SEA ~ South Lake Union

[mSeattle]

That would be cool variety, Bond. Where exactly would it fit in SLU, or are you saying such designs would pop up here and there not en mass?

[James Bond Agent 007]

^
Hmmm. I was thinking of making the whole area look like that. But they would have to realign all the streets, make all the parcels smaller, re-write the zoning code - basically start all over again.

But it's fun to fantasize!

[James Bond Agent 007]

Actually, with the magic of Windows Live Local, we can see firsthand: Why South Lake Union Will Never Look Like Stuttgart (or any similar German city).

Answer: The blocks are too small.

South Lake Union


Stuttgart


Far-away of the same area


If they consolidated blocks in South Lake Union (about every 2 or 4), they *might* be able to get the pattern you see in these pictures of Stuttgart - though they might also have to split up parcels (or write a zoning code to force developers to make single projects "look" like several smaller ones).

There could be hope for Bellevue, but alas, while Bellevue has big blocks, it also has big parcels.

To get an urban "texture" like this, you'd need big blocks, but small parcels.

Sorry for the thread diversion.

[herb]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

Rollin Street (from DJC Feb.15.07)


This project appears to be getting blander in each new rendering.

I knew it! I was looking at an older rendering not too long ago and thinking "hey, I kinda like this building, can't imagine it's actually going to look like that."

I've notice a trend lately where the initial renderings feature colors and contrast but the actual building always looks like it's made of oatmeal and wet concrete, and that's when the sun is out. With the winter gloom these buildings look downright oppressive.

The Cosmopolitan is a good example. The renderings and even the sales center floor model show a white building with green windows and gold yellow trim. They even started painting it white, then at the last minute... Up close and in the right light it's not that bad, but from any distance it just mushes into all the other beige buildings in that area.

[mSeattle]

Its to neutralize the people.

[mhays]

Don't get me started! One of the worst examples is the Olympus Apartments near where I live. Their renderings were colorful. The actual buildings are shades of gray. It's freaking hideous. And right next to the Sculpture Park.

It's almost as bad as Klee Lofts, which I've been looking at daily since it was built. The eastern elevation of that is possibly the ugliest building in Seattle. Giant blank walls of various ugly gray colors. Naturally it got a great architectural review in the paper. Proof that much of the architecture community wouldn't know aesthetics if it bit them in the ass.

Didn't I tell you not to get me started?

[mSeattle]

Mirabella is raising the second crane this afternoon.

[zilfondel]

Interesting you put up those pics comparing SLU and Germany. One interesting thing people do is to compare (sorry for the plug here) Portland to Europe because we have "small European city blocks." However, having been to Europe, that is complete bull, as you can see from above, Europe typically has LARGER blocks, but narrower streets that are lined with 4-5 story buildings.

Smaller blocks actually are better for driving than walking, as you get more on-street parking spaces and can park in front of virtually any building.

[PacificNW]

↑zilfondel......not always. I have lived in Europe and there are many cities with smaller blocks than what were shown above...even Germany. You are correct about "narrower" streets. I do think the comparison of PDX to European cities does apply to these narrower streets. I think these streets create that intimate feeling of downtown Portland.

[mSeattle]

Snapped these of the Mirabella site the other day.

[mSeattle]

The DJC has another rendering of the new park u/c in SLU.

Work starts on Lake Union Park
http://www.djc.com/news/co/11186845.html


Rendering courtesy of Seattle Parks Foundation

Construction has started on the first phase of Lake Union's new 12-acre park.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by herb

I knew it! I was looking at an older rendering not too long ago and thinking "hey, I kinda like this building, can't imagine it's actually going to look like that."

I've notice a trend lately where the initial renderings feature colors and contrast but the actual building always looks like it's made of oatmeal and wet concrete, and that's when the sun is out. With the winter gloom these buildings look downright oppressive.

The renderings are done before the construction budget - and during DRB - everyone falls in love with the rendering then as drawings get more complete the project is bid out and it is time to start the VE process - happens every time - the renderings are pretty much fairytales

[mSeattle]

Scrimping developers/investors?

[mhays]

Trying to make projects pencil out.

But when they're going to paint something, why not choose friggin colors instead of gray?! The cost isn't that much different and the result can be night vs. day.

[herb]

Originally Posted by mhays

Trying to make projects pencil out.

But when they're going to paint something, why not choose friggin colors instead of gray?! The cost isn't that much different and the result can be night vs. day.

Yeah, this one has me baffled. Anyone who has done any oil/acrylic painting will no doubt recognize these various muds and grays. They are the result of mixing complementary or near complementary colors; usually by mistake or when all the colors come together just before going down the drain. There is not much use for them; real mud, rocks, and winter skies are much more vibrant by comparison.

My theory has been that paint manufacturers take excess, returns, botched batches, and whatever else isn't moving, mix it all together and sell it at discount. Market it as neutral or "natural" maybe. I really want to believe this; that there is some economic rational at work here. The thought of someone intentionally creating these "colors" is depressing enough, but when I consider people might actually prefer them my soul makes a little shriveling whimpering type sound.

[NW Mike]

Some info on Enso,
Sellen is hard at work getting the site ready for excavation. The first step is installing piles along the perimeter of the site. The pilings will provide support for the underground parking garage and the building structure. In an effort to being polite to neighbors, they are drilling for the pilings and then placing them in the ground, rather than driving the pilings.So I would imagine Enso being built in one phase rather than two. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

[Seasun]

Originally Posted by Seasun

Rollin Street site - vacant buildings - maybe close to demolition?

I drove by the Rollin Street Loft site yesterday and the old buildings in this picture have recently been demolished. Between Enso (2201), Rollin and the streetcar construction not to mention nearby Block 40 (Group Health) and Weber+Thompson projects - it's kind of a "war-zone" near Westlake and Denny!

[seaskyfan]

^ I was down there today - war zone is a great description.

I took a walk around neighborhood - things really seem to be coming together east of Fairview and it was great to see some streetcar track down.

[mSeattle]

Something's U/C at the intersection of Fairview and Mercer. Also something else is u/c between there and Mirabella. Anyone know what projects these are?

[mhays]

Fairview and Mercer is a small biotech building. The other project on Fairview is probably the streetcar maintenance facility.