685 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

July 31

 

[Nparker]

It seems to be taking a long time to close in the top floor. Interesting that it is metal construction on this level rather than reinforced concrete.

 

Any chance that 1088 will start before 1075 is 100% finished?

[MarkoJ]

September 1st

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[Nparker]

What a huge impact this project has in this part of downtown.

[johnk]

What a huge impact this project has in this part of downtown.

Especially for those who bought Mondrian north side. Their resaleability got vaporized.

Edited by johnk, 05 September 2017 - 09:38 AM.

[aastra]

Mondrian residents do not have access to the roof, right?

[G-Man]

Especially for those who bought Mondrian north side. Their resaleability got vaporized.

I don't think that is true over the longer term.

 

Once we see the current set of buildings finish. Harris Green is going to be a completely different place. It is going to have a vibe that simply has never existed before and I suspect that it will become more popular. Eventually there is not going to be room to keep building in Harris Green and condo prices will reflect that. 

[johnk]

G-Man,
I dunno about that. North side Mondrian units on the lower floors are spitting distance from the new build and will never have any light. Neighbourhood is improving overall but IMO there won't be much enjoyment living in one of those units.

[Nparker]

Especially for those who bought Mondrian north side. Their resaleability got vaporized.

Not to mention their view of Wellburn's!

 

The residents of the Mondrian should have lobbied to have a large Garry Oak planted on the 1075 site instead of a rental building.

[aastra]

 

Especially for those who bought Mondrian north side. Their resaleability got vaporized.

 

 

Once we see the current set of buildings finish. Harris Green is going to be a completely different place. It is going to have a vibe that simply has never existed before and I suspect that it will become more popular.

 

Methinks you're both right. Views from your unit are of supreme importance when the neighbourhood itself lacks identity and unique appeal, but once the neighbourhood develops identity and cachet then being part of it will be just as important as views if not more so (maybe not the highest views, but definitely the views from single-digit levels). Some bozo on this very board was rambling on about this back in the day.

 

From 2010:
 

 

[the "ivory towers" phase] is all about the views. Nobody moves into the Songhees because it's an interesting neighbourhood. The Songhees is nothing. It's merely a place to put your condo so you can enjoy the view.

--

Why is Cook Street/Fairfield the densest neighbourhood in Victoria? Because the neighbourhood is its own reward. Hardly anyone has a view in Cook Street/Fairfield. There are no tall buildings there. And yet it's the densest neighbourhood. Has been for a long time. It's not about ivory towers there.

--

Many folks... will be especially interested in "ivory towers" living, for sure. But you know you've really made it when locals place a high value on the neighbourhoods themselves, regardless of whether or not they're living in a penthouse.

[aastra]

That said, methinks there still should have been more space between this new building and the Mondrian, and methinks rooftop access for the residents of the Mondrian would be a big plus to help mitigate the effects of any new developments on adjacent properties.

[aastra]

Apologies in advance to Bingo for methinking out loud.

[Nparker]

...there still should have been more space between this new building and the Mondrian...

But it would likely have been a battle to get a taller slimmer building approved, n'est-ce pas?

And if the Mondrian residents don't like it now, wait until 1088 Johnson is complete; then two sides will be "view-less". Of course, this is what happens when arbitrary height restrictions are more important than creative uses of density distribution.

[johnk]

I dont think anyone bought Mondrian north side lower floors for the views. They wanted a place downtown but not to live in a coffin that gets no sunlight or sky.
One reason cafes and pubs flourish in european cities is because so many apartments are small and dark. People dont want to spend much time at home. They have to pay money to be in a brighter more cheerful place or go to a park which is not always convenient.
Good luck to the Mondrian owners who want to sell and move on.

[jonny]

And yet new Mondrian owners have paid significantly more for their units purchased in 2017 than original buyers paid...odd. 

[johnk]

There are views in CSV/FF, maybe not panoramas but many houses and apts have decent tree-height views. I'd rather see trees than have concrete an arm's length away.
I think CoV was derelict in approving buildings that close to others

[johnk]

And yet new Mondrian owners have paid significantly more for their units purchased in 2017 than original buyers paid...odd.

They are not all boxed in. I wonder though if any north side units have sold since the new build was approved and started.

[jonny]

Yes, I know somebody who bought on the north side. They paid A LOT more than the unit originally sold for. 

[johnk]

Yes, I know somebody who bought on the north side. They paid A LOT more than the unit originally sold for.

Wow! Recently?

[Downtownguy99]

Looks as though the crane at 1075 is coming down today? Did not think they were this far along.....just watching them set up the other crane in the lot at 1088 Johnson.....