Search: Type: Posts; User: SP!RE

Really?

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/Uptown/BarrelYards/2013/BarrelYards%20-%20May%2016,%202013%20-%203a%20R.jpg

Read my post again.

First I mention the condo tower, then I mention the apartment building.

I'm worried about the condo tower if those panels are supposed to be the final pre-cast. Look at those gaps-- some of the panels don't even seem to fit together properly.

Also, I really hope...

I really don't think spandrel glass has hurt the look of this development much, to be honest. I've seen much worse applications of spandrel. And it looks much better than the42 in that regard.
...

I'm not expecting a "Da Vinci". I study architecture, and I know that things can be done better than this on a realistic budget.

This is so incredibly far from what I consider an acceptable design...

Some brick, composite cladding materials, and even wood would have made this building so much better.

The forms and shapes at work on it look good but the materials absolutely killed it. Bland,...

I'll admit the scale of those townhouses is looking promising, and the precast is a much nicer colour than suggested by the renderings in which it was oddly "white".

The texture of the precast...

Great update, especially the pic. looking down on it from Bauer.

This is exactly the type of midrise development (modern, brick-clad, retail along the street) that I look forward to seeing more of...

Hopefully that's the case. It's a brutal rendering (no transparencies or anything) so perhaps the main floor isn't portrayed accurately.

I don't agree at all that the roofline is well-defined or architecturally interesting. What about it do you feel is successful?!

I also don't think the NY Towers in North York are a flattering...

The sheer bulk of this tower's floorplate makes me feel as though it would have been more desirable to construct a shorter midrise project, or an equally tall but much slimmer point tower.

It's a...

That blue-ish colour in the rendering is the least appealing colour they could possibly have chosen for their rendering, but obviously it's inaccurate and there is a notice on that same image...

How secure is it to add my address into my profile? I feel a bit uneasy about entering my address onto my profile.

I didn't spend WW$27, I meant to say WW$25 of Uptown BIA dollars and then I...

I am really impressed by the concept of the rewards program, but I've got to be honest, I find the shop to be very confusing and difficult to use.

I just tried redeeming $27... my balance is now...

The debate doesn't have to be reduced to attractive fully-glazed buildings vs. unattractive pre-cast (BarrelYards) buildings.

We should be demanding buildings that are both environmentally...

I'd have to see plans to know what the functionality of the spaces being created here are.

My problem is exactly what I said before... they've just tacked stuff onto it endlessly (especially those...

The podium is horrible and I'm shocked that an architect or intern-architect was responsible for it.

Even if this was a first draft, those mouldings all over the place, for one, are inexcusable.
...

More whinging and whining about unions; that seems to be the "thing" these days!

Ensuring that workers are treated properly is worth extra costs, IMO. Your bias, however, is fairly clear, given...

Very interesting!

We sure didn't have to wait long to hear that news (since the sale of the property was announced a day or two ago.)

Whatever happens to the building, I really hope the round...

What's this looking like now, folks?

Nothing has changed. As was planned all along, the base of the apartment towers facing Father David Bauer Drive will be live-work units.

Given the surprisingly decent stone precast they've used on the back portion facing the Rec Centre, I can only hope/assume that the taupe stucco-type panels above are some sort of insulation board.
...

In these sort of situations, it's best to create a healthy contrast with the old building so as not to end up with an addition that looks like it's trying to replicate or match the old structure's...

Can someone in KW pretty please take a walk along Father David Bauer Drive and get us some nice close-ups of the work on the apartment building, condo, and maybe even the hotel while you're at it?
...

I think once the brick is cleaner post-construction it will look much better. Although I do agree, it would be nicer if it had a bit more colour.

I'm still a big fan of this project though. Easily...

I like the scale and the inclusion of retail and the desire for it to contribute to an urban streetwall (and the setback on the top floor) but I struggle with the look of the building on its site...

I rescind my previous comments. The new rendering = nothing more than garbage.

King Line? (To be joined by future lines on other streets?)

A design that fits the space? I'm not sure it does.

It responds very poorly to Bauer across the street (lacks retail, etc.), and the architecture of the project itself (especially the towers) is...

I'd like to put a vote in for extending the "iXpress" name to this LRT system. It's already established so why not? Why do we need to start a new brand all over again, especially if it's going to...

urbandreamer, you really don't like taking pics. of projects up-close do you.

Ooh, pictures please!!! :)

Awesome update! It's coming along nicely! I can't tell from the above shots... is the roof still going to consist of two angled planes or is it now a flat roof? (I hope they kept the design from the...

Isn't it a good height for someone in a wheelchair to be able to use while sitting in their wheelchair? I could be very wrong though.

At four floors up there's no need to protect people from the wind, in my view. At that height you'd may as well not block off the view with a big "wall" like that when a railing would do just fine....

You're saying that corner is too dense for many people's tastes, yet you also call it "cavernous" and "windswept"? I certainly don't follow your logic.

I think people who want to live in a...

I just purchased 10 Uptown BIA Dollars from the WW Shop. But how do I get them into my hands?

Really neat program btw! Just confused about how I can get them. :)

It's better than a lot of the crappy apartment buildings built in our Region but I'm not going to lie, I was hoping for something better here.

The podium curve looks outdated/ trying too hard and...

Great update but can we see it in the context of the exterior of the mall? (Any photos from standing further back?)

I'm not sure I'd call those midrise blocks' architecture "iconic" but it is at least handsome!

This development really should have a grocery store and other amenities that residents can easily...

My dream for this site would be that they would bring in Teeple Architects or someone along those lines.

Either way, I hope they hire a reputable architect who can give us a solid project that...

Excellent update! A great mixed-use project for Uptown and I think it will look quite handsome when all is said and done!

Great update!

The apartment building isn't looking very architectural but it's exciting knowing how many more people will live Uptown as a result of its construction.

The condo on the other...

The rendering at the top of the page is the latest and most accurate rendering to what we are seeing built on the site. The condo towers are point towers, slimmer than other towers on the site, and...

It appears that they are staining the light grey precast on the hotel to a slightly tan colour.

I'm not too happy with the massing or architecture (or lack thereof) of the apartment building but...

Beautiful update. Thank you! :)

What an absolute mess. Those stucco pillars along the side are just awful, too. Oi. :(

Commieblock :RpS_thumbdn:

Great update of 117 King St. West! I love the smooth glass facade they are using... it looks great framed by the old stone facade.

Great updates everyone!

The details on this one look good... the black and white striped precast cladding, the glass we've seen so far, even the garage door all look nice and crisp and modern....