[CplKlinger]

Doesn't look that promising for any ground level new trees in the plaza unless they plan to bust up some of the recently poured concrete.

Because the second level outdoor plaza has been scaled back significantly, the ground floor plaza space is a lot bigger and will need something.
View attachment 672456

This is what their project website shows:

 

[kcantor]

I’ll admit to having some pretty strong opinions on things and don’t hesitate to criticize but FFS this building replaced a surface parking lot less than a block from city hall…

As for comparing it to some of the original renderings, it’s still probably an 8 out of 10 and compared to our new library it’s probably a 28 out of 10.

 

[David A]

Yes pictures often have wonderful landscaping, but I am not so upset if reality does not always match that, as it is something that can be be more easily changed or or improved in the future.

I agree, one less parking lot in the core of downtown, replaced with an architecturally very nice building. So I count that as a win win.

 

[Out of Towner]

I’ll admit to having some pretty strong opinions on things and don’t hesitate to criticize but FFS this building replaced a surface parking less than a block from city hall…

As for comparing it to some of the original renderings, it’s still probably an 8 out of 10 and compared to our new library it’s probably a 28 out of 10.

The library and this building are about two different things. The architecture of this building was top notch but had to be scaled back - presumably over money. The library was an architectural abomination from day one - no amount of money could help that thing.

 

[David A]

The library and this building are about two different things. The architecture of this building was top notch but had to be scaled back - presumably over money. The library was an architectural abomination from day one - no amount of money could help that thing.

Sort of. The library had to be scaled back due to money too, but I agree the concept was weak to begin with. Doing it on the cheap just made it very obvious and even worse.

 

[TAS]

This is what their project website shows:
View attachment 672640

Yes, this image most accurately reflects the design of this beautiful building and although no signs of it yet, hopefully the outdoor space, which can add significantly to the vibrancy of a street, will also be an 8 out of 10 for what's depicted in the render.

While we can't afford to replace most of our smaller parking lots with a $118 million building of mostly public money, it's certainly a win when we get a few like this and the downtown park for $45 million.

 

[David A]

Yes, this image most accurately reflects the design of this beautiful building and although no signs of it yet, hopefully the outdoor space, which can add significantly to the vibrancy of a street, will also be an 8 out of 10 for what's depicted in the render.

While we can't afford to replace most of our smaller parking lots with a $118 million building of mostly public money, it's certainly a win when we get a few like this and the downtown park for $45 million.

I agree it should not be up to governments to build something on every downtown surface parking lot, much of the effort will have to come from the private sector.

It is up governments, the city in particular, to make downtown vibrancy and safety more of a priority so that can happen.

 

[TAS]

As usual, in person is much better. But from a block south on 97st looking back, this building looks great.

 

[Out of Towner]

As usual, in person is much better. But from a block south on 97st looking back, this building looks great.

View attachment 672796

The building raises the appearance of the entire street and is a good anchor for cleaning up Boyle if a new forward thinking city council offered developers an incentive to build mid rise housing in a walkable up scale community.

 

[an_edmontonian]

Obviously a massive improvement for this intersection. Does need some landscaping however.

 

[IanO]

 

[Out of Towner]

Downtown Edmonton traffic lights and signage hanging from a wire and violating the appearance of Winspear. Even the street lights are junky. Criminal if that stuff isn't upgraded to something from the 21 century.

 

[archited]

It would be great to see an upscale eatery on the ground floor

 

[EdmTrekker]

It would be great to see an upscale eatery on the ground floor

Locally owned coffee house would actually turn a profit. Upscale resto never.

 

[bodsbods9090]

View attachment 674718

Yeah, it doesn't make sense that these traffic lights look like that at this intersection unless it's a high load corridor.