302 replies to this topic

[Kapten Kapsell]

Demolition of the existing Crystal Court Motel will be underway soon.

[jonny]

Hallelujah!

[Bingo]

Demolition of the existing Crystal Court Motel will be underway soon.

 

What! They only just boarded it up.

[Nparker]

What! They only just boarded it up.

10 years ago. 

[Nparker]

Demolition of the existing Crystal Court Motel will be underway soon.

In its prime ca. 1964

[Kungsberg]

Demolition of the existing Crystal Court Motel will be underway soon.

 

Yesterday I noticed they had cut down the half-dozen or so trees along the Belleville St sidewalk, and were in the process of putting up high chain-link fencing along at least 2 sides of the property (where there was only a waist-high railing-type fence) along Douglas St and Blanchard St.

 

Hope these are good signs!

[Kapten Kapsell]

Interior demolition of the old motel is underway, so perhaps excavation will be underway before Labour Day?

[aastra]

Hadn't seen this angle before...

 

In the combined complex there will be 131 rental units and 42 condominium units, and all are designated as senior housing (the agreement with the city specifically defines senior as those 65 years of age or more). To allay fears of some that in the future the housing might migrate from providing senior housing, the agreement also specifically mentions "perpetual availability of rental units for seniors."

https://www.jamesbay...omplex-approved

Edited by aastra, 11 August 2017 - 07:09 PM.

[aastra]

 

To allay fears of some that in the future the housing might migrate from providing senior housing...

 

That's a terrifying prospect, for sure.

[aastra]

Re: that overhead rendering, isn't it goofy that the newest building on that block is going to have the least interesting roofline?

Edited by aastra, 12 August 2017 - 10:37 AM.

[Nparker]

I think they should rename this project "The Compromise" in homage to all the better proposals that preceded it.

[Bingo]

Re: that overhead rendering, isn't it goofy that the newest building on that block is going to have the least interesting roofline?

 

 Think of the seagulls that will love it.

[Hotel Mike]

That is an interesting angle. Notice how they chose high overhead western sunlight, so that it appears the taller building hardly casts a shadow. I wonder how it will affect the lawn bowlers, and St.Ann's. I assume the compromise was that the part of the building at Douglas and Belleville would be low, so they could have higher levels in the tower. Also, if they actually have a left turn into the parking lot from Belleville, that is going to mess up some traffic big time. Let's hope they make cars enter only from Belleville going east.

[aastra]

 

To allay fears of some that in the future the housing might migrate from providing senior housing, the agreement also specifically mentions "perpetual availability of rental units for seniors."

 

Just imagine if the rental market ever evolves and they need to make an adjustment to allow younger renters (you know, 55+ instead of 65+). Come on, since when was this property ever supposed to be the exclusive domain of the elderly? Since never. And yet now it's so. It's all just so silly, the way these supposed principles and priorities are plucked out of thin air.

[Citified.ca]

173-units of seniors rentals and condos to rise at Douglas and Belleville streets

http://victoria.citi...701-belleville/

[Kungsberg]

Demolition has started of the Crystal Court motel

 

http://www.vicnews.c..._medium=twitter

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[Cityguy]

Another example of, what I'll refer to as "Victoria Blandness"  Yet another square block building with little, or no, redeeming architectural significance. While I recognize the need for seniors housing SURELY the developer and the City of Victoria could have agreed upon something that would add some flair to this very significant area of downtown.  A BIG thumbs-down on this one.

[Nparker]

Another example of, what I'll refer to as "Victoria Blandness"  Yet another square block building with little, or no, redeeming architectural significance. While I recognize the need for seniors housing SURELY the developer and the City of Victoria could have agreed upon something that would add some flair to this very significant area of downtown.  A BIG thumbs-down on this one.

I "affectionately" refer to Tapestry as "Boxy on Belleville". I suppose this is what you get when you have to appease too many people. Perhaps if I had never seen this proposal I might be less disenchanted with what is being built here.

Edited by Nparker, 22 October 2017 - 10:08 AM.

[Hotel Mike]

You're exactly right Nparker. I remember how bold that proposal from Westbank was. And if I remember correctly, the triangle shaped building would have housed a new Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Alas, look what we're getting now. 

[Mike K.]

Yes, that is correct. It was to have served as a downtown satellite gallery. The best part was detractors who said it wasn't quite right as a free satellite gallery, that it should be bigger/better.

 

The crickets have since retired from chirping on that front.