement of tin cornices and windows."

Fun fact, you may recall there was a skinny tower next to it before Union Square was built


photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/entheos_fog/103261690

The lower building was an annex to, and the skinny tower was an enclosed fire escape to the Underwood block which burned down in 1989


glenbow.org

These were the remnants in 2002


photo: https://www.flickr.com/p/pnqpcy / Leigh Anthony DEHANEY

And today


photo: google maps

I always thought that tower looked weird! Makes sense it was a fire escape. I couldn’t tell from the recent photo showing construction of the second tower if it was intact. Is it located between the two condos then?

[milomilo]

It's almost as if different communities suit different lifestyles. Who knew!

Welcome to the forum Littlechilds and thanks for injecting a bit of life and sanity into this thread - I'm pretty sure everyone here appreciates it.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/Best-Neighb...ods-2016/Calgarys-Top-12-Neighbourhoods/

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/Best-Neighb...ods-2017/Calgarys-Top-10-Neighbourhoods/

I have experience in both communities, and you just can't make a broad statement on which is best per situation. Marda Loop is a snoozer for me (streets are quiet), and the commute sucks going up that hill haha. I'm in the condo market, condos in ML are crap, no views. High floor expansive views are high priority for me. Lots of "hype around ML, but seeing I've been here 9+ years on and off, I'm ready to move on.
East Village would be great, but obviously prices are much higher.
ps...I own a rental in Altadore...that is a whole different story.

Anyways, moving on, agree to disagree lol.

Beltline is diverse, and you can get extremes on both ends of the spectrum there. I'm sure you won't be looking for a 1960's boarding house with fire code issues.

[milomilo]

It should be welcomed that people don't all have the exact same preferences. Personally, Marda Loop or somewhere similar is the perfect balance of vibrancy to space for me, and the Beltline is too high density. But of course I am glad that other people want to live in the Beltine, as it makes the whole city better and makes the centre of Calgary more of a destination.

[Northern]

Everyone has different preferences, but the statement about the Beltline not being cheaper in the long run is true. Marda Loop is a better investment, and even though the condos might not have high-rise views, they'll hold their value, and probably appreciate.

The Beltline on the other hand is going to be undesirable in a few years, a sea of spandrel covered rental towers that will look dated in a few years. East Village is on a roll and has the buzz but it's going to be the same in a few years. A collection of towers that all look the same and will become dated together. Bad place to buy, you're better off renting for a few years, and once you get married and have kids you can move into a SFH in Marda loop.

PS, don't bother with the Avenue yearly poll, everyone knows it's a joke. You realize that other luminary neighborhoods like Tuscany have won 1st place in past years right?

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/Best-Neighb...ods-2016/Calgarys-Top-12-Neighbourhoods/

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/Best-Neighb...ods-2017/Calgarys-Top-10-Neighbourhoods/

I have experience in both communities, and you just can't make a broad statement on which is best per situation. Marda Loop is a snoozer for me (streets are quiet), and the commute sucks going up that hill haha. I'm in the condo market, condos in ML are crap, no views. High floor expansive views are high priority for me. Lots of "hype around ML, but seeing I've been here 9+ years on and off, I'm ready to move on.
East Village would be great, but obviously prices are much higher.
ps...I own a rental in Altadore...that is a whole different story.

Anyways, moving on, agree to disagree lol.

[sammyd]

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news...nt-fate-in-question-after-drainage-study

Looks like the City may get to buy some vast tracts of land. Can’t wait to see what art they choose for it.

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by sammyd

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news...nt-fate-in-question-after-drainage-study

Looks like the City may get to buy some vast tracts of land. Can’t wait to see what art they choose for it.

So is this project essentially dead? If so, then the community got what they wanted. A shame, cuz the concepts (water issues aside) looked pretty good!

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Northern

The Beltline on the other hand is going to be undesirable in a few years, a sea of spandrel covered rental towers that will look dated in a few years.

I don't think that's fair. If I were looking at the Beltline, I'd consider being on green space (and facing it from the selected unit, so I don't get blocked by a future building), being close to LRT current or future if possible, being as high as possible (I've got a thing about views also), and being at least a block from any of the stretches that have late hour establishments. I think access is also a challenge for some of the places IE I'd likely want to be within a block and a half from one of the collector roads (for the off time driving is required).

[Northern]

Exactly. Anyone in real estate knows this. The Beltline may have more action due to all the bars in the neighborhood, but it has its downside of crime and graffiti etc. It's always going to bring the neighborhood down.

Originally Posted by jc_yyc_ca

Although the prices of units might be cheaper in the beltline, grizzly is correct. In the long run the Beltline is actually more expensive. The value of units on the Beltline won’t go up in value, and actually more likely to go down whereas in Marda loop they will go up due to Marda Loop having a large number of single family homes that are worth a lot of money. Many of the units in the Beltline are cheap, yes, but it’s like buying Baltic Avenue whereas Marda Loop is more like a Marvin Gardens if you know what that reference means.

My wife’s a realtor, this is what she has said many times. If I were you I would stay in Marda Loop.

[Northern]

I was exaggerating slightly, but only slightly. Those new rental towers going up are going to look dated, and will quickly become low rent towers. The neighborhood as a whole will decline, bottom line is that it's not a wise choice to buy in. Rent an apartment there when you're young and enjoy the bars etc. but the long term view involves growing up, having a family and moving into a place like Marda Loop.

Originally Posted by suburbia

I don't think that's fair. If I were looking at the Beltline, I'd consider being on green space (and facing it from the selected unit, so I don't get blocked by a future building), being close to LRT current or future if possible, being as high as possible (I've got a thing about views also), and being at least a block from any of the stretches that have late hour establishments. I think access is also a challenge for some of the places IE I'd likely want to be within a block and a half from one of the collector roads (for the off time driving is required).

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

So is this project essentially dead? If so, then the community got what they wanted. A shame, cuz the concepts (water issues aside) looked pretty good!

Was the city in such a rush to densify this area five (?) years ago that they forgot to fully look into the drainage issue? This sounds like it end up costing us a lot of money.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by sammyd

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news...nt-fate-in-question-after-drainage-study

Looks like the City may get to buy some vast tracts of land. Can’t wait to see what art they choose for it.

This was an awful proposal that looked more like a poorly designed university campus or ski resort accommodation than a liveable community, so I'm glad if it has died. Better to have that land as green space for 10 years than wasted for 50.

[Western Spaghetti]

40 year guy with no kids (most likely) wants to move to the Beltline. Three words: Mid life crisis

Originally Posted by Littlechilds

I'm almost 40 lol.
I was out of the renting scene 20+ years ago!

I have strong feelings with all these new 3-6 story condos going up here in Marda loop....they look like crap with small windows, no view, and no amenities....I still disagree with some of the opinions, but I'm fine with that, and understand the opposite side of the argument

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Northern

Exactly. Anyone in real estate knows this. The Beltline may have more action due to all the bars in the neighborhood, but it has its downside of crime and graffiti etc. It's always going to bring the neighborhood down.

[jc_yyc_ca]

Originally Posted by Western Spaghetti

40 year guy with no kids (most likely) wants to move to the Beltline. Three words: Mid life crisis

That would be my guess. To each their own as they say, but still, someone who's 40 years old and moving to the Beltline is certainly the exception. The demographics for the Beltline are young couples or singles, or empty-nesters.

[Daemon]

Telus sky from new angle same as Octaular