641 replies to this topic

[Jackerbie]

^ Yes, it was a two-phase project from the beginning, with the corner being developed first. The difference now is that the DP drawings only reference Phase 1, so we don't know exactly what to expect when the project is built out.

[Kapten Kapsell]

 

This is the most recent design from March 2018 (the prior design was from January 2018).

The development permit application is going to Council tomorrow evening (Thursday May 24).

Edited by Kapten Kapsell, 23 May 2018 - 07:14 AM.

[Jackerbie]

Aaaand it looks like just about everything else, but with cortan steel cladding instead of teal spandrel

[aastra]

The old town would be awesome if only there were some new apartment buildings that look like old apartment buildings in Saanich.

 

Seriously, what has happened here? When new buildings in the old town reference heritage they should be referencing "old town" buildings, yes? Not 1970s apartment blocks from the neighbourhoods or the suburbs?

[Nparker]

Wow! From inventive and different to suburban and bland. The latest design makes zero effort to reflect its environment. Pam will love it.

[punk cannonballer]

Doesn'tworks: A Curious Urban Dichotomy That Sucks and Blows at Once.

[Rob Randall]

The whole concept stems from a form resembling a converted factory-type structure. Like an old loft warehouse, fitting into the industrial old neighbourhood.

 

Now it's a confused muddle. It doesn't know what to be. Design by committee. Everybody meant well but the result lacks cohesion and intent.

[Nparker]

...Everybody meant well...

But did they? Who was objecting to the original, more industrial design proposed for this location?

Edited by Nparker, 23 May 2018 - 08:28 AM.

[jonny]

It's an attractive low rise condo building, but the design does not make sense at all downtown. 

[Jackerbie]

But did they? Who was objecting the original, more industrial design proposed for this location?

 

Minutes from the first Advisory Design Panel meeting: http://www.victoria....ly 26, 2017.pdf

 

Minutes from the second ADP meeting: http://www.victoria....ry 28, 2018.pdf

 

Council asked for balconies and larger windows at the COTW meeting on Oct 5, 2017. There was concern that the building looked too institutional.

[punk cannonballer]

Council asked for balconies and larger windows at the COTW meeting on Oct 5, 2017.

 

This makes sense. Everyone should be afforded equal opportunity to sit at home, indoors or out, and not see the Sooke Hills.

[Nparker]

...Council asked for balconies and larger windows at the COTW meeting on Oct 5, 2017. There was concern that the building looked too institutional.

I argue then that Council did not mean well, if it felt that a building in this part of the city needed to look like every other low-rise condo project.

[Baro]

This building with a very clear design goal of looking industrial to fit into a historic industrial area just looks too industrial.  Can you make it look more suburban, make it look like every wood-frame apartment from the last 40 years?  AH, much better.

[zoomer]

This is a frickin disaster! And what’s with the hanging posts? Are we bringing back capital punishment?

[aastra]

I wonder, if the suburban version had been the original proposal would it have been refined over time to be more like the industrial version? The entire process just seems so arbitrary to me. What's the goal? Does anybody know? Tweaking for the sake of tweaking?

 

I think about the ground floor of the latest incarnation of the rental proposal for Quadra and Johnson and I wonder how appropriateness is being determined.

[Nparker]

...And what’s with the hanging posts?...

They are practically the only design element left from the original proposal. I imagine they will be the next to go.

[aastra]

 

...what’s with the hanging posts?

 

Pretty sure those were there from the beginning. Every step of the way, somebody thought it was important to keep them.

[aastra]

 

I imagine they will be the next to go.

 

What?? And totally change it?

[Nparker]

...And what’s with the hanging posts?..

They are practically the only design element left from the original proposal. I imagine they will be the next to go.

What?? And totally change it?

If there's even the slightest chance they will block Pam's view of the Sooke Hills as she drives by this project, the posts are toast.

[aastra]

"Toast" would be a cool name for a condo building. When you walk by you could point to it and say, "That building is Toast."

 

Edit:

For some reason this building in Australia is called "The Toaster" but I'm not sure that I get it...

Edited by aastra, 23 May 2018 - 12:44 PM.