Cobalt Luxury Residences On King | 97.5 & 97.5m | 2 x 30 fl | Complete

[ScreamingViking]

Shared the wider angle on the Canada forum. Because it should be!

[TheHonestMaple]

One thing I have noticed is that the entrances on King William don't really seem like restaurant entrances, if that makes sense? No vestibules, and just single doors. Do we know for sure that those are even commercial units? I was really hoping that those units would be restaurants and bars, but we haven't heard anything about that yet.

[TheRitsman]

My only further critique of the podium besides the craftsmanship is the first floor entryways to the commercial space. Not only does the first floor lack the articulations of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor, but the doors all seem to be single doors, which is odd considering the plan in majority of the renders was to have restaurants fill these spaces, and the single doors create this lack of clarity for the entry for the commercial spaces. Beyond that, this is overall a decent build, especially considering it's G&C but I still shiver at the lack of care toward the lintels and cornices where it seems the workers didn't use a measuring tape to ensure the pieces were cut evenly.

[Innsertnamehere]

it's zoned for 30 and is a largish lot so will more than likely be 30 whenever it is developed. Not sure who owns it right now however - that information would be a good indicator of what to expect in terms of development timelines.

From what I recall it's one of a bunch of lots owned by one of the DeSantis brothers - not sure which one though. Neither of which have really done high density development yet, either.

[thmx]

8/13/2023 by Joe, on Flickr


8/13/2023 by Joe, on Flickr

[King&James]

From UT photo post by RitsmaCW, the south wall facing Gore Park does not look like the render above, red brick (adjacent the Olympia project) and a continuous cornice. Looking forward to the unveiling.

[TheHonestMaple]

The King Street side looks identical to the King William side. There is no difference at all.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

The King Street side looks identical to the King William side. There is no difference at all.

I think the balconies are on the corner of it so it may look slightly different because they are open on the corner I think - but yeah design wise it's probably exactly the same - mirrored front to back. I wonder if they actually took peoples opinions to heart since the podium design changed SO MANY TIMES. I know I personally reached out to them and told them my thoughts.

[urban_planner]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

I think the balconies are on the corner of it so it may look slightly different because they are open on the corner I think - but yeah design wise it's probably exactly the same - mirrored front to back. I wonder if they actually took peoples opinions to heart since the podium design changed SO MANY TIMES. I know I personally reached out to them and told them my thoughts.

If so I hope lots of people.told them to light the top.

[TheHonestMaple]

I do agree with Ritsman somewhat, i'm starting to get disneyland vibes with this one - because the design is so similar on all three sides. I hope that changes when landscaping, lighting and of course the restaurants/bars go in.

[ScreamingViking]

Went to The French yesterday evening and walked past this... what a difference! Even with it still being incomplete. My companion remarked that the street feels like the Esplanade in Toronto, and she's not wrong IMO.

Parked the car on Catharine next to the "park". No difference palpable yet, but I hope to see one emerge in the coming years!

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Went to The French yesterday evening and walked past this... what a difference! Even with it still being incomplete. My companion remarked that the street feels like the Esplanade in Toronto, and she's not wrong IMO.

Parked the car on Catharine next to the "park". No difference palpable yet, but I hope to see one emerge in the coming years!

I really hope they put some sort of awning over those vent grates above the windows though because it looks extremely bare and odd looking esp with the vents at the top of the windows - an awning along that part would look excellent.

The picture previews up top look like they actually show black awnings covering this area so one can hope - and if they do so I will applaud them for having incorporated ventilation into the design that is hidden and thus does not detract from the design

[thmx]

8/28/2023 by Joe, on Flickr

[Chronamut]

That "park" is in some desperate need of some huge mature gage park-esque trees.

I see the old windsor hotel is still fenced off

[TheRitsman]

[Chronamut]

Much better than any of us could have hoped for, although the corner balconies is still a bit.. odd in this location, esp since they are nowhere else like this on the build.

Maybe they saw us all making fun of the other design renders..

..still, itll be a cool place to sit out of and watch things, although I still cannot recall what the 2nd to 4th floor (3rd to 5th? I can't tell if the first floor is actually 2 stories or not..) are being used for in the podium..

is the part under the elevator thingie going to be white as well? Like will this be one block that stretches all around? I can't tell with it being there.. it would look better if all the white was uniform..

..still think the white blocks look a bit too cinderblocky though.. hopefully age will make them look a bit more natural - I get they were trying to go for a pre-confederation stone look. I do like the subtle bevels around the windos and such - lots of subtle impressions.

[Davis137]

We are not allowed to have such nice things in Ottawa. We get buildings that look like these 2 in renderings and proposals, and then they turn into cold-war era looking monoliths with one or 2 types of exterior cladding or colour...

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Davis137

We are not allowed to have such nice things in Ottawa. We get buildings that look like these 2 in renderings and proposals, and then they turn into cold-war era looking monoliths with one or 2 types of exterior cladding or colour...

Well here in hamilton literally everything has to be rectangles. All the time. Unless you're core urban, and then maaaybe you may get some arches and cornices lol..

I've dubbed it, blockitecture, oh and throw as many different finishes on it for "interest" instead of actually designing a harmonious looking building for the most part for a lot of our builds, and don't forget precast! So much precast we sadly get excited when anyone uses ACTUAL real brick and stone, or at least composite concrete or whatever..

oh and lots of picture frame jutouts, and windows staggered in weird ways - and black vinyl to cover up all concrete and undesirables lol..

also the cinderblock looking cornices on this build are just killing my soul..

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Davis137

We are not allowed to have such nice things in Ottawa. We get buildings that look like these 2 in renderings and proposals, and then they turn into cold-war era looking monoliths with one or 2 types of exterior cladding or colour...

Often the case here. Things seem to be evolving toward the better, but opinions differ widely.

We have one local developer (Core Urban, mentioned previously) that has done a magnificent job with many small-ish projects, and lately they've been moving toward larger ones in Hamilton. They'd do well in many cities but I don't think they're big enough yet, nor do I know whether that's in their plan.

[TheHonestMaple]

Taken today.