Canadian City Proposals

[zahav]

That Grand Rapids one is disgusting wow, not one redeeming feature

[csbvan]

It is impossibly bad

[TorontoDrew]

Wow, I skimmed passed that. I thought it was a picture of an old penitentiary.

[Franco401]

Usually the only US projects that Canadian developments get compared to are the prestige condos of NYC, LA, Chicago, etc but we should try not to forget that (almost by sheer volume) their worst projects are considerably worse than the vast majority of ours.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by csbvan

It is impossibly bad

Well, apparently not impossible, but...it is certainly worthy of discussion in ugliest structures of all time.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Franco401

Usually the only US projects that Canadian developments get compared to are the prestige condos of NYC, LA, Chicago, etc but we should try not to forget that (almost by sheer volume) their worst projects are considerably worse than the vast majority of ours.

Sure but one should always compare to 'best in class'. Doing better than 'bottom of the barrel' is a very low bar. And if 'best in class' can be topped that's what we should aim for in everything we do. There's no reason why Canada can't be that benchmark to which others aspire to.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Sure but one should always compare to 'best in class'. Doing better than 'bottom of the barrel' is a very low bar. And if 'best in class' can be topped that's what we should aim for in everything we do. There's no reason why Canada can't be that benchmark to which others aspire to.

The thing is though, if we also want affordability not every project can be a show stopper.

I will say the average condo tower in Vancouver / BC is far far far more pleasing to the eye than the average residential tower in Japan. After moving here seeing people complain about Yaketown makes me laugh (if only they knew what is to found in the average bedroom district of Osaka), but of course thy doesn’t mean we should accept any old garbage.

[scryer]

Unpopular opinion: I actually think that the Metrotown tower will look much better constructed than in these renders.

But the short tower's crown is a little triggering for me .

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

The thing is though, if we also want affordability not every project can be a show stopper.

I will say the average condo tower in Vancouver / BC is far far far more pleasing to the eye than the average residential tower in Japan. After moving here seeing people complain about Yaketown makes me laugh (if only they knew what is to found in the average bedroom district of Osaka), but of course thy doesn’t mean we should accept any old garbage.

True, and from what I understand housing is much more affordable there.

[MonkeyRonin]

That's due to their liberal zoning, population decline, and the subsequent absence of housing being used as an investment (instead being treated as a depreciating asset). Nothing to do with the design of the buildings themselves.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

That's due to their liberal zoning, population decline, and the subsequent absence of housing being used as an investment (instead being treated as a depreciating asset). Nothing to do with the design of the buildings themselves.

It's interesting too because if housing is a multi-generational asset then the real depreciation is the "cost" of it. North American housing could be built more expensively but be cheaper per unit of time. I have heard that's true of single family dwellings but I don't know for multi unit.

The developers complain that land costs and fees are a large and growing portion of the unit costs for condos.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

The thing is though, if we also want affordability not every project can be a show stopper.

Therein lies part of the problem. Alot of people assume good design equates to expensive/a showstopper. That's just not the case. We can accomplish a great deal on a limited budget but the default is to use cheap materials, make poor design choices, and/or throw in the towel because it's for low/middle income people. Beauty, functionality, and quality doesn't mean pricey. Its just harder to attain on a smaller budget.

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I will say the average condo tower in Vancouver / BC is far far far more pleasing to the eye than the average residential tower in Japan. After moving here seeing people complain about Yaketown makes me laugh (if only they knew what is to found in the average bedroom district of Osaka), but of course thy doesn’t mean we should accept any old garbage.

Which brings me to the point I made before. Doing better than Japan doesn't mean we should declare 'job well done'. That Yaletown is better than typical Japanese residential is neither here nor there. Being of the mindset where we continually critique and want better is why we have better residential than Japan in the first place. Not being satisfied with merely outdoing the a rival is how one develops a reputation for leadership, excellence, etc. It may get irritating to hear people complain but a necessary 'evil' imo.

[MonkeyRonin]

Comparing Yaletown to "average Japan" is also a bit misleading, being that Yaletown is a prime downtown neighbourhood with an above-average quality of housing stock and price level. I should hope it looks better than a workaday suburb of Osaka - just as it should look better than what's going up in places like Surrey or Richmond.

[J.OT13]

Office proposal in Ottawa. It's a slightly modified version of the mid-2000s version. The the square building on the right of the image is existing, and so is the plaza (set to expand further south to Laurier). It replaces a multi-level parking garage. If built, it will be the first office building in the CBD since 90 and 150 Eglin opened in 2014.

This will only be a filler building. No impact on the skyline from any angle.

Originally Posted by Urbanarchit

I can't find the 269 Laurier folder, but it seems Phase 2 using the parking lot at 170 Slater is potentially going to be under construction. There is a more updated rendering of the office building, and the website is up and running with a flyover and additional renderings: https://170slater.com/ Maybe a thread can be made if one doesn't exist already for 170 Slater.

It will be 20 Floors, 252 parking spots, 397,974sqft of office space.

[Innsertnamehere]

looks straight out of 2003.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

looks straight out of 2003.

Close. Initially proposed in 2007. Here's the original rendering from that time.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Office proposal in Ottawa. It's a slightly modified version of the mid-2000s version. The the square building on the right of the image is existing, and so is the plaza (set to expand further south to Laurier). It replaces a multi-level parking garage. If built, it will be the first office building in the CBD since 90 and 150 Eglin opened in 2014.

This will only be a filler building. No impact on the skyline from any angle.

Depending on land availability in the city, "filler" buildings ain't so bad in my books. Especially office buildings since they can inject some much needed daytime life in the immediate area.

[Airboy]

I think this is a 3rd version of this project. I don't think the towers will go ahead. there was to much opposition the first time.

https://www.arcstudio.ca/riverbanklanding

[ericmacm]

That Ottawa office proposal will make great infill. The design is certainly dated, but I think it'll be a nice addition nonetheless. I love seeing these small empty spaces in the core getting filled in.

[905er]

I agree.. the tower isn't spectacular but it isn't a bad looking tower either... and any infill office towers in Ottawa should be welcome.. my biggest criticism... again.. height.. or lack there of.