7 Queen St N + 354 King St W | 77.2 & 41.7 m | 12 & 25 fl | Under Construction - Page 11

TheRitsman · #**201** Posted **Dec 26, 2018, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidcappi

The hotel at the corner is going to be a total precast structure, so expect it to go up quickly once it starts. This is never good news imo; the supplier, stubbes has only done really bad looking work in Hamilton like 220 cannon, 149 main and the panels at the Connaught.

Fingers crossed this turns out passable.

It would be so easy to make precast that doesn't look like shite. I can't believe there is not one company making precast right. Even just having the panels interlock rather than have a solid straight line for expansion with some similar coloured caulking to the grout.

LRTfan · #**202** Posted **Dec 27, 2018, 4:51 PM**

there are a ton of great looking precast companies around...sadly Hamilton's design panel doesn't focus on actual design. Just height and NIMBY issues.

jonny24 · #**203** Posted **Dec 27, 2018, 9:06 PM**

The Hampton Inn will probably look similar to the Hampton that Stubbe's did in Point Edward / Sarnia. They also did the two hotels at the 403/Garden Ave in Brantford, and a dual hotel in Niagara on the Lake.

Interlocking panels is possible, but has huge cost implications. Right now, the panels are poured on either a stationary bed with a fixed steel rail, or a robot places the straight rails on a movable pallet. Interlocking means drafting time, coordination time, building forms in the carpentry shop, laying them out with man power, more opportunities for edges to get damaged. Not sure how you'd even strip all the form work. And then once on site, you can't just crane into position. Those panels have rebar threaded into the top, and grout tubes in the bottoms of the panels that the bars insert into when you lower the panel. You couldn't do that with an Interlocking edge.

You'd probably triple the overall cost.

davidcappi · #**204** Posted **Dec 28, 2018, 4:16 PM**

I get why a developer would want to build the structure using precast, but it always feels like it's a late in the game cost saving choice. Stubbes seems to have a really hard time handling the seams of the panels in an elegant way. They don't produce corner panels so often they're just two abutting slabs sealed together, and their standard finish is two coats of paint. Compare it to the panels at 22 George which were made by RES, which can produce curved, angled and even corner panels in way more finishes and textures. Even the faux stone panels at 22 George look better than the kind Stubbes makes.

Chronamut · #**205** Posted **Dec 28, 2018, 9:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidcappi

Even the faux stone panels at 22 George look better than the kind Stubbes makes.

Wholeheartedly agree.

Chronamut · #**206** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 5:17 PM**

Some site plans from vrancor for the site - not currently available to the public as of now - got them through my work - enjoy!:

Some nice infill - I am not seeing where the 1 story green roof is on the 2 buildings in the back though.. according to the site plans there are supposed to be green roofs.. but oh well.. we'll see how many more changes it goes through until the final result hehe..

Also it kinda makes that white apartment building beside it look shabby in comparison in the final picture..

davidcappi · #**207** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 5:49 PM**

I believe those are outdated and don't reflect what will be built. The architects listed on the newer plans are Saplys and SRM.

atnor · #**208** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 6:06 PM**

Always make sure you’re allowed to post these plans, especially if you have personal information in your signature.

king10 · #**209** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 6:21 PM**

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

TheRitsman · #**210** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 6:43 PM**

Not a fan of how suburban and 80s these buildings are designed. Looks like the surrounding 80s buildings design with a better architectural design and more windows.

durandy · #**211** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 7:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

Not a fan of how suburban and 80s these buildings are designed. Looks like the surrounding 80s buildings design with a better architectural design and more windows.

Maybe you see buildings like this in the suburbs of Guangzhou, but I'm not seeing it in the GTA. Anyway, this is massive density, Vrancor is on its own level, even if the buildings are uninspired (even if these aren't correct renders)

Chronamut · #**212** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 7:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by durandy

Maybe you see buildings like this in the suburbs of Guangzhou, but I'm not seeing it in the GTA. Anyway, this is massive density, Vrancor is on its own level, even if the buildings are uninspired (even if these aren't correct renders)

Hmm well I guess we'll just wait for correct renders.

And yeah it's fine to post them - I work for the cable company so they send us their renders so that we can plan to put our utilities in before it gets built. If I get updated ones I will post them.

But yeah the design is rather uninspired, as I say whatever they can cobble together in design software is usually what the buildings end up looking - lots of boxy elements. It's basically just ikea like design - cobbling together a buncha stuff together. Kinda glad I opted out of working in architecture - having to design stuff like this woulda killed my soul.

Also here is saply's design for the corner building - homewood suites I believe. It's off their site so if it's not up to date that's on them. Not a huge fan of the brick part smack dab in the middle there..

At least I am assiming this is the one - it appears to be their only hamilton project.

Also not feeling very inspired by srm architects stuff either- their stuff feels rather blase..

Eh that's a lie I guess.. some of them were pretty cool - don't see any projects on there for hamilton though, although maybe they only upload them once they have concrete renders..

I must say though, this waterloo building is pretty darn cool - seems they mostly just do kitchener and waterloo projects:

I like it cuz it has design elements in the white outlining and arches but is still glassy and modern - we need more buildings like that.

TheRitsman · #**213** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 10:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by durandy

Maybe you see buildings like this in the suburbs of Guangzhou, but I'm not seeing it in the GTA. Anyway, this is massive density, Vrancor is on its own level, even if the buildings are uninspired (even if these aren't correct renders)

I mean how much of downtown Hamilton doesn't have downtown feeling condo and apartment buildings. With a bunch of unused green space the street scape ends up being dull and dead. The first floor looks like it has little to zero connection to the street. Again I know this is a forum for skyscrapers, but I cannot advocate for suburban style condo and apartment buildings like Mississauga has. If I see a condo building where I feel like most of the inhabitants would prefer driving over walking or taking transit I feel uncomfortable supporting it on the basis of density alone, especially in the case where the design is uninspiring.

LRTfan · #**214** Posted **Jan 21, 2019, 11:55 PM**

definitely a fan of the density with this concept, but the street frontage on Market and Napier needs a lot of work: should have 2-3 storey urban townhomes along both streets, with retail at both corners - Napier/Queen, Market/Queen. Like a Vancouver podium/tower concept. This just looks like a modern version of 'tower in the park' like we see all through the city.
Much needed density is A+ but the street level lacks, and the street levels matters IMO

Do this along Market and Napier so this project seamlessly blends into the residential fabric to the west, and creates a new walkable, tree-lined street:

Chronamut · #**215** Posted **Jan 22, 2019, 2:59 AM**

Yeah the design, as is, definitely leaves a lot to be desired. We'll see what improvements they provide with the new people heading this.

Sometimes I wonder if any developers actually read our comments and make changes based on what we say, or if we're all just griping in the wind hehe..

ScreamingViking · #**216** Posted **Jan 22, 2019, 5:40 AM**

This must be an earlier render of the existing hotel at Bay and George. You can see the Textile Building on the right, and to the left the BMO branch and facsimile of Core Lofts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronamut

Also here is saply's design for the corner building - homewood suites I believe. It's off their site so if it's not up to date that's on them. Not a huge fan of the brick part smack dab in the middle there..

At least I am assiming this is the one - it appears to be their only hamilton project.

ScreamingViking · #**217** Posted **Jan 22, 2019, 5:49 AM**

If that massing stays, that's pretty dense. I don't think it's out of place though, with comparable height buildings nearby on Market St. and further north on Queen.

I could see the city ask that the taller tower go at the corner of Queen so there's a step down to the west where there are homes and lower-rise buildings like the Good Shepherd complex.

Bubba9000 · #**218** Posted **Jan 23, 2019, 2:31 PM**

Hawrylyshyn · #**219** Posted **Jan 23, 2019, 2:43 PM**

From what can I see, street level seems terrible.

LRTfan · #**220** Posted **Jan 23, 2019, 4:02 PM**

I'm liking the sound of the street-facing townhomes along Market, assuming they are urban in form such as the ones I posted above. Being Hamilton we'll probably end up with vinyl townhomes that look like suburban stoney creek.

The heights seem too low to me for such a prominent corner along the LRT route. The 15-storey building is fine, but 6 storeys facing King??? Makes no sense. A real wasted opportunity to add many more housing units. I'd have preferred a 15+ storey residential building beside the hotel.