Sales Waterscape | 38 , 38 m | 12 , 12 fl | Tower 1 Complete

[Urbanomicon]

Our councillors thing its a viable alternative to good products like stone.

This is why we can't have nice things.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

The article seems full of bias and people being afraid or restricted from speaking out. People (i.e. architecture prof) seem afraid to speak their true opinions due to their relationship to the developer.

[DHLawrence]

Whoever wrote the editorial wasn't afraid to speak out:

Waterscape: keep it grand

As developments go, Waterscape on the Grand River condominiums seems to have the ear of city council.

The riverfront condominium is a luxury building which seems to be attempting to “simplify” its design while construction is ongoing. Simplify is a kinder word than save money.

Not that saving money is against the law, it just seems that the project – supposedly the gateway to Galt – seems to be removing the welcome mat.

Its request to council includes changing the size of windows and railings. But the most questionable refinement is swapping the stone treatment on the first four floors for stucco and eliminating or scaling back some of the building’s finer exterior details.

Cambridge takes pride in its look. It fights for heritage sites and historic continuity. Changing the exterior from stone work to stucco will be an eyesore.

Understandably, building tenants just want to move in. Some have been waiting years for the luxury units to be ready. Another delay to sort out simplifications is the last thing they want.
Once completed, Waterscape will be a city landmark. Developers should be respectful of that role and not cheapen the view.

[jay]

I knew the windows were made smaller. This is ridiculous, the builder is saving a ton of cash on this and everyone who bought a unit are paying the same amount. A amount that was determined with big windows and stone. The fact that the development has been delayed is no reason to let this slide. I waited 5 years to move into Bauer Lofts and I wouldn't have wanted to move in sooner, if say they decided to make it stucco or redesign it cheaper. If I was the owners of Waterscape I would demand money back or I would walk. Anyone who pays the same for their unit is a idiot. I would be consulting my lawyer ASAP.

Btw it's a insult to call this luxury now.. Maybe luxury in terms of Cambridge condo's go..and the University of Waterloo Architecture Prof should be embarrassed to say it's fine. He probably doesn't want to rock the boat on one of the few developments downtown Galt has going. I find it hard to believe he will use this building as a example of good architecture in a speech.

Kinda venting here mostly cause I had bigger hopes for this, as I used to live in the area.

[RangersFan]

I share everyone else's opinion here, this is ridiculous. As well as Bauer123 had I purchased a unit would demand money back or walk away. Would making major changes to the building design void parts of the ownership contract? I really liked the original design of this project, but now it looks like it could turn into a Waterloo stucco student box (not as bad but still).

[DHLawrence]

Maybe luxury in terms of Cambridge condo's go..

The only condos in Cambridge I'd give that honour are Black Forest and Kressview Springs. All others aspire to be condos. The only thing luxury about this is the riverfront view, and if the Grand ever overflows those levees, that's only a luxury if you don't have to leave until they recede.

[jay]

I share everyone else's opinion here, this is ridiculous. As well as Bauer123 had I purchased a unit would demand money back or walk away. Would making major changes to the building design void parts of the ownership contract? I really liked the original design of this project, but now it looks like it could turn into a Waterloo stucco student box (not as bad but still).

They can only change something if they will replace it with equal value. I can't see how smaller windows and stucco vs stone equates to equal value.

[Spokes]

I knew the windows were made smaller. This is ridiculous, the builder is saving a ton of cash on this and everyone who bought a unit are paying the same amount. A amount that was determined with big windows and stone. The fact that the development has been delayed is no reason to let this slide. I waited 5 years to move into Bauer Lofts and I wouldn't have wanted to move in sooner, if say they decided to make it stucco or redesign it cheaper. If I was the owners of Waterscape I would demand money back or I would walk. Anyone who pays the same for their unit is a idiot. I would be consulting my lawyer ASAP.

You and me both

Btw it's a insult to call this luxury now.. Maybe luxury in terms of Cambridge condo's go..and the University of Waterloo Architecture Prof should be embarrassed to say it's fine. He probably doesn't want to rock the boat on one of the few developments downtown Galt has going. I find it hard to believe he will use this building as a example of good architecture in a speech.

Kinda venting here mostly cause I had bigger hopes for this, as I used to live in the area.

I too was kind of surprised that the prof was so ok with it. You'd think someone in his position would be trying to push for better projects not worse.

[Urbanomicon]

They can only change something if they will replace it with equal value. I can't see how smaller windows and stucco vs stone equates to equal value.

Maybe the tenants now get gold toilet seats.

[RangersFan]

Maybe the tenants now get gold toilet seats.

But wouldn't that add more weight to the building? hahah

[Urban_Enthusiast86]

You'd think, of all places, CAMBRIDGE would be concerned about new development being compatible with the downtown cores of this region. I don't mind the height, but the use of stucco is downright embarassing and it seems like a lot of buyers have been gravely misled. I smell a lawsuit...

[Spokes]

You'd think, of all places, CAMBRIDGE would be concerned about new development being compatible with the downtown cores of this region. I don't mind the height, but the use of stucco is downright embarassing and it seems like a lot of buyers have been gravely misled. I smell a lawsuit...

Im not so sure. At least from the sounds of the article. It seems to imply that purchasers seem to be ok with it as long as it moves forward.

[smably]

Im not so sure. At least from the sounds of the article. It seems to imply that purchasers seem to be ok with it as long as it moves forward.

On the other hand, I'm sure buyers want their units to be completed. Maybe buyers are keeping quiet about a lawsuit until after they get occupancy?

It might be a bad idea to file a lawsuit against the developer when your unit is still being constructed. As a buyer, you would have to weigh the cost of an ugly stucco building versus even more delays...

[Spokes]

On the other hand, I'm sure buyers want their units to be completed. Maybe buyers are keeping quiet about a lawsuit until after they get occupancy?

It might be a bad idea to file a lawsuit against the developer when your unit is still being constructed. As a buyer, you would have to weigh the cost of an ugly stucco building versus even more delays...

Yup, that's a good point.

Regardless, it doesn't bode well for sales of phase 2.

[UrbanWaterloo]

June 4, 2010

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 15, 2010











Galt 'Skyline'

[DHLawrence]

They have a lot more cladding on now; doesn't look totally hideous.

[Galtonian]

Drove by the other day and it's starting to come together now. The stucco work isn't as bad as I thought it would be but I would prefer to see stone like many of the areas houses and buildings. Thank goodness it doesn't look like a cheap student building :-)

[jay]

Drove by the other day and it's starting to come together now. The stucco work isn't as bad as I thought it would be but I would prefer to see stone like many of the areas houses and buildings. Thank goodness it doesn't look like a cheap student building :-)

I haven't seen this recently but for what people paid they are getting ripped off with no stone and all stucco. It's a shame the project came to this.

It might not be as bad as some of the student housing buildings but they shouldn't even be compared in the first place. The fact that they are makes this a fail.

[UrbanWaterloo]

October 30, 2010



Phase 2


Entrance


Model Suite #1




Model Suite #2


Various








Riverviews