[MattPT]

I know this has already been mentioned over the years, but do balconies add substantial cost to overall construction costs? How come we don’t see more buildings like Mayfair south in downtown. Seems like without balconies you could focus on nicer finishing? But no balconies probably not enough savings where concrete construction becomes possible. Is it just because they’re too much of a perceived benefit to a potential renter to leave out?

 

[IanO]

Not a substantial material cost overall for wood buildings (concrete is another discussion), more time and logistics to tie them in than anything, but the VAST majority of multi-family dwellers consider a balcony or 'outdoor space' as a top priority, even though usage rates clearly indicate otherwise. I suggest that it is mind over matter, given that folks perceive the need, but in reality rooftop social spaces with lounges, Bbqs, kitchens etc. are much better options and/or simply heading down for a walk to the park or patio.

 

[ADob]

We definitely use our balconies (we have two) less than we thought we would, but I do grow tomatoes and greens on one, and have been making a concerted effort to sit and read there in the summer. I might not use it much, but I would definitely not have bought our place if it didn't have at least one balcony. Patios and rooftops are nice to have (and we have a great patio in our revamped party space) but there's just something great about grabbing a morning cup of coffee and heading "outside" in one's bathrobe.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

Not a substantial material cost overall for wood buildings (concrete is another discussion), more time and logistics to tie them in than anything, but the VAST majority of multi-family dwellers consider a balcony or 'outdoor space' as a top priority, even though usage rates clearly indicate otherwise. I suggest that it is mind over matter, given that folks perceive the need, but in reality rooftop social spaces with lounges, Bbqs, kitchens etc. are much better options and/or simply heading down for a walk to the park or patio.

They are the condo/apartment equivalent of single family home 2 car garages. It's a place to store our crap that we never use for its intended purpose but we feel we desperately need.

 

[Markyeg]

They are the condo/apartment equivalent of single family home 2 car garages. It's a place to store our crap that we never use for its intended purpose but we feel we desperately need.

Obviously YMMV but some condo boards won’t even allow people to store crap on their balconies that aren’t “patio furniture” so 99% just sit empty. In my previous condo it was one of their bylaws.

 

[ADob]

It definitely is in ours. You can obviously have patio furniture, BBQs, planters, but no storage, no off-season tires, no garbage bags. I suppose if you had a nice trunk or tiny shed it would be ok, but our board really doesn't want our place to look unkempt.

 

[David A]

A friend of mine likes to bbq regularly, so it having a balcony was important. However, it helps to get the size right. Often the biggest ones are empty or under used, you don't really need a huge space but they can be nice to have.

 

[mcr]

Hope we see the brickwork & cladding go up soon, eager to see how it translates to real life from the renders. The quality of the finish materials will make a big difference on this one

 

[strata]

 

[mcr]

When should we be seeing cladding go up on this one, @IanO?

 

[CplKlinger]

When should we be seeing cladding go up on this one, @IanO?

Now, apparently!

 

[constance_chlore]

From on the Encore Tower:

 

[Agard]

Seems to be a slightly inaccurate render, why aren't Westrich proud of their decision to swap out the black framed windows for white framed ones?

 

[Surrealplaces]

Is this the first multifamily development in a Canadian downtown with no formal parking in a long time? I'm not too sure if other cities have abolished mandatory parking minimums in their downtown core and if developers have taken advantage of that.

Calgary has developed a few downtown developments with zero parking in recent years. N3 in East Village, AHC, AHC II, and Legacy 933. There's also a no parking development in Kensington (Sunnyside Triangle) that is starting construction this month.

Calgary still hasn't abolished parking minimums unfortunately, but they've relaxed minimums or allowed zero parkign on a case by case basis. For for example another Kensington development (Kit at Kensington) has some parking but only one level deep and less than half the normal number mandatory stalls.

 

[archited]

Hopefully one of you brain trusts can change the material palette to 2 or less materials.