Saskatoon Construction III

[saskatoonborn]

I like it as a building. I don't agree with proposing the(very likely) new tallest building outside of downtown. Something so massive seems out of place for the area and the city in general considering our downtown is half parking lots. I mean if Saskatoon was running out of space and there were buildings maxing out on height due to proximity to the airport then sure but, and it's a massive but, that is not the case.

I was in support of the Urban Capitals building at 17 stories only a little taller than a building across the street. But this is almost twice as tall, I like the proposal just not the location.

[canuck10]

Originally Posted by saskatoonborn

I was in support of the Urban Capitals building at 17 stories only a little taller than a building across the street. But this is almost twice as tall, I like the proposal just not the location.

I respect your opinions but I don't understand how you could support the location of Highpoint, but not support this location. Based on your comments, I could understand not supporting the scale of this development but I cannot understand why you wouldn't support the location???

[saskatoonborn]

Originally Posted by canuck10

I respect your opinions but I don't understand how you could support the location of Highpoint, but not support this location. Based on your comments, I could understand not supporting the scale of this development but I cannot understand why you wouldn't support the location???

Sorry, to clarify its that scale at that location. If it were, say, a 45 to maybe 60ish meter buildiing sure. But the renders are proposing 104m from what I can make out. To me if they are going to do that, why not just build it in Stonebridge where the lands cheap like the WTC (sarcastic dig)? Either way all I can really do is think its dumb and post that here. I am no longer living in that area of the city and don't have much of a stake in it anymore.

On the bright side if it happens it would be Saskatoons and Saskatchewans first to reach 100m.

[Crisis]

Today's Star Phoenix has the first media coverage that I can recall seeing about this project, which seems a bit surprising.

https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/thirty-storey-tower-proposed-for-nutana

Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block’s first words when she was asked Wednesday about a 30-storey residential and commercial tower proposed for Saskatoon’s Nutana neighourhood were “It’s bold.”

If it gets built, aotb architecture + interior design’s development on lots at 555 Eastlake Ave. and 430 12th St. E. would be Saskatchewan’s tallest building, dwarfing the Nutrien Tower recently completed at River Landing.

While Block said she’s “concerned” by the size of the proposed building, she appreciated aodbt’s efforts to create “a community amenity.”

She said walking paths accessible from the street and green spaces occupying some of the higher portions of the building were elements that left her “impressed and intrigued” and she looks forward to hearing more from people in her ward, city staff and aodbt as the re-zoning application moves forward.

Nancy-Jean Taylor said she is still getting over her shock at seeing an artist’s rendering of the proposed structure.

“It seems like Broadway is becoming downtown,” she said of the image, which was included in materials circulated to area residents in advance of an online public information session set for May 11.

Taylor said she and her husband chose their home near the proposed development because of the neighbourhood’s “small-town” feel. They’ve been dismayed to see recent developments of a nine-storey tower at 880 Broadway Ave. and a 15-storey development at the corner of Main Street and Dufferin Avenue.

She fears the proliferation of highrises risks “taking the ‘residential’ feel out of the community, and then it becomes ‘commercial,’ ” she said, adding that she plans to make sure her voice is heard during the re-zoning application process, but she doesn’t think council will be able to resist approving another large development in the area.

The information session is part of the public engagement stage of a re-zoning application aotb filed with the city on behalf of S.S. Pacific Imports Inc.

Once public engagement is complete, city staff in the planning and development department will prepare a report with a recommendation on whether to approve or deny the application. That report then heads to the municipal planning commission, which adds its advice before sending it for a vote at city council.

A representative from aodbt could not be reached for comment.

[FarmerHaight]

Depending on where the centre of downtown is deemed to be (my vote is 21st and 3rd), this building is closer than the apartments along Kinsmen Park to the CBD's "core". And if something of this scale was proposed between 25th and Queen, would anyone complain?

I understand that Nutana has not historically had a lot of tall buildings, but it has quite a few mid-rise apartments so height is not completely out of place. Nutana's proximity to downtown and Broadway makes it the perfect candidate for a residential high-rise neighbourhood. Business and office buildings need customers and employees, and the aging infrastructure in Nutana sure could use a larger tax base to justify rehabilitation. I live in Vancouver, and surrounding the CBD we have the West End, Coal Harbour, Olympic Village, etc. All primarily residential high-rise neighbourhoods. Although Saskatoon does have a number of surface parking lots that would be prime locations for tall towers, I would rather see office towers or hotels in the CBD instead of residential.

In addition, if Saskatoon wants to ease congestion, building tall in Nutana is the perfect solution. Anyone living in Nutana but working downtown can easily walk or ride a bike to work. I lived at 11th and McPherson and it took me 20 minutes to walk to work at 20th and 4th. That sort of convenience should not be reserved for the lucky few who can afford to buy or rent a SFH in the neighbourhood.

[roryn1]

The center downtown core would be the most population dense block of the city would it not? In that case it is 25th/5th by a long shot. Or are we going by empty commercial buildings lol. I love this question as downtown’s city councillor loves the pretty buildings at River Landing and thinks about it in the same way you do - but the most population dense / taxpaying dense portion of downtown is 25th/5th. Over $3M in taxes are paid in that block, vs idk like nothing on the other blocks lol. And literally all staff at the new River Landing towers are hybrid - going in 1-2 times per week.

[Stormer]

We all love tall buildings but this seems excessive for that location.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by roryn1

The center downtown core would be the most population dense block of the city would it not? In that case it is 25th/5th by a long shot. Or are we going by empty commercial buildings lol. I love this question as downtown’s city councillor loves the pretty buildings at River Landing and thinks about it in the same way you do - but the most population dense / taxpaying dense portion of downtown is 25th/5th. Over $3M in taxes are paid in that block, vs idk like nothing on the other blocks lol. And literally all staff at the new River Landing towers are hybrid - going in 1-2 times per week.

But isn't 25th and 5th almost entirely residential? I was thinking more the centre of where the most downtown destinations are. 21st and 3rd is between the Bess where lots of summer events are held, Midtown which is a significant DT draw, Scotiabank Theatre, TCU place, city hall, some of the larger office buildings, and a number of restaurants.

I would agree that River Landing is not the focal point of downtown, even if it's a shiny new development. However, you could see this proposal nicely serving the two River Landing office towers plus any future developments by the Farmer's Market or on the vacant lot behind the theatre.

My point is this residential tower would be in close proximity to a lot of workplaces, shopping destinations, and public amenities, and that justifies dense development.

[prairieguy]

I may go to the public meeting just for the entertainment value. I hope the developers have a sense of what they will be walking in to!!! I have attended most of the public meetings for Nutana and Varsity View in the last 3-5 years as I live in the area, and I can speak from personal experience they are DOMINATED by the well organised Nimbys. I spoke out at one of the meetings in favour of the development and felt very much personally attacked by the response of the gathering. They better have a good facilitator/meeting manager.

With respect to the actual development, I am undecided....on location and design. Isn't the Sasktel or Power building lot by the Farmers Market suppose to be sold for high density high rise? That might be a great location? I don't mind the staggered floor design, but the cladding does emote Baydo influence....could be improved. Nice to see the incorporation of "green roofs" on some levels.

Honestly....I will be very surprised if this gets built as is and at this location.

Excited about Meridians Knox project getting a green light to go ahead.

[canuck10]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I may go to the public meeting just for the entertainment value.

The public meeting on this one is virtual (online). That may reduce the intimidation factor.

[jrochest]

This is doomed -- as it should be. It's not an ugly building, and it would work really well in downtown (opposite the Bes, or in the parking lot on 20th and 4th, or anywhere towards River Landing).

Although Nutana has quite a few 10-15 story towers, this is twice the size, as someone has already said -- AND it's on a historically fragile slope, and it's right beside two very expensive, very well organized condos. People who have spent 800K on a 1200 sq ft condo in Bridgewater or RiverWalk will NOT give up their light, peace and privacy without a really horrible three-cats-in-a-sack-level fight.

The architecture firm is great, and they do really nice work. Something in the 10-15 story range would probably get through -- if the river bank is stable enough, and that's a big if. But this is doomed right out of the gate.

Also, what's the price point of these? Are they condos? There are SO many unsold river view condos in the neighbourhood that it will be a decade before they sell them all if they add another 210.

[zeebra]

Large buildings like this are better for the river bank. Foundations will be well below the plane where the slope "slips" and cause a slide into the river.

[asdfgh]

Originally Posted by jrochest

Also, what's the price point of these? Are they condos? There are SO many unsold river view condos in the neighbourhood that it will be a decade before they sell them all if they add another 210.

Where are you seeing unsold river view condos in Nutana? Or what do consider SO many?

I just looked on realtor.ca and there are about 21 total river view condos for sale in the downtown area. Only 8 are in Nutana, 5 at River Landing, then a few near Bess and College Dr bridge.

[canuck10]

Originally Posted by jrochest

This is doomed -- as it should be. It's not an ugly building, and it would work really well in downtown (opposite the Bes, or in the parking lot on 20th and 4th, or anywhere towards River Landing).

Although Nutana has quite a few 10-15 story towers, this is twice the size, as someone has already said -- AND it's on a historically fragile slope, and it's right beside two very expensive, very well organized condos. People who have spent 800K on a 1200 sq ft condo in Bridgewater or RiverWalk will NOT give up their light, peace and privacy without a really horrible three-cats-in-a-sack-level fight.

The architecture firm is great, and they do really nice work. Something in the 10-15 story range would probably get through -- if the river bank is stable enough, and that's a big if. But this is doomed right out of the gate.

Also, what's the price point of these? Are they condos? There are SO many unsold river view condos in the neighbourhood that it will be a decade before they sell them all if they add another 210.

As others have pointed, riverbank stability should not be an issue. The project will require a geotechnical investigation for the design of the foundation. A building sitting on a pile foundation that is founded in the stable glacial till below the slip plane will be fine.

As far as the neighbouring condos are concerned it won't matter if the building is 10 storeys, 20 storeys or 30 storeys. They will not like it, no matter what the height is, but it is unlikely that their opposition will stop this project. The Riverfront condos owners at 902 Spadina argued against the Knox Tower development proposed by Meridian but their opposition seems to have carried no weight. And really when you think of it, if these projects could be cancelled because someone's view is spoiled there would be no high rise developments approved.

Having said that, I don't think there is much chance this will proceed unless they can get the price point quite a bit lower than Highpoint. The cancellation of Highpoint was blamed on Covid but it didn't sell simply because the price was too high for what you were getting. I also worry that the developer seems to have no experience. Maybe they will partner with someone who does.

[Saskabusher]

at least there's development news!

[canuck10]

The Star Phoenix posted a link to their article on the proposed high rise on Facebook. There are over 300 comments on the post that are all over the map of course. But what I find interesting is the distribution of the emojis related to the post which currently looks like this:

Likes: 223
Angry: 46
Wow: 30
Love: 13
HaHa: 10
Sad: 8

It would appear that a large majority is in favour.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/thestarphoenix/posts/5576436002385799

[cutchemist42]

Yeah I dont agree with anyone saying only downtown can be tall. From my experiences it's fine if downtown highrise blend into the residential areas that actually popular. Does anyone actually think Osborne Village sucks because it has fall buildings in basically the same location as this in Winnipeg?

[prairieguy]

I think another good example is Kensington in Calgary....directly across the bridge from downtown...has very much the same vibe as Broadway, but still manages to include some highrise options for people who want to live where the action is. I just had empty nest cousins in Calgary sell their suburban home for a condo in Kensington and they could not be happier!

[Larch]

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[Stormer]

I believe this sketch has heights along the left, but it is illegible.