522 replies to this topic

[Torrontes]

Get serious. The Oaks building was called a "tower" at six stories, and they only squeaked through approvals after a long battle.

 

Besides, size isn't everything. In fact, the market for these buildings is largely because they are not 20 story cookie cutter towers, and they offer a transition to a low rise, residential neighbourhood.

[Torrontes]

[Torrontes]

The latest project update from Abstract says "Oaks roof screwing almost complete". 

 

I could't find a permit for that.

 

 

[zoomer]

nice shots Torrontes - I assume you the crane operator?  Along Fort street those Gary oaks are crazy close to the building.  I remember protestors saying that the root systems of those would be destroyed and the trees would eventually die.  Still, I'm sure they can plant a few more here and there, I'm just happy that instead of a vacant parcel of land there will be dozens and dozens of new families living downtown, with a greatly reduced environmental footprint.  My pic from the other day.

 

[aastra]

The proximity to the oak trees reminds me of the new buildings on Christmas Hill. I would love it, being able to look right out onto the branches of those trees.

 

 

Along Fort street those Gary oaks are crazy close to the building.  I remember protestors saying that the root systems of those would be destroyed and the trees would eventually die.

 

Methinks they're probably right about the trees eventually dying, but otherwise it seems like we can't make up our minds re: the deleterious effects of large buildings close to oak trees. Prior to the chopping fetish going into overdrive, those trees used to be right up against schools and large houses and modern apartment buildings all over town. They still are, in many places.

[Nparker]

 

Methinks they're probably right about the trees eventually dying

All living things eventually die.

[aastra]

Jokes are always funnier when they're explained in full.

[Glen]

Plant more trees wherever possible

[aastra]

21st-century faux-environmentalists are generally opposed to that approach. Whenever the possibility of planting more oak trees or arbutus trees is raised, the response is always the same: it's a technical impossibility, those trees aren't the ideal species for the local environment, those trees are infrastructure-unfriendly, those trees are unsafe, etc.

[zoomer]

Why even consider planting a half dozen Garry Oaks here in case they die? Would have been better off to leave the land the way it was. Instead fall a hundred or so less popular trees so this could be built in a less sensitive and important area like Metchosin or something. Even on ALR land because then ZERO trees would need to be cut down.. aha! Besides not many people who live near here go to Metchosin anyways, so it doesn't even count.

[aastra]

 

...less popular trees...

 

You're saying life is just a tree-popularity contest? Let me guess: the poplar trees always win and the un-poplar trees always lose?

[zoomer]

Gosh, I'm so careless with my words! Let me clarify Aastra- we all know Garry Oaks are an important local poplar tree (not popular - my spelling mistake, plus a lot of people don't like them because they look scary, especially in the winter). So, where was I.. ah right, Garry Oaks are at the top of the poplar pecking order, they're 100 percent poplar, while other trees, like cedar, alder, Douglas fir (originally cross bred by Sir James Douglas) are less than 100 percent poplar.. just like a mixed breed dog. But they still have uses, like firewood and stuff.

[Citified.ca]

And back from street level, August 6

 

 

 

 

[Torrontes]

 

What happened to the "Stunning exterior façade of custom textured brick". All the renderings originally showed light gray tones, not the melange of dark brown colours on the Cypress building.

 

I think the brick colour detracts from the AI.

 

 

[Mike K.]

In that rendering you’re looking at the Oaks, by it’s the Cypress that’s in the photo.

[aastra]

Even so, the colour of the brick would seem to be darker than depicted in the illustrations. Not a big deal but personally I think the lighter stuff in the illustrations looks better.

[Glen]

Would thinking be this project will be complete possibly before the fall/winter of 2021 as first targeted?

[Glen]

[Torrontes]

East side of Cypress looking towards front entrance.

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[Torrontes]

Brickwork proceeding on Oaks.

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