[James Bay] Hilton Garden Inn | 9-storeys | Canceled in 2007
#41
Posted 05 April 2008 - 03:38 PM
#42
Posted 09 April 2008 - 07:33 PM
#43
Posted 17 April 2008 - 10:04 AM
^ I think that was the original problem - it didn't. See TC article above...
Didn't it go to ADP shortly thereafter?
The design panel will look at the development the first week of August, and report back to council Aug. 23.
#44
Posted 03 March 2014 - 05:04 PM
Is it just me or was the extremely negative reaction undeserved?
http://moorearchitec...lton-Photom.jpg
Better than average for James Bay, at least in that image.
#45
Posted 03 March 2014 - 05:24 PM
I think Councillors' point at the time was that "better than average" didn't cut it on Belleville.
Times Colonist:
"It looks like a Days Inn and that is not being complimentary," said Coun. Helen Hughes.
"Madoff said the Inner Harbour site is far too important to accept the first design through the door.
"What I personally want is a really sleek, well-considered, well- designed contemporary building that shows the world that we have contemporary architecture that holds its own with our traditional architecture," Madoff said."
"This is on the Inner Harbour and I was looking for more of an inspiring design, to a certain extent, something that stands out and enhances and enriches. The design on this doesn't strike me as that," [Councillor Dean] Fortin said.
"This building, however special it may be by itself, is not working in the context of the Inner Harbour," Coun. Geoff Young said, who called it "a 1970s block."
Victoria News:
"It would be an understatement to say I'm disappointed," offered Coun. Pam Madoff. "It's a world-class site... I just wonder why we can't aspire to something beyond mediocrity."
Commenting on the left-leaning tendencies of voters in that part of town, Coun. Dean Fortin quipped: "I can't see why James Bay would object to the NDP orange. I was looking for more of an inspired design."
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#46
Posted 03 March 2014 - 05:35 PM
They do love interesting modern architecture, that crowd. Buildings like Shutters, Shoal Point, the Falls... not to mention the glass triangle proposal (on Belleville) and the art gallery proposal (also on Belleville).
#47
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:02 PM
#48
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:16 PM
Isn't that the orange proposal? It has an orange section on the south side. Or south end, I should say.
http://moorearchitec...-Picture-10.jpg
Edited by aastra, 03 March 2014 - 06:18 PM.
#49
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:18 PM
I think Councillors' point at the time was that "better than average" didn't cut it on Belleville.
And yet most of these same councillors approve less than average buildings all over the city: that grey cube by Beacon Hill Park and the truncated "tower" on Hillside come to mind. I am not sure they have the best judgement when it comes to aesthetics.
#50
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:19 PM
Isn't that the orange proposal? It has an orange section on the south side. Or south end, I should say.
http://moorearchitec...-Picture-10.jpg
I remember seeing a different design
#51
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:24 PM
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#52
Posted 03 March 2014 - 06:31 PM
They're looking for shitty faux heritage along that avenue, I garanntee. Nothing awesome and modern acceptable!
This. Remember how the glassy pyramid proposal for the Admiral's Inn site was received?
#53
Posted 04 March 2014 - 05:42 AM
And on it goes.
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#54
Posted 04 March 2014 - 07:51 AM
Just add some herritage trim and some fake shutters and I'm sure council will be happy. They had a chance for a world-class modern design a couple years ago and they trashed it for being too contemporary. City council is like Goldilocks who isn't even hungry.
- Nparker likes this
#55
Posted 04 March 2014 - 08:06 AM
I don't believe any of that is true. Faux heritage gets routinely trashed at City Hall and criticism of modern architecture like The Falls was limited to form and massing. I recall they were impressed by this design and all Jim Cheng's buildings. Now, the Admiral's Inn pyramid they didn't like. We all agree it was a bold design but was it great architecture? Maybe. I liked it. But that one may have scared them. Generally when it comes to aesthetic issues, council follows Madoff's lead. I can't think of a case where they trashed a great modern design based on the design itself, not height or density,. The pyramid is probably the closest example.
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#56
Posted 04 March 2014 - 08:16 AM
I agree that council that pyramid design was questionable and I also agree that council doesn't poopoo all modern designs. But along this strip, like I said, I am guessing they want more traditional design given its higher profile locale. Council in still in the Ye Olde way of thinking when it comes to how we want to present ourselves to outsiders.
#57
Posted 04 March 2014 - 08:22 AM
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#58
Posted 04 March 2014 - 08:51 AM
Generally when it comes to aesthetic issues, council follows Madoff's lead...
Which is why this paragon of bad taste needs to be removed from council. She's been there since much of the city's heritage architecture was considered contemporary design. A new perspective is sorely needed.
#59
Posted 04 March 2014 - 10:59 AM
...criticism of modern architecture like The Falls was limited to form and massing
Yeah, but can we really expect something like the Falls or Shutters to work at 4 or 5 stories? I'm not just talking about financial viability. I just don't think it's realistic to argue for striking/unusual modern lines and shapes and dramatic presence and whatever else while also insisting that 8 stories is way too tall. Isn't the new tower-that-could-have-been over by Beacon Hill Park a really good example of this? The developer proposed something quite distinctive in a junior highrise format but it got legislated down to a very ordinary box not much larger than a large house. And you're never going to get unusual/expensive materials on the cheap. It just isn't going to happen.
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#60
Posted 04 March 2014 - 11:10 AM
Under those conditions I think the best you're ever going to get is something conservatively/conventionally modern, like the Pier in Sidney, for example. Nice building but it's not doing anything unusual. I'd say the rendering that I linked to above is just about in that same class. Maybe a notch down at most.
http://moorearchitec...lton-Photom.jpg
http://durwest.com/w...06/the-pier.jpg
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