206 King Street West | ? m | 14 fl | Under Construction

[TheHonestMaple]

Yeah I mean the architect obviously just didn't feel like going to the trouble of including that in their model. They're selling a condo after all, not an LRT.

I've lived in two cities that have a streetcar network. You don't even notice the lines. Heck, you don't even notice the trains after a while. I lived in an apartment where the tram literally passed by my window by about 3m, and I didn't even hear it after a while. Just part of living in a big city.

[davidcappi]

that fake heritage podium is...... not....working for me. Would like to see the tower portion simplified as well, but I fear it's too late for any design revisions on this one. Real shame about the daylight triangle too - I can't recall any municipality with such intense requirements for building corners.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

that fake heritage podium is...... not....working for me. Would like to see the tower portion simplified as well, but I fear it's too late for any design revisions on this one. Real shame about the daylight triangle too - I can't recall any municipality with such intense requirements for building corners.

To be completely fair to the triangle, the sidewalk is quite tight there. I walk by almost daily, and it's a tight corner. A little more room for peds would be handy.

As long as they do a decent job, I think the podium looks great. As long as they don't pull a Darko. If they pull a Core Urban it could look great, but it would have been nice if they could have avoided the spandrel glass at least on the podium. How hard is it to avoid spandrel glass, like c'mon.

[TheHonestMaple]

Personally I love it. Sort of reminds me of the King Portland Centre in Toronto. I'm getting King West Toronto vibes with this build. I think the faux historic podium will look fantastic - if done right. As Ritsman mentioned, if it's similar to a CoreUrban, then we have a really good thing here. And based on the article in The Spec yesterday, I think they're planning on using quality materials.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

that fake heritage podium is...... not....working for me. Would like to see the tower portion simplified as well, but I fear it's too late for any design revisions on this one. Real shame about the daylight triangle too - I can't recall any municipality with such intense requirements for building corners.

I don't agree - the heritage podium keeps it in character with the surrounding area on that side of the street, some of the last remaining heritage buildings.

I do agree the need for a daylight triangle sucks though.

I honestly think they should just leave all heritage reconstructions to core urban and liuna - let the people who do it best do it. Core urban has gained a lot of respect in that field. They have proven that heritage is just another style and just because it's the modern age doesn't mean that you can never have any sorta heritage build ever again. I tire of modern builds to be honest - just geometric shapes and boring precast. It's nice to see a nice change every now and then.

This city doesn't have anything against heritage, it's just that most aren't allowed to because they lack the skill to do it properly, core urban knows what they are doing.

[TheRitsman]

I don't even like calling it "faux heritage". It is just another style. Much of what we consider "heritage" today was a neo-classical style, copying roman era architecture. That's not called "faux classical".

Assuming it's done right, and not with styrofoam and precast panels, it's just neo-victorian.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I don't even like calling it "faux heritage". It is just another style. Much of what we consider "heritage" today was a neo-classical style, copying roman era architecture. That's not called "faux classical".

Assuming it's done right, and not with styrofoam and precast panels, it's just neo-victorian.

Exactly.

[RealtorMarc]

Not gonna lie, I'm super hyped about this project!

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by lachlanholmes

I enjoy that while there are two LRT tracks in the rendering, traffic has been left as one-way westbound. I predict there will be no accidents whatsoever with such a flawless implementation of modern road design!

to be fair that condition exists in Toronto. Adelaide has some long decommissioned tracks running down the middle of it with bi-directional tracks on a road that has been 1-way since the 1950's. The tracks aren't that old either, even if they are very old. It means at one point the TTC decided to build tracks for streetcars to go the wrong way down a one-way.

[davidcappi]

I definitely do not get King Portland Centre from this at all lol - that building uses red brick but in a modern way that is complementary to its historic neighbours, but it doesn't imitate them.




This is also KNYMH who brought us such beauties as The Royal Connaught and AquaBlu in Grimsby - not exactly the most stellar portfolio. I'm happy to be proven wrong, but I still think it looks silly. I'm not against the look I just think if you're going to commit to the fake heritage building podium motif it has to be really really good.

This is an example on Dundas West that I do not hate (don't love it either, but I hate it less than what I am seeing at 206 king)



I'm happy that this project is moving forward in some capacity but it really feels like (with maybe, the exception of the new Mac residence) that this entire area is being infilled with duds.

[lachlanholmes]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

to be fair that condition exists in Toronto. Adelaide has some long decommissioned tracks running down the middle of it with bi-directional tracks on a road that has been 1-way since the 1950's. The tracks aren't that old either, even if they are very old. It means at one point the TTC decided to build tracks for streetcars to go the wrong way down a one-way.

Really? That’s… interesting. I’ve noticed some of those tracks before, but always figured that they must just be leftovers from whenever the street was converted. Very interesting that they’d spend the money rebuilding them in the wrong direction… unless they had the inclination that they’d one day be reverted back to two-way?

[TheHonestMaple]

I mean it obviously doesn't look exactly like the King Portland centre, but it shares a similar theme. Red brick podium with a modern tower on top, and it's a very similar height. As someone who used to live just steps from King Portland, I can tell you that height and the podium worked extremely well together and resulted in a welcoming presence from street level. Your example on Dundas West is much closer, I agree. Which development is that exactly?

In my opinion, we have a winner with 206 King and it's loads better than any of the Vranic specials we have in the area.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

I'm happy to be proven wrong, but I still think it looks silly. I'm not against the look I just think if you're going to commit to the fake heritage building podium motif it has to be really really good.

We can agree on this at least - and the city generally agrees with this as well - if you can't do it right then don't do heritage - or neo-victorian - since as was said it's just a style in the end.

I just tire of ikea-like building projects - I want class over glass. I want fancy brickwork nice windows stamped metal and stone where appropriate mixed in with the glasswork (and anyone that claims that we don't have the skilled tradesmen to do fancy brickwork is a moron, it's not rocket science, it really really isn't.)

I'll always refer to the courthouse downtown -0 the most perfect example of combined old and new. OI really think that should be hamiultons thing - incorporate the history of hamiltons styles with the newness of modern. Best of both worlds.

In most parts of the city it's like fine, do whatever, but there are certain areas of the city, like the core for example, that merit a little bit of upped class. Imo noone ever looks above 4-6 floors from street level so the podium area is the most important streetscape wise - it's only from far away that anyone notices the towers. So heritage bottom to fit in with this historic street, and modern on top, I am totally fine with, but like was said, if you're gonna make it historic, make it look GOOD. Like, william thomas building good. (well without raping the middle pediments because you were too lazy to make different sized pediments, lazy buggers)

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

I'll always refer to the courthouse downtown -0 the most perfect example of combined old and new. OI really think that should be hamiultons thing - incorporate the history of hamiltons styles with the newness of modern. Best of both worlds.

Templar Flats is, to me, the perfect example of how to make a new build fit in with older buildings (the brand new section of that development, I mean... they did well renovating the flanks but the new part is really well done) Core Urban knocked that one out of the park. Imagine something like that on a larger scale... which is why I await their bigger (for them) projects on Augusta and James S. with great anticipation.

Maybe they should market themselves as the podium people: "We will take care of the street level and first few floors... do whatever the eff you want above that!"

[atnor]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I don't even like calling it "faux heritage". It is just another style. Much of what we consider "heritage" today was a neo-classical style, copying roman era architecture. That's not called "faux classical".

Assuming it's done right, and not with styrofoam and precast panels, it's just neo-victorian.

Agreed, hopefully proper materials are used and they don’t use cheap lego looking precast like the Connaught or the building across from Bella Towers.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Templar Flats is, to me, the perfect example of how to make a new build fit in with older buildings (the brand new section of that development, I mean... they did well renovating the flanks but the new part is really well done) Core Urban knocked that one out of the park. Imagine something like that on a larger scale... which is why I await their bigger (for them) projects on Augusta and James S. with great anticipation.

Maybe they should market themselves as the podium people: "We will take care of the street level and first few floors... do whatever the eff you want above that!"

I couldn't agree more! Perhaps someone should propose that to them to combine their skills with condos - they make the condo at top and core urban designs the streetscape. Then the core can retain a heritage streetscape feel while the top can be all tall glittery buildings and literally EVERYBODY is happy.

Templar flats was very nice - however a lot of what made it nice was already there - for example if they had had to fill in 3 plots would it have been as nice? The fully stone exterior of the middle building with glass on top is nice but imo its made better by the 2 heritage buildings on either side - would they have been able to have it look as nice if they had had to do 3 buildings at once? I am not so sure...

Those buildings were beautiful as they were - and a lot of hamiltons beauty is due to previous architects, not current ones. The courthouse and this area both being prime examples. Not to say templar flats isn't awesome - it is - but its made awesome because of its surroundings imo. When it comes to them re-utilizing what is already there they are peered only probably by liuna imo, and maybe even surpass them.

Of course, other buildings like the lister annex were made worse by their surroundings - I am obv not putting core urban down - but we are just STARTING to see what they are capable of when it comes to actually building something that is both neo victorian AND new - and thats happening farther up james.

I really want to see what new awesomeness they can provide, but I hope they don't strip too much of the craftsmanship out - I feel like they are trying to run a fine line between heritage and still "generic modern" - its one reason I was a bit disappointed with their plain mullions on their new designs, esp that new one they plan to build on the corner - perfect example for some stamped metal like on the courthouse.

I just don't want everyone to think that any sort of old world craftsmanship charm is somehow indicative of a disneyland faux heritage feel - we still need that sorta stuff to give our city character, providing the architects actually know how to deliver it properly, and authentically.

[TheHonestMaple]

They've installed plywood hoarding around the perimeter of the existing building. I'm guessing advertising will go up soon.

[Hawrylyshyn]

That's exciting! I'm really looking forward to this one going up

[TheRitsman]

I'm surprised they were doing work today, but it looks like they were installing the advertising. Looks like they were trying to have it up for Monday.

[TheRitsman]

Figured I'd snap a pic before it's graffitied: