Great Canadian Skyline Thread II

[The Great Scaper]

Originally Posted by zoomer

Perhaps transportation challenges could be leveraged to further increase density and livability within the core?

Similar story here in Victoria, where I can't foresee light rail/rapid transit in the next decade - perhaps even two decades. In the meantime the main western suburb of Langford is beginning to build up and the City of Victoria (only one of 13 municipalities in greater Victoria with a small land area) now seems hellbent on solving the housing crisis and urban sprawl all by themselves. A missing middle initiative passed rezoning the entire city to sixplexes.

It's it possible that for smaller to mid sized cities that are better off not having rapid transit until they get closer to the one million mark in order to 'force' greater density, more 15 minute communities and self reliance/sustainability of suburbs? At some point it'll be necessary of course. Increased/improved movement of people, goods and services leads to economic growth, but does it create inefficiencies as well?

Thanks so much for sharing those photos Zoomer. They really do capture Victoria's growing density. As for a future LRT Line I agree unfortunately. With 13 Municipalities there seems to be no regional growth strategies or transportation strategies. I was quite amazed mind you that they managed to widen Douglas Street by one lane each way for bus lanes coming into and out of the city. In my view they really do need to put commuter rail on the old E&N rail corridor. I also feel they should amalgamate the municipalities.

[giallo]

The spine of Vancouver

[Denscity]

Yes and more rails along the waterfront.

[GreaterMontréal]

Montreal skyline reflecting on St Lawrence River by Dominic Labbe, sur Flickr


parc jean drapeau FAT BIKE by eva blue 07 by Montréal, sur Flickr

[Martin Mtl]

/\ Great shot !


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[The Great Scaper]

That's such a cool old building.

[zoomer]

Originally Posted by zoomer

Oh, that glass is looking awesome! Reminds me a bit of Telus sky in Calgary. Montreal is the best at dark glass buildings in the country, and together with Vancouver is the most thoughtful in terms of building placements on the site, and how they relate to other buildings around them. Awareness of and respect for context, surroundings and environment makes cities (and people!) better.

Funny enough, Toronto walking tour YouTuber Johnny Strides started off his live stream in front of this development on his visit to Montreal today.

• Video Link

[MolsonExport]

Man, how awesome is that Aldred building? Major Gotham vibes. I just love Place d'Armes. Neo Gothic Cathedral, the old great bank buildings of St. James Street, The Aldred and New York Life buildings, caleches,...what more could you ask for? The best urban square in Canada? Well, maybe Place Jacques Cartier is better.

[Martin Mtl]

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/Montreal/

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

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One of my favorite buildings in Canada.

[WhipperSnapper]

Curtain wall is more common than window wall in Montreal. I don't find new development particularly more thoughtful or aware of its surroundings unless its mandated. There are some truly heinous examples that won't be found anywhere else.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.4944784,-...26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-US

[Martin Mtl]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Curtain wall is more common than window wall in Montreal. I don't find new development particularly more thoughtful or aware of its surroundings unless its mandated. There are some truly heinous examples that won't be found anywhere else.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.4944784,-...26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-US

I kind of like that «  heinous » development that « won’t be found anywhere else (!?!) ». Yes the tower clashes with the restored grey stones, but it works as far as I’m concerned, I like the contrast and I find the tower quirky enough to be interesting.

[WhipperSnapper]

Umm. The heinous part was how the two neighbouring towers respect one another. I can't think of anything as shockingly bad between two new developments in Toronto.


As for the tower, I don't care for the tower. I wouldn't call it heinous. Much of that has to do with curtain wall glass. The facadectomies isn't terrible as far as turning 1850 masonry structures into facades for glass towers. There's an uninterrupted street front and some setback for the tower above. There's also similar material palette used for new additions to this podium base.

[giallo]

This part of the city is going through some pretty big changes right now, and is in the process of combining the downtown skyline to the burgeoning Fairview/Mount Pleasant one. With the new Broadway Plan allowing much higher densities, it'll be interesting to revisit this angle in a few years.

[craner]

I really like the quirky tower.

[TownGuy]

Me too. Love it actually.

[zoomer]

As mentioned before, this is actually a very strategic placement - I doubt it was haphazard. Yes it jarring, but visually compelling and not in a way that I want to throw up. If I stop and take a picture, think, reflect and ask ‘why’ then the architecture has made the city more interesting. The larger building is like a protective big brother, shielding the younger from the elements and providing contrasting wall/curtain to appreciate it. I bet the muted reflections of the light provide quite a cool perspective inside some of those units.

Edit - now I will admit if you have a unit whose only view looks out into that blank wall, then yah that sucks. But that’s your problem, not mine at street level

[O-tacular]

There’s something really organic and quirky about the interface of the two towers. Reminds me of NYC. I like it.

[Rico Rommheim]

Those towers have turned out pretty well indeed. Not a huge fan of the black blind wall, but it's not terrible.

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by giallo

The spine of Vancouver

Great shot. The Vancouver skyline is really nice.