Markyeg
Active Member
I don’t mind the render, just wish there were an additional few floors.
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- Thread starter IanO
- Start date
Garceyues
Active Member
I'm always pro replacing parking lots with buildings that promote densification, but I wish we had more going on in the downtown besides ~6-story builds.
BrettB
Active Member
I'm ok with the 6 storeys. He'll, Paris is a great city and there's nothing above 7-8 storeys there.
I do with more of those ground units in the render actually had their doors facing the street, townhome-style
I do with more of those ground units in the render actually had their doors facing the street, townhome-style
EdmTrekker
Senior Member
Agreed. The design does absolutely nothing to help create the feel of downtown or warehouse history. It looks cheap suburban.
northlands
Senior Member
Could it be better aesthetically? Yes.
But to be fair, what west of 104th development built in the past two decades has any sort of nod to the warehouse district in its architectural theming? I don't see any in the Parks, Norquest's Singhmar (and proposed career skills centre), Monaco I&II, Quest, Alex Decoteau Park, heck even the new O'Day Min Park doesn't really (and they even changed the name AWAY from warehouse park!). Ironically, the only one I can think of is The Legacy, particularly how their above ground parkade is built (with orange stucco...) to look like an old brick warehouse building, and it's an architectural war crime. That's really it.
Lets also not forget this is being built next to a giant shiny gold cube.
This post is sponsored by Westrich Pacific Corp's Internet Defense League.
But to be fair, what west of 104th development built in the past two decades has any sort of nod to the warehouse district in its architectural theming? I don't see any in the Parks, Norquest's Singhmar (and proposed career skills centre), Monaco I&II, Quest, Alex Decoteau Park, heck even the new O'Day Min Park doesn't really (and they even changed the name AWAY from warehouse park!). Ironically, the only one I can think of is The Legacy, particularly how their above ground parkade is built (with orange stucco...) to look like an old brick warehouse building, and it's an architectural war crime. That's really it.
Lets also not forget this is being built next to a giant shiny gold cube.
This post is sponsored by Westrich Pacific Corp's Internet Defense League.
David A
Senior Member
I agree completely, it seems to be a missed opportunity to build something very nice that would actually tie in with the warehouse district theme, or with so few left past 104 Street are we just giving up on that name now?
So, no character brick or historic looking facade, just a modern looking one in the current style that would fit in Windermere or anywhere else. It could end up the current version of Melrose Manor on 104 Street, a location where something better should have been built too. Not quite value engineered, but it looks like it will not live up the hyperbole attached to it either.
Out of Towner
Active Member
Setback and streetscape is good but the location is far from ideal. There are a number of light industrial type warehouses in area and it could take years - if ever - to transform into a residential area. The end result will likely be a contrasting development similar to ( different in scale) Rogers Place and the residential condos immediately to the west. Little continuity - anything and everything all over the place. This proposed project would be better suited to an area like Boyle where a uniform and organized district can be developed.
Avenuer
Senior Member
Are you thinking about the site north of 104 Ave on 113 St.? This building in this thread is on 106 St. just north of Jasper.
Out of Towner
Active Member
No. The contrast I referred to was Rogers Place and the condo complex that is immediately west of Rogers. 104 Avenue and 104 Street I believe is the address. I'm fully aware that the condo complex next to Rogers was there first, but the 106 Street building will be exhibit the same contrast to its surroundings is the point being made.
Avenuer
Senior Member
There won't be much of a contrast imo, the buildings on Jasper immediately south of the lot are between 2 and 13 floors, so it will not be out of place in terms of built form at all. Square 104 was way dfifferent, in that there was absolutely nothing around it to the north and east and a 6-lane arterial to the south. This is a way different situation.
Regardless, it's a another parking lot that will soon be developed to house over 150 people - what's not to like? Downtown needs as many residents as possible.
Out of Towner
Active Member
I don't think the building will stick out like a sore thumb because of its height but it is in a mixed use commercial area with siding that has a residential flavor to it. Calgary recently developed the University district and it's going strong with projects similar to the one Westrich is advancing on 106 Street. Exactly why the City of Edmonton doesn't pivot from its failed small storefront idea for 96 Street to an urban residential street is unclear. There are probably some careers involved at city hall that want to keep flogging the dead horse on 96th but the street is unique, close to the river valley, downtown entertainment , and is perfect for residential development. Obviously there's a need for rebranding the area. Can't blame Westrich for choosing the location of their project because it's more than likely based on economics than anything else but if the City of Edmonton doesn't do more to incentive developers to participate in its plans, then revitalizing downtown one surface parking lot at a time is going to take a long time.
davcocom
Active Member
I don't think the issue is the size; it's maybe a bit of a lack of vision, and that's not fully a Westrich thing. I think the city should have some guidelines on materiality and design for these buildings as well. For instance, here's a building in the University area in Calgary, you can see that it is also a 6-storey wood frame, but Westrich (and all the other developers doing 6-storey wood frame buildings throughout the city atm) are overusing cementitious panels. This is a good example of how a better cladding ratio (more brick) can have a huge impact on the final product without overcomplicating the design.
Out of Towner
Active Member
Thanks for posting the pictures davcocom. Hope that you don't get accused and shamed by the gatekeepers of being off topic. A partial brick facade can be incorporated onto this building because unlike the Westrich location, a master plan gives the University District developer clarity on design standards and an assurance that their next door neighbor can't put up a shack and devalue their project. One would expect that Westrich compared the cost of a brick facade to a variety of claddings and decided on the more budget friendly panels - just in case.
Barnaby
Senior Member
Yeah seriously Westrich. Can we atleast match the brick of the surrounding buildings? This was done exceptionally well with Ultima and Encore.
We know you can do it.
We know you can do it.
Barnaby
Senior Member
I know money is an object, but come on. Atleast copy the nice side of West Garneau.
