[Victoria - Jubilee] Turner Building redevelopment | Residential; retail | 6-storeys

Here is a proposed version of the new Turner Building by Alan Lowe Architects. The building on the right is the 2020 Richmond Medical Building.

That just might not please a single person.

Maybe it's just an unflattering rendering.

Here is a proposed version of the new Turner Building by Alan Lowe Architects. The building on the right is the 2020 Richmond Medical Building.

 

Turner 3.jpg

Other than preserving the ability to build right out to the sidewalk, there is nothing worth saving in the old building.

Looks cool to me. Lots of glass at street level. Worst case scenario for the unknown grey material is stucco which is not that bad given the glass surrounding it. Too bad the neighbourhood will never go for that height. 

Other than preserving the ability to build right out to the sidewalk, there is nothing worth saving in the old building.

I agree.  Would it set some kind of terrible precedent if council granted the building "special" new zoning, that lets a new building have zero setbacks, as long as it meets design guidelines?

Other than preserving the ability to build right out to the sidewalk, there is nothing worth saving in the old building.

and now you know why they are trying to save the original building

Too bad the neighbourhood will never go for that height.

Would it set some kind of terrible precedent if council granted the building "special" new zoning, that lets a new building have zero setbacks, as long as it meets design guidelines?

It sure wouldn't be terrible. It would be terrific and it should be automatic. We're talking about the city's historic/established built form here. Do we want to preserve it or don't we?

and now you know why they are trying to save the original building

I know, but isn't there a better way?  Like admitting the existing building is not really worth keeping, and that keeping it is only really trying to get around the rules for setbacks and demolition.  A better way forward?

I know, but isn't there a better way?  Like admitting the existing building is not really worth keeping, and that keeping it is only really trying to get around the rules for setbacks and demolition.  A better way forward?

If they're so bonkers about the look of the existing building they could easily replicate that with modern construction, and tuck some parking underground in the process. 

I hope the final plays with the art-deco style a bit more, even on the upper floors.  The modern top looks mashed onto the old bottom, and while I don't think they need to look the same, a bit more imagination on the upper stories would be cool.

I think it looks pretty good!

I predict 0.1% will be left of the original building.

That's kind of what I mean, in order to have that addition up top, they will have to build a steel framework inside the existing walls.  Why bother?

Here is another angle.

Looks better from this angle.

That looks even better. This will be a pretty striking addition to the neighbourhood.