Winnipeg | Osborne Village & Fort Rouge

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

That made no sense Cyro.

All projects have to be approved by the city, what makes no sense?

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Well, the city just made a developer on Maryland rip off the cladding it put up on its building, because it didn't meet standards. I am all for neighbourhoods having beautification standards, it's really common in the States. Unfortunate we even have to worry about it, but that's just the way it is here. Just like we have a BIZ, we can have a RIZ...

This discussion is not so much about standards, requirements, code, what's permitted or not, it was about personal preference. Something may look ugly when constructed in one persons opinion because they feel it may need more glass or brick, should of spent more money on the siding, etc. and the next person may be fine with it.

The structure is up to code and meets city standards. It just looks like crap to some? How can you argue about personal tastes in architecture and design with any sort of finality when it comes down to ones own personal taste?

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by Cyro

All projects have to be approved by the city, what makes no sense?

Saying that it has nothing to do with the discussion. City approving shitty building materials has everything to do with it. Most of these projects look like crap. Seems pretty clear to moi.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

City approving shitty building materials has everything to do with it. Most of these projects look like crap.

Take it up with the city then, be a harbinger of change, get down to city hall and voice your opinion. Increase the quality of the sub-standard materials your allowng developers to use in these projects. You can explain it and they may listen, no?

[Urban recluse]

Oh, so we are more than welcome to praise projects, but not rebuke them? I don't think so. Who do you think you are?

[biguc]

Anyway...

There's something perverse about throwing a masonry veneer on a stick frame building. It's not as though it's in keeping with Winnipeg's architectural vernacular, anyway. Historically, brick was expensive, and that's why it's rare as a residential building material here. Some of these new buildings are particularly ugly--that blue thing on Stradbrook is awful--but that's not something that arbitrarily assigning approved building materials will solve. If it's historical reverence we're looking for, these buildings should be clad in clapboard, if anything.

[buzzg]

Just about every apartment built in the 70s and 80s here is brick. Red or yellow.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Oh, so we are more than welcome to praise projects, but not rebuke them? I don't think so. Who do you think you are?

Enough already. I praise projects and I hate projects. Calm down. We're done with this line of discussion. It goes to PM from this point forward if you wish.

[Urban recluse]

Again, for cost purposes, the entire building does not need to be wrapped in brick, but at least half of the front elevation needs to be. Hell, use hardie board too, just no more of that crap that looks like drywall.

[borkborkbork]

It's not like "make it masonry" is going to result in a more attractive village, either:

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Again, for cost purposes, the entire building does not need to be wrapped in brick, but at least half of the front elevation needs to be.

ok done

[Urban recluse]

Lol. No stucco. Better designs.

[Wolf13]

While brick can be great, it isn't some silver bullet that transforms a project automatically. And metal or hardie cladding can be used effectively to achieve a variety of design flavours, not just "young and vibrant" as per the blue one.

It's a combination of what the market wants, what the developer can spend...

Some projects are generic and that's fine. Some are quite neat. We're experiencing growth, so hopefully these will raise rents and prices to the point where brick becomes an option again.

[bomberfan68]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Brick rather than stucco for example. no. If I reno or demo and build new on my own property, on let's say the prestigious Wellington Crescent Drive, who's going to tell me that the old structure, 100 year old brick mansion for example, can't be replaced with an ultra modern, white, stuccoed box? Take a drive in the area and see for yourself. You may go wow, that's so outta place with the surrounding homes but what can you do, nadda.

Should their be? You tell me. Comes down to personal choice. Impossible to dictate ones personal preferences on the rest of society, wouldn't you say? You like wood, I like brick? What you gonna do?

Interesting comment as I was just walking the dog down Wellington on the weekend and, while looking at all the new builds that have happened, had this exact thought. The post-fire build couldn't be more different. Same architect for the old home's restoration/addition and the new home.

http://www.mont-arc.com/projects/dis...llington-redux

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/102...3!4d-97.179219

It's actually quite striking when lit up at night and the tyndall stone is a nice contrast to the blue. Plus the three windows that seem like a tribute to the old home which had them. Maybe the owner's picked that cladding material for its fire retardant properties? If so, one would have to be a pretty nasty neighbour to complain about the esthetics after watching a family be displaced. Replacing the old home masonry chimneys and all would probably be well over 5 million. Hard to justify when the 10 mill chateau down the street still hasn't sold. Anyone with that money will build their own creation instead hence why those homes sell for way less than the cost to build them.

[borkborkbork]

Appears that the Stellas/Vitahealth parking lot is being redone and converted to a pay lot (repaved, light standard, pay kiosk).

I guess that the Zoo owners are trying to squeeze some money out of this lot suggests that their plan to turn that lot (and the one next to the beer vendor) into condos is well and truly dead...

[buzzg]

The dude openly admitted it was a "trophy property" for them. Aka, they're going to invest minimal amounts into the whole lot until in 10-15 years when it's really valuable they'll just sell it again.

[kalabaw]

Originally Posted by bicycles

247 River


373 River


234 Wellington


570 Stradbrook


369 Stradbrook


362/366 Wardlaw


378 Wardlaw


400 Wardlaw


All photos by me

I actually like these developments, especially the ones on Wellington and Wardlaw.

[EndoftheBeginning]

Final plans for corner of River and Nassau. Can't remember if I've seen this one posted. Basically a copy of Conrad House just to the east.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by kalabaw

I actually like these developments, especially the ones on Wellington and Wardlaw.

I agree on most except 373, it's bad. And as for Village Junction, sure hardiboard isn't the fanciest material, but I do have some appreciation that they were bold/having fun enough to put all that blue in. I like the pop of colour. Also, their sign is AWESOME.

Originally Posted by EndoftheBeginning

Final plans for corner of River and Nassau. Can't remember if I've seen this one posted. Basically a copy of Conrad House just to the east

Love it. Even though the balcony corners on Conrad House look a little out of place - it's a high-quality build and looks great. Really fits in the neighbourhood.

[buzzg]

So apparently Stella's put an offer in for the Black Rabbit space, but Basil (in all his glory, again) was very difficult to work with and wouldn't sign a lease of longer than 5 years. Why is beyond me, especially with a reputable company like Stella's. They really wanted the patio. Also, it's funny because that's the original location, but definitely the worst... sometimes you can taste the burning plastic in the air from the salon next door.